A Collection of Stories - No Jobs Today - Callie and her family face unemployment

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aria

A Collection of Stories “KALEIDOSCOPE” opens with Callie searching for work after a TV plant closure leaves her without an income. Rejection from employers forces her to rely on beans for supper, while her children, Missy and Jimmy, express worry and a desire to help. Missy offers to quit school to work, but Callie refuses, choosing to support education even as financial pressure grows. The narrative then shifts to a hopeful change: an incoming letter from Uncle Jim promises a new possibility.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

1. No Jobs Today

2. A Letter Comes

uson Frommer 9689LLZ06∠SOLEuinos bunOW/IES lauuolZ∠8891WWo893 UNSibPH LieJq!7 jeuobey-BIbA0891S8M ROMM ic A Collection of Stories KALEIDOSCOPE Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2019 with funding fromKahle/Austin Foundation MOVINCSOUTH by Sara Hoskinson Frommer Special thanks to Dorothy Shawhanand Michael Bohdan ISBN 0-88336-275-9 1991 Sara Hoskinson Frommer Published by New Readers PressPublishing Division of Laubach Literacy InternationalBox 131,Syracuse,New York 13210 All rights reserved.No part of this book may bereproduced or transmitted in any form or by any.means,electronic or mechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,or by any informationstorage and retrieval system,without permission inwriting from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America Series Editor:Teddy Norwich Kempster Editor:Maria A.Collis llustrations:Anne Bialke Cover design:Patti DiCarlo Cover illustration:Gerald Russell 9876 543 21 Contents 1. No Jobs Today…………………………………5 2. A Letter Comes…………………………8 3. Jim Helps Callie Move…………10 ………………13 4. Bugs!…………………………… 5. They Sleep at Jim's…………………17 6. The Walls Are Thin…………………20 7. Missy Meets Ted…………………………23 8. I'm Not a Baby!……… ………………26 # 1.No Jobs Today Callie is hunting for work. For years,Callie worked at a bigTV plant.She worked on the linemaking TV sets.And she made goodmoney.But this summer the plantclosed. Callie has been job hunting allsummer.No one wants her. "No jobs today,"they say. “Come back,"they say."We havea waiting list,"they say."Put yourname on the list." Callie puts her name on all thewaiting lists.But she can't wait.Sheneeds a job now.She needs to pay therent.She needs to feed the children. Callie has beans for supper.Again. "Beans again?"says Jimmy.Jimmyis six."I'm sick of beans." "Me,too,"says Missy.Missy is 15. “Me,too,"says Callie."Let's justhope we don't run out of beans.” "I'llhelp,Mama,"says Missy."I'llquit school.I'll work.” “Quit school?"says Callie."Don'tyou talk like that!No child of mineis going to quit school!” "Mama,don't be mad,"says Missy."I just want to help.I'll baby-sit.Idon't have to quit school to baby-sit." “That's my good girl,”says Callie."Thank you,baby."She hugs Missy. “Me,too,"says Jimmy."I'm good,too!” "Yes,you are,"Callie says.Shehugs him."You're a big help." They eat the beans. "Don’t worry,"Callie tells thechildren."I'll find work." But Callie can't stop worrying. # 2.A Letter Comes The next morning,Missy comesrunning. "Look,Mama!A letter!A letterfrom Uncle Jim!” Jim is Callie's brother.Callienamed Jimmy for him.The childrenlove their uncle.Callie loves him,too.But Jim lives far away.He livesdown South. Callie reads the letter to Missy andJimmy. "Dear Callie,"she reads."There'sa new TV plant here.They need you 8

FAQs

Why does Callie struggle to find work in “No Jobs Today”?

The TV plant where Callie worked has closed, and employers refuse her requests. She cannot get hired and needs money urgently.

What conflict arises between Callie and Missy?

Missy wants to quit school so she can work and help the family. Callie insists no child of hers will quit school.

What event changes the tone after Callie’s worries?

The next morning, Missy brings a letter from Uncle Jim, Jim’s the family’s brother living far south. The letter signals a new development and hope.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aria