Donavan’s Word Jar

Donavan Allen is a third-grader. Many of his friends in class collect things, such as baseball cards, buttons, coins and comics. One day, after reading the word nutrition and liking the feel of it on his tongue, Donavan decides to collect words. At the end of each day, he writes his new words in purple ink on yellow slips of paper and puts them in a jar. He chooses words that sound smart, silly or mysterious. He picks others because he’s heard them uttered in stores or on the radio.

When his word jar begins to overflow, Donavan seeks advice on what to do next. His mom suggests he get a bigger jar, but he’s not sure that will solve the problem. His teacher says he should start his own dictionary, but he thinks that will take too long. Dad suggests filing his words in a box alphabetically, but Donavan is still afraid he will run out of room. As he lies in bed pondering the problem, he feels certain Grandma will have an idea for him. He prepares to visit her bright and early the next day, but Mom says no. Donavan’s little sister, Nikki, is sick, and Donavan needs to watch her. Dad is in the basement working on things for his new business and cannot be disturbed, and Mom has to run to the printer to get Dad’s business cards made. Donavan tries to entertain Nikki while making her stay in bed. Nikki suggests Donavan share some of the words from his word jar and tell her what they mean. When the word lullaby is picked, he sings her to sleep.

Finally, he’s able to visit Grandma at her dismal senior living apartment building. She collects things, too, anything given to her by people she cares about. She suggests Donavan give his words to others, but he’s still not convinced. In the lobby, he realizes he’s forgotten to invite Grandma to dinner and goes back to ask her. By the time he returns to the lobby after asking her, Grandma’s formerly gloomy neighbors are laughing and talking, waving words from the jar that Donavan accidentally left on the counter. Donavan is upset and tries to push through the crowd to get his words back. Then he overhears the conversations around him. He realizes his words are inspiring people and encouraging them to talk to one another. The residents are unusually lively and happy. Donavan feels warm inside. Grandma gives him his grandpa’s old cigar humidor jar to use as he begins a new word collection. On a slip of paper, she writes the word serendipity. She tells him this means “a happy accident.” Donavan is excited about collecting new words in his new jar and figuring out how to give them away.