The Mighty, Mighty Daffodils - At the Game - In Trouble - Choosing a New Mascot - On Flytrap Trail

Sep 21, 2026

A school story follows Amanda Contrerez and the Springfield School Daffodils as she faces trouble after her lion-mascot prank during a basketball game. After being called to the principal’s office, Amanda is tasked with helping select a new mascot through a student suggestion box and a school vote. The committee process ignites lively discussions in class, including debates about whether a plant could be fierce enough, and builds toward an excursion to observe a Venus flytrap in the wild at Carolina Beach State Park.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time31 min

AccessFree to download

At the Game

In Trouble

Choosing α New Mascot

On Flytrap Trail

The Mighty,Mighty Daffodils by Brad Millerillustrated by Anni Matsick The Mighty,Mighty Daffodils by Brad Millerillustrated by Anni Matsick # 码 HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURTSchool Publishers Copyright ◎by Houghton Miffin Harcourt Publishing Company All rights reserved.No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic ormechanical,including photocopying or recording,or by any information storage and retrieval system,without the priorwritten permission of the copyright owner unless such copying is expressly permitted by federal copyright law.Requestsfor permission to make copies of any part of the work should be addressed to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt School Publishers,Attn:Permissions,6277 Sea Harbor Drive,Orlando,Florida 32887-6777. Printed in China ISBN-13:978-0-547-02513-1 ISBN-10:0-547-02513-0 123456780940181716151413121110 | If you have received these materials as examination copies free of charge,Houghton Mifflin Harcourt School Publishers
retains title to the materials and they may not be resold.Resale of examination copies is strictly prohibited. | | --- | Possession of this publication in print format does not entitle users to convert this publication,or any portion of it,intoelectronic format. # At the Game The Springfield School Daffodils were playingbasketball against the Reed School Lions.AmandaContrerez,the team mascot,led a cheer. "LET’S GO,Daffodils!Mighty,mightyDaffodils!” The Lions answered with a cheer of their own. “MOW DOWN the Daffodils!DAFFY,daffyDaffodils!” Amanda groaned.The Lions'mascot wascoming over.He roared and prodded her with a"claw."Amanda stumbled.Then the lion pretendedto lop off her big yellow flower head.It fell downover Amanda's eyes.“Wimp!"laughed the lion. Amanda leads acheer for theDaffodils. Amanda pulls off the lion's head. Amanda angrily yanked her flower head backinto place.Daffodils never got any respect.Butthis was too much!Then she did somethingdumb.She snatched off the lion's head and threwit on the ground. # In Trouble The next morning,Amanda was beckoned tothe principal's office.She was not surprised.Youcan't go around ripping off lions'heads. Principal Williams looked sternly at Amanda."Do you know why you're here?"she asked. “Yes,"Amanda answered.“I'm really sorryabout the lion.What I did was wrong.But I'mtired of being a Daffodil.All the other teamslaugh at us!” Amanda apologizes to Principal Williams. Principal Williams looked slightly less stern."I know,Amanda.I was at the game.The lion waswrong,but so were you.I need your word that youwon't do anything like that again." "I won't,I promise,"said Amanda."But can'twe get a new mascot?Anything would be betterthan a daffodil!” "That's really why I called you here,"saidPrincipal Williams.“We do need a new mascot.I'm putting you in charge of finding one.” “Great!"said Amanda."I think I'll choose..the Tigers!” Principal Williams held up a hand.“Not sofast,Amanda.You don't get to choose the mascotby yourself.” Amanda was disappointed."Oh,"she said. Principal Williams continued."I am makingyou the head of the Mascot Selection Committee,though.Matt Smith and Lily Choi willbe on thecommittee,too." Amanda liked that idea."How will we choosea mascot?"she asked. “Why don't you make a suggestion box?”Principal Williams said."Have students put their ideas into it.Then choosethe best three,and havethe school vote for theone they like best." That night,Amandamade a box and decoratedit with pictures.Amanda makes asuggestion box. # Choosing α New Mascot The next morning,Amanda spoke on theschool intercom."This is Amanda Contrerez,"sheannounced.“Springfield School is going to get anew mascot!We want your ideas!Please put themin the suggestion box in the cafeteria.” In science class,everyone was talking about it.“I’m so glad we don't have to have a stupid plant fora mascot anymore!"said Eliot. “What's wrong with having a

FAQs

What problem starts after Amanda’s actions at the basketball game?

Amanda pulls off the lion’s head during the game, and she is later called to the principal’s office for doing something wrong.

How does the school decide on a new mascot?

Principal Williams has students submit ideas into a suggestion box, then choose the best three and hold a school vote for the top choice.

Why does Mr. Novak suggest the Venus flytrap as a mascot?

He argues it is carnivorous and local, growing in North Carolina and South Carolina, and he hints at a field trip opportunity.

Sep 21, 2026

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