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“Shhh,” Jake said, but he couldn’t help laughing.

Simon consulted his list again. “Greater Oaks Junior High?”

That was the all-girl team. “We’re here,” said their frizzy-haired teacher. She started to stand, but thought better of it. Then she realized that other teachers had stood, so maybe she should, too. She stood back up. “We’re here,” she said again, and sat back down. She was a bundle of nervous energy. Her three students glanced at each other, and Winston could see them rolling their eyes.

Despite the fact that every other team had simply said “here” when called upon, the woman accompanying the next team insisted on introducing herself and all three team members. “I’m Mary Noone, the vice principal of Kennedy Junior High, and these are the school’s three very smart representatives, John Curran, Nicole Drossakis, and Martin Oberlander.”

The boy identified as John Curran said loudly, “And we’re going to kick your butts!” He sat back, smiling.

There was an explosion of derisive laughter in response to this as John’s teacher—or vice principal—leaned over to him, her face darkened with anger. Her reprimands did nothing to wipe the broad, confident smile from his face.

Dmitri Simon tapped the microphone in order to get everyone focused again. When the cacophony had died down, he said, “So there’s some competition for you all, I guess. Let’s see . . . where’s Lincoln Junior High?”

That was Rod Denham’s team. He stood up, adjusted his sportcoat, and announced heartily that the “six-time champions of the local math competition league” were all present. Winston glanced at Mr. Garvey, who was wearing a sour expression.

The Marin School was next. That was another private school, although they were not dressed in the same formal wear as the Demilla students. “Good luck, everyone,” said their teacher, a young man who might have been confused for a high school student. “We’re looking forward to having fun puzzling with you all.”

The next team was from New Easton, which was impressively far away. Their teacher introduced his students as “Mr. Hoffman, Miss Huang, and Mr. Hurley. And I’m Mr. Henry Horn. So I guess we’re Team H.” There was some good-natured laughter.

After that was Winston’s own school, Walter Fredericks Junior High. Mr. Garvey stood and said, “We’re here and ready to win,” and sat back down. Winston tried to look as determined as his teacher, but he doubted he was very intimidating.

The last team was West Meadow Junior High, home of the eccentric Brendan Root. His team was led by the school’s vice principal, a balding, genial man who introduced himself as Carl Lester.

“Okay!” said Simon. “I’m glad we’re all here. I know you’re anxious to get started, so let me tell you what’s going to happen today. You’re going to face six puzzles. The first team to send me the answers to all six puzzles will win fifty thousand dollars for their school.” Everybody already knew what the prize was, but hearing Dmitri Simon say the number out loud added an extra degree of excitement. The room filled with the murmuring of kids wondering what their schools would do with that money. Winston could feel waves of urgency radiating off Mr. Garvey.

Simon smiled out at them. “I have a present for all of you,” he said.

“Potato chips!” someone said loudly, to general laughter.

Simon chuckled. “Maybe we’ll get you some potato chips, too. But right now I have something else.” He gave a little signal, and Simon’s assistants began walking among the audience, holding boxes. They were giving out something.

“One per team,” said Simon. “Just take one.”

A young man handed the “present” to Mr. Garvey. It was covered in protective bubblewrap. Mr. Garvey peeled this away and looked quizzically at what he’d uncovered. He handed it to Winston. Mal and Jake bent in to see what it was.

It was a small handheld computer—a personal digital assistant, maybe—not quite as large as a paperback book. There was a small screen and a keyboard. A stubby gray antenna poked out of the top.

“You’ll need to keep this with you all