Carla Green leaned against the lockers, scrolling through the sign-up sheet on her phone. The STEM Club’s big summer trip—a week-long camp at the university—was almost full. She already knew who she wanted to go, but the harder part would be convincing her.
Elizabeth Wyman.
Elizabeth was sharp, steady, and had built half the robotics team’s wiring harness last semester almost single-handedly. But outside of class, she kept to herself. She always turned down movie nights and beach hangouts, and she’d skipped the spring dance entirely.
Carla spotted her now, sitting cross-legged on a bench in the quiet hallway, scribbling in a notebook.
“Hey, Elizabeth,” Carla said, sliding down onto the bench beside her.
Elizabeth looked up, cautious. “Hi.”
Carla cut to the point. “You should come to camp with us.”
Elizabeth gave a short laugh. “Me? No thanks. I don’t really do group trips.”
“You’d like this one,” Carla pressed. “It’s not just goofing off. We’ll get to work in the labs, build projects, maybe even compete.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Sounds like a lot of late nights and chaos. That’s not me.”
Carla leaned forward. “It’s also a chance to use skills you already have. Remember the motor you rewired at the competition? We could’ve been stuck without you. I want that same focus at camp.”
Elizabeth tilted her head, studying Carla. “Why me? You’ve got plenty of friends in STEM Club.”
“Because you care about the work,” Carla said plainly. “And because I think you’d actually enjoy it once you got there.”
Elizabeth closed her notebook, hugging it to her chest. “I don’t want to be the person who ruins everyone’s fun.”
Carla grinned. “Trust me, you wouldn’t. You’d probably save us when our robot goes rogue.”
That drew the smallest smile from Elizabeth. But still she hesitated.
Carla thought for a moment, then lowered her voice. “Look—I know what it feels like not to want to be in the spotlight. Everyone assumes I’m fine being ‘the leader,’ but half the time I’m just faking confidence. Having someone steady like you there would make me feel better too.”
Elizabeth blinked, caught off guard. “You? Nervous?”
“Totally,” Carla admitted. “I just hide it better.”
For the first time, Elizabeth laughed—a soft, real laugh. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re making this hard to say no to.”
“So don’t,” Carla said, smiling. “Say yes.”
Elizabeth looked down at her notebook, then back at Carla. “Okay. Yes. But if people want to stay up all night singing karaoke, I’m not joining in.”
Carla pumped her fist. “Deal. You can be our reality check.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling when she said, “Fine. Put my name down before I change my mind.”
Carla opened the sign-up sheet on her phone and typed in Elizabeth’s name. She slid it back into her pocket, grinning.
“One More Name” by Nina D. Smith. Published by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. Retelling of “Why Elizabeth Was Chosen” from Fireside Stories for Girls in Their Teens by Margaret W. Eggleston, originally published in 1921.
“One More Name” is best suited for students in grades 5–8, as its middle school setting, realistic dialogue, and themes of friendship and belonging mirror experiences and decisions that readers in this age group often face.
Here are three discussion questions you could use with this story:
- Why do you think Elizabeth was hesitant to accept the invitation? Have you ever been unsure about joining an activity, and what helped you decide?
- Carla works hard to convince Elizabeth to come. Was her approach respectful and supportive, or did it cross a line? How can friends encourage each other without pressuring too much?
- Elizabeth worries about fitting in with the group. How do the choices we make about activities or friends show who we are—and how can those choices change how others see us?
This content is provided under fair use for educational purposes only. Commercial use is strictly prohibited by the creator.
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