Shaun Phillips and The Hat of All Hats
Chapter 1: Up a Creek

I have never been in trouble before but I sure got in trouble today! Now when I say trouble I don’t mean that I forgot my homework and had to stay in at recess. And I’m not talking about a little goofing around in class that has the teacher moving my seat either. No. What I did caused the police, the firemen and even the media to show up at school. Yeah, I’m in THAT kind of trouble!

My name is Shaun Phillips and I’m in 4th grade here at Birch Wood Elementary School. It’s a really nice school and it sits way up on a hill with trees all around. Things are usually quiet and peaceful here, but today is a very different story. The police and firemen are searching every room while the students and teachers are gathered in the gym singing songs to pass the time.

I wish I was with them right now. Instead, I got a one way ticket to Principal Braxton’s office. He questioned me up and down and now he’s having words with my parents. I wonder how Mom and Dad are taking the news. As I said before, this is my first time getting in trouble.

Now I know what you’re thinking. If I’m such a good kid, how did I get into this situation in the first place? Well, let’s just say that I took my class on an unexpected field trip.

You see, we have been learning about The Age of Exploration in Social Studies and we were each given the name of an explorer to research. Today we presented our work. When I got up to speak, pencils and books went flying around the classroom. Then the windows burst open, the room filled with water and a huge ship came crashing through the door taking out a whole wall!

We all boarded the ship and had the greatest adventure ever. We sailed through some really bad weather. Then we met up with some angry natives who charged at us but I got my whole class back to school safe and sound. Maybe when this all blows over, I’ll receive a medal and a town parade in my honor. Okay probably not but a kid can dream!

How is this possible you ask? It’s sort of a long story but if you let me tell it I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Okay, so what do I tell you first? Well, I’m just your average ten year old boy. I like playing soccer with my friends. I also like playing video games and building castles with blocks. I think farts are hilarious, but who doesn’t?

Anyways, I live with my mom, my dad and my 5-year-old sister in a blue house on Pinecone Circle. My dad, Joe Phillips, is a software engineer. My mom, Jennifer Phillips works a few days a week as a nurse. My sister Katie goes to morning kindergarten at Birch Wood Elementary. And in case you were wondering, it is super annoying to have your little sister at the same school! At least Kindergarten and Fourth Grade are not on the same floor.

Mom, Dad, Katie and I are a pretty normal family. We’re always laughing at each other’s jokes or getting on each other’s nerves. Sometimes we go for bike rides after dinner and sometimes we just go outside and play. Katie likes to pretend she’s a fairy princess when she’s running around in the yard. I usually pretend to be a superhero. Having super powers and saving the world seemed like the greatest thing ever. And today some of that actually came true!

Are you getting really curious now? Okay, so here we go.

It was about two weeks ago when Mom dragged me and Katie to the department store. Shopping is never fun but shopping for clothes is the worst. I thought it was going to be an awful afternoon but that is when everything changed and that is where my story begins.