Stuck at the Top: Dialogue, Description, and Pacing

The View from the Top

1The Ferris wheel at the Clearwater County Fair was taller than any building in Amara's town. She had watched it turn every summer since she was little, but she had never ridden it. This year, Grandpa Teo bought two tickets and held one out to her. "Only if you want to," he said.

2The air smelled like popcorn and sweet kettle corn, and colored lights flashed on every ride. As the line crept forward, Amara's knees bounced. She tried to count the swinging cars above her, but she lost track each time the wheel turned.

3When their turn came, a worker lowered the safety bar across their laps. The car swayed as the wheel lifted them up, past the treetops and past the roof of the goat barn. Then, with a loud clunk, the wheel stopped. Their car hung at the very top.

4The car rocked. Amara gasped. She squeezed the safety bar so hard that her knuckles turned pale. A gust of wind tugged at her ponytail, and far below, the people looked as small as ants. She shut her eyes. One second passed. Then two. Then three.

5Grandpa leaned back as if he were sitting in his favorite armchair. "They stop the wheel so new riders can climb on," he explained in a slow, gentle voice. "It happens every few minutes. Try opening your eyes for just a moment. I think you'll like what you see."

6Amara opened one eye, then the other. The whole fair spread out beneath her like a glowing quilt. Beyond it, the lights of town twinkled, and the lake shimmered in the moonlight. "Grandpa," she whispered, "I can see our street!"

7The rest of the evening flew by. They shared a bag of kettle corn, watched the goat show, and played a ring-toss game. Amara won a tiny stuffed frog.

8As they walked toward the parking lot, Amara stopped and looked back at the Ferris wheel. Then she grabbed Grandpa's hand and tugged him toward the ticket booth. "One more ride," she said. "This time, I want to keep my eyes open the whole way."