Liam could never seem to keep things neat. His backpack was a disaster zone: crumpled homework, empty snack wrappers, half-used notebooks, and tangled earbuds. His locker was even worse. A leaning tower of binders and loose papers threatened to topple every time he opened the door.
His best friend Maya teased him often. “One day, that locker is going to eat you alive,” she said, stepping back as a stack of papers slid onto the hallway floor.
“I know where everything is,” Liam insisted, kneeling to scoop up a math worksheet with a juice stain across the corner.
“Sure you do,” Maya replied.
Liam brushed it off. He was used to being messy. It didn’t seem like a big deal—until the day of the group history presentation.
Liam, Maya, and their classmate Alex had spent two weeks preparing slides about ancient inventions. Each person was responsible for one section, and Liam had promised to bring in the printed handouts for the judges at the school showcase.
The morning of the showcase, he swung open his locker to grab the papers. Instantly, a shower of folders, pens, and gum wrappers spilled out. Liam dug through the pile, heart pounding. Where were the handouts?
Maya appeared at his side. “Don’t tell me.”
Liam’s face turned red. “I printed them. I know I did. They have to be here somewhere.”
Alex rushed over, already dressed neatly for the presentation. “We’re on in five minutes! Where are they?”
Liam’s hands shook as he flipped through wrinkled pages, finding everything but what he needed: last week’s cafeteria menu, a doodle sheet, even his missing science notes. But no handouts.
The three of them hurried to the classroom, Liam carrying only the messy pile he’d managed to scoop up. When their turn came, he stammered through his slides. Without the handouts, the judges struggled to follow along. Alex tried to cover by explaining more, and Maya gave her part confidently, but Liam knew they had lost points because of his mistake.
Afterward, Maya sighed. “We did okay, but we could’ve nailed it if we’d had those handouts.”
Liam’s throat tightened. “I’m sorry. I thought I had them. I didn’t mean to mess it up for everyone.”
Alex crossed his arms. “It’s not just about today. You always say it’s fine, but being this unorganized hurts the whole group.” His words stung, but they were true.
For once, Liam didn’t argue. He just nodded.
That evening, he dumped everything from his backpack onto the floor of his room. The pile was embarrassing—crumbled candy wrappers, loose papers, three different highlighters without caps. He sighed and started sorting.
By the time he finished, his bag was lighter, his notebooks stacked neatly, and his homework finally in one folder. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.
The next morning, Liam showed Maya and Alex his cleaned-out backpack. “I’m going to try harder. No more excuses,” he said.
Maya smiled. “Good. Because next time, you’re printing the handouts again.”
Liam laughed nervously, but this time he meant it. He knew being untidy wasn’t just his problem anymore—it affected the people who counted on him. And he didn’t want to let them down again.
“Lost in the Mess” by Nina D. Smith. Published by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. Retelling of “The Untidy Boy” from The Parkhurst Boys and Other Stories of School Life by Talbot Baines Reed, originally published in 1914.
“Lost in the Mess” is best suited for grades 6–8 because it explores relatable middle school challenges—organization, responsibility, and teamwork—using realistic situations and accessible language that connects with students in this age range.
Discussion Questions
- How did Liam’s untidiness affect not only him but also Maya and Alex?
- Why do you think Liam ignored his messy habits until the presentation went wrong?
- What strategies could Liam use to stay more organized in the future, and which of those strategies could you use in your own life?
Bright Bunny Books 