Don't Get Yourself Killed

The Corona Chronicles

GEt

yourself Poetry and prose by the young writers of 916 Ink’s Word Squad Open Air

The Corona Chronicles

GEt

yourself Poetry and prose by the young writers of 916 Ink’s Word Squad Open Air

© Copyright 2021 by 916 Ink. All rights reserved.

Published by: 916 Ink 3301 37th Avenue Sacramento, CA 95824 Cover art: Angela Tannehill-Caldwell, Shutterstock.com

About 916 Ink We are 916 Ink, Sacramento’s only art-based literacy nonprofit that transforms Sacramento youth into published authors. Why? Because empowered students equipped with amazing literacy skills lead healthier lives. 916 Ink dispatches teams of trained volunteers and staff to work in schools, libraries, nonprofits, and detention facilities. We make students, ages 4-18, active agents of their own change through creative writing. Since 2011, 916 Ink has transformed over 4,000 young people into published authors in our quest to lead the literacy revolution. Keep your eyes peeled for our name and good deeds. Better yet? Learn more about us at www.916ink.org, or send an email to info@916ink. org to learn how to become involved.

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction and poetry. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The author and publisher hold exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited. Copyright 2021.

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Dear Reader, What you hold in your hands is the hard work and dedication of a community of youth and adult writers working together to tell stories that inspire, entertain, and heal. At 916 Ink, we teach young people how to write, listen, and support each other in the pursuit of creating literary art.

The words in these pages are carefully chosen and crafted to reflect their unique voice.

This book is a celebration of “taking the yes,” which is a motto of 916 Ink students. “Taking the yes” means that students are unafraid to collaborate with each other and themselves. It might sound weird—how does one “collaborate” with his or her own self? By shutting down the inner critics in our head that tell us that we aren’t good enough, our stories don’t matter, or what we might say is stupid or unnecessary. Stories are how we create meaning and make sense of the world. What’s better than to teach young people how to tell stories, create meaning out of their lives, and understand the world?

Creative writing carves a path to a better life. Writers know this, but maybe the rest of the world doesn’t. A writer is someone who truly gets to live twice—once through their senses and once through the page. Everyone needs writers.

Favorite television shows? Go thank a writer. News articles? Thank a writer.

Education? Writers wrote the curriculum. Business? Can’t happen without writers creating marketing tools and business plans. Writers make the world go around.

By reading this book you’ve supported the growth of a writer. Thanks. Please consider making a donation to this great cause on our website at www.916ink. org if you’d like to further our mission of populating the planet with youth who can “take the yes,” and lead a happy life.

Ink-tastically yours, The 916 Ink staff, the Board of Dreamers, volunteers, and youth writers

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From the Wordslinger Dear Reader, Word Squad Open Air was a delightful experiment in socially distanced learning, stationed just outside 916 Ink’s beloved Imaginarium. We enjoyed a group of precocious Inkers who returned each week with big ideas and positive energy.

It was an undeniable breath of fresh air to interrupt weeks filled with virtual meetings and see each other in person. It offered both the Wordslingers and the Inkers the chance to connect and engage in mutual reciprocity.

We wrote under the bright golden hour of the setting sun, and we wrote as masked voters walked by on Election Day. Seasons shifted with daylight saving time, inspiring great pieces regarding the nature of change. As Jay and I observed the Inkers’ efforts and focus week by week, we were struck by their sensitivity to the outside changes in the world, culture, and political climate around them. I believe that this attunement to current events amplified our collective sense of writerly responsibility to imagine new futures through the power of story and redefine what kinds of journeys we wish to lead.

Please enjoy this collection of works written by extraordinary young Inkers coming of age in unprecedented times.

Sincerely,

Brenda Nguyen

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Acknowledgments Brenda Nguyen

Wordslinger

Jay Oatis

Wordslinger

Emma Hoppough

Guest Editor

Cindy Domasky

Button Pusher

Ian Hadley

Executive Director

Angela Tannehill

Creative Director

Allison Stelly

Director of Development

Nikki Cardoza

Director of Programming

Paulette Greenhouse

Find Your Voice Program Manager

Brenda Nguyen

Program Coordinator

Jay Oatis

Program Coordinator

Nena Larieze

Program Coordinator

Emma Hoppough

Production Coordinator

Maria Gavia

Office Manager

Christina Nelson

Read On! Program Manager

Tory Scott

Bookslinger

Will Evans

Outreach and Development Associate,

AmeriCorps VISTA

Katie McCleary

Founding Executive Director

Michael Spurgeon

Founding Board President

DJ Waldow

Board of Dreamers, President

Dr. Beatrice Tetteh

Board of Dreamers, Vice President

Shelley Blanton-Stroud Board of Dreamers, Secretary Kathy Flynn

Board of Dreamers, Treasurer

Chris Worden

Board of Dreamers

Daniel Kaufman

Board of Dreamers

Dr. JaNay Brown-Wood

Board of Dreamers

Lynn Lizarraga

Board of Dreamers

Michelle Warsaw

Board of Dreamers

Patrick Harbison

Board of Dreamers

Tigh Rickman

Board of Dreamers

Vince Wong

Board of Dreamers

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Contents Aiden Bridges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Ninja!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Goldsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Great Pirate—Part I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Memes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Amelia Healy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Christmas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 A Part of Myself. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 My Own Kingdom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Mummies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

bea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Earth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Courthouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Skull. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The World of Plants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Inside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Duke N. Barlu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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A Cardboard Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Superpowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Silence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 A Strange Noise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Humans are Weird! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Seasons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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Madeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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When Aliens Take Over the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Noah F. Saldana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Ouchie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

PB&J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Parallel World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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Aiden Bridges

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Ninja!

Aiden Bridges

We were on a mission. Yes, me. Out of all the Wind Ninja. “This is such a drag,” I said.

“Give up?” Sensei Saya said.

“I’m just saying this mission is a pain!” I said. Just then, I felt a sharp pain in my leg. “Gah!” I exclaimed. I collapsed to the ground. This fall might kill me. After all, we were jumping off trees. Then I stopped falling. My sensei had saved me! Amazed, I was on my feet again.

“Come on, lazy,” he said.

“Oh, man, what a drag!” I said. Then we were off again.

The End (Or is it?)

Goldsin Aiden Bridges

In Goldsin, there is one law: “Do. What. I. Say. And support BLM (Black Lives Matter).” Well, I guess that is two laws, but, ugh...where was I? Oh! Right. The whole city is black. Just black. It is just me and my family that lives here, but we are allies with Ninja Shinobi. Oh. We have a visitor. Wait...NO! 500! Well, see ya soon!

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The Great Pirate—Part I Aiden Bridges

I have found a golden skull in the cave of slits. But I fear there are traps. It came from a human named Midas. It gives the power to touch anything and it turns to gold! And of course, I took it.

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Memes Aiden Bridges

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Amelia Healy

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Christmas Amelia Healy

My character is silly and loves Christmas. He is eighteen years old and likes being shy of other people. He does not like to be seen and doesn’t like bad people.

I am frozen all the time.

A Part of Myself Amelia Healy

I am a part of the Christian family. I am not good at swimming. I know how to do math and read really good.

My Own Kingdom Amelia Healy

Hello! This is my kingdom. My kingdom has no rules, so you can do whatever you want...except blow up my house/kingdom. And my kingdom is located in—oh! I forgot to introduce myself. Yep. You got it right. I’m the queen of Candyland. I rule my land, and I KEEP IT THAT WAY. Oh, and I am pretty small.

Oh, and we’re small because we are on a small planet.

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Mummies Amelia Healy

Mummies here, mummies there Mummies here and there, Mummies, mummies, mummies everywhere!

They stink like mold and rotten things They’ll make you wish You had some wings

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Bea

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Earth Bea

Earth is a very odd place. The stars once shone bright. But now there is smoke in the air. They have a little atmosphere that puffs up smoke all day. They stay six feet away and they wear bright things on their faces. If you look very closely, you can see tiny viruses in the air. Right now, I’m in Space Pod 5,764 with seven other aliens. We live on planet Valgim. Valgim is dying. We are looking for a planet, but we don’t think Earth is the right place.

The Courthouse Bea

Elle was walking through the fancy hall of the courthouse when she heard banging from the courtroom. She ran to see what had happened. When she got there, she saw crazy looking people throwing chairs at each other! She remembered what her great-great-great-great-grandpa had said about the WWE and how they threw chairs at each other.

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The Skull Bea

I ran and ran until I could see a cave up ahead. I ran inside. I could hear blood in my ears. When I finally looked around, I found an altar with a golden skull on it. Before I had time to think, the fire breathing bunny from before came out of nowhere and charged me. I ran toward the skull; a giant crevice opened up. I ran and jumped and grabbed hold of the skull.

Some bunnies tried to jump, but if you have ever seen a bunny, they don’t have long legs. As soon as I touched the skull, a brilliant light flashed across the cave, and me and the skull were gone. We leaped through space and time.

We came upon an island floating in the middle of nowhere. A glowing orb of light was floating in front of me.

“Hello,” it said. “Welcome to the making of the world.” Its words sounded like a thousand different voices echoing together. This is where the ideas of my workers became reality. This is where liquid met solid and became our world. I looked around and saw much smaller balls of light on a far shore that seemed to be building a miniature world. The ball of light whistled—a gondola appeared out of nowhere, levitating on the water.

“Please,” said the ball of light, “sit.” I sat.

“Call me Zero,” said Zero.

“Zero,” I asked, “where are we going?”

“We are going to the hall of time,” answered Zero. “It is where the council votes on ideas. We will be attending a very special council meeting.” Soon we arrived at the beach. It was crowded with balls of light. They murmured and stared at us.

“What are they saying?” I asked Zero.

“Put this on,” said Zero.

Zero pulled a snake from thin air and dropped it in my hand. I shrieked with surprise. It coiled up my arm then laid its head on my arm and turned to gold. Suddenly I could hear what they were saying.

Continued on next page

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“A human? Really? They’re so big!”

All this time, we had been walking toward an important looking building with two big doors and two guards standing at attention. When we walked inside, my jaw dropped. Inside the building was even better than outside. There were marble floors, marble walls, and a beautiful ceiling.

The room was round with seven halls coming from it. In the center of the room there was a big deck with a ball of light hovering behind it.

“How can I help you?” it asked.

“Hello,” said Zero. “We would like to go to meeting room 172, please.”

“Right this way,” it said, and it beckoned for a ball of light. “They want to go to meeting room 172, Lily,” said the first ball of light.

The one named Lily said, “Right this way,” and led us through the seventh hallway. Soon we arrived at a big round room with seats on all sides of it. On one side of the room was a big desk, and on the other side was a smaller desk with a ball of light hovering behind it.

“We came a little early,” said Zero, “so we will get to see this Stars Council.”

“Is that what they are called?” I asked.

“It is what we are.”

“What?” I said. “If they are stars, that makes you the sun!”

Zero only smiled.

“How do the council meetings work?” I asked.

“Stars come up with ideas,” said Zero, “and then the council votes on the ideas. If the council votes yes on an idea, then we put it into your world. For instance, some time ago we voted on the light bulb.”

“But,” I said, “I thought Thomas Eddison invented the light bulb.”

“Well,” said Zero, “we had the idea and all the measurements.”

To be continued

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The World of Plants Bea

One day, while eating lunch, a strange man hopping on his toes asked us if we were Max and Sam. “Yes,” I said. “I’m Sam, and this is my twin, Max.” He told us that we are the last of a strong bloodline and that we had to come with him because our great-aunt had just died, so we had to come rule it. He said that we should go home and pack up and to meet him on the lake at sunset. We were surprised, but for some reason, we believed him. So, me and Max ran home and packed our stuff in our backpacks. Soon we were at the lake and it was sunset. The man popped out from the tree.

“Here,” he said, and he led us to the side of the lake and swirled his hand around while saying something that sounded like “icer biker hoot.” Then a swirling vortex opened up. We walked in. As soon as we went through, it was all blurs of color until finally I felt ground. It was splendid! It was all made of plants. I saw people bending branches to make houses. An important looking woman said, “Good, you have arrived. You need to go to the castle.”

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A few months have passed now. I learned how to plant and grow, and Max is working on a shield to protect our planet, for there is a dark cloud coming from the east.

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Inside Bea

One day, Dodger was walking the streets of London like any other day. Dodger’s other name was Nelson, but everyone called him Dodger because of the way he could sink into the shadows. One day he was walking to the abandoned house he lived in and I opened the door. He saw a note pinned to a wall. I walked over and read it. It said: “Dear Dodger. When Big Ben strikes five, meet me at the docks. Bring one companion.”

It was not signed, but still it was the most exciting thing that had happened to me in a long time. So I went, and in the morning I got my coat and grabbed Jade, my pet mouse, and ran to the docks.

Once I got there, an old man was waiting for me. “Hop in,” he said, and he pointed toward a little old boat. I walked in, and to my surprise, it glided into a portal and out again. He saw a man. The man said, “Welcome, Dodger. Your life is all a lie.”

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Duke N. Barlu

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A Cardboard Box Duke N. Barlu

I was ten when I got rich. When I say rich, I mean really, really, reeeally rich.

It all started with a cardboard box. When I was a cabin boy on a pirate ship, I was washing the deck when I heard something hit the ship.

“What the...,” I said. I looked...yeah, something was in the water...I reeled it in...

It was a-a-a cardboard box? I opened it, and it was filled with gold.

Three days later, I hadn’t told anyone. Captain was really anxious, and when he’s anxious, he takes it out on me.

“Swab the deck! Raise the sails! Sharpen my sword!” he shouted. On Tuesday, I went down to the kitchen. I asked the cook, “What is going on?”

“There’s a storm coming,” said the cook. “Better be ready...”

Soon, I could already hear the thunder in the distance. Lightning hit the mast, and it cracked in half. Waves as tall as mountains slapped the ship. Another bolt of lightning hit the ship, setting it partially on fire. I knew it was time to go. I grabbed the box, and it was dry? It must have been magic! I jumped the ship and floated to land where I got really, really, reeeally rich.

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Superpowers Duke N. Barlu

Evening, November 2 I face the villain. “Surrender or I’ll burn you through,” I say. I light the match and throw it on the bag. Of course, it burns out like before. I sigh. “I wish I had superpowers,” I say.

∑

Morning, November 3 The next morning, I wake up...on the floor, sitting on a bunch of ash? A crow flies into my room, circles my head three times, and transforms into a human with the biggest glasses on planet Earth. He rights himself, straightens his glasses, and says, “Hello, my name is Mr. Nobly Nick. You are expected at the Weirdo’s Academy of Wonky Superpowers.”

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Silence Duke N. Barlu

Silence is a freezing wind Good and bad in several ways.

I’m free in silence to roam around.

Silence can make me hear what’s good in the world.

Silence is a dangerous thing.

Silence is one of the loudest things that can be heard.

But then again, silence is a freezing wind.

A Strange Noise Duke N. Barlu

I was scared, hiding under my bed. The noise continued. When I finally worked up the courage to move, it had been several minutes since it had started.

I crept down the stairs, picturing a robber. I peered into the kitchen. A tiny orange dragon was making shish kebabs. He turned his head. “Eat?” he said in a squeaky voice.

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Help Duke N. Barlu

Hello, whoever is reading this, The time of magic in my kingdom has passed. The kingdom, Farronia, has fallen into the hands of Avarro, the dark warlock. Me and some of the citizens of my country have escaped to the mountains. I don’t know how long we have until they find us. Before Avarro, my kingdom was a peaceful place. None of the fairies, goblins, and elves got into fights. I used to have a crown, but I melted it and gave the gold to my people. No one here is racist, and they were all good people. I guess all that has changed now. Tell the emperor we need help, for Avarro won’t stop until he has the whole world in his grasp.

Sincerely, Vandragoff

Humans are Weird!

Duke N. Barlu

Hi, my name is Darren. So, it means “meteorite.” I went to Earth yesterday.

It was really weird. They all talked into these boxes. That must be a mental illness or something. Anyway, I was walking down a thing called a street when a weird animal—it had four paws like me, but instead of scales, it had fur—it started barking, so I ran for my life. Later, I asked for directions, and they said some gibberish like, “Wow, nice costume.” I have no idea what that means.

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Seasons Duke N. Barlu

The wrath of winter freezes and blows burning the skin at first touch.

Winter’s the sound of inner quiet.

Spring is different. Birds are chirping, flowers are bursting, and plants are overrunning.

Spring’s the sight of happiness Summer is hot. The occasional wind blows a doorway to the desert.

Summer’s the taste of warmth Fall is the opposite of spring, warm, but leaves are falling and cold is calm.

Fall is the touch of time.

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Madeline

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When Aliens Take Over the World Madeline

Ah, the planet with life. These humans are too destructive. My crew and I set up a way to eliminate these so-called humans. We researched the history of this planet and found out about “pandemics.”

Anyway, these things were caused by viruses. The names of the pandemics were the bubonic plague, bird flu, and flu. We discovered that all these viruses killed many humans, so we decided to ask them a favor. The wordings of the viruses were hard to decipher, but we made a deal. The viruses said they didn’t want to be inside blood in a container in the lab, so we told them that if they let us use them, they could be free from the lab. I did tons and tons of problems so that soon they became irrational, like pi—which we also invented, but that’s a different story. Now, where was I? Oh, yes, so I mixed the viruses up, and it created the most powerful virus I have ever seen. I decided to call it the super virus. Its powers were to attack the lungs so nobody could breathe.

We gave the virus lots of healthy cells so the virus could multiply. Now we have launched it in Wuhan, China, and everyone is dying.

Our plan is looking to be successful. We will rule Earth once again before the big bang.

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T H E C O RO N A C H RO N I C L E S : D O N ’ T G E T YO U RS E L F K I L L E D

Noah F. Saldana

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Ouchie Noah F. Saldana

One day I fell asleep, but I was not even tired. I felt my body being lifted in the air and placed uncomfortably in what felt like the back of an automobile.

Confused, I didn’t open my eyes. Many minutes later, I heard car horns, and then I started to panic. Could I really have been kidnapped? I shook the thought out of my head and opened my eyes.

“You’re awake!” My dad said.

My mom had a big frown on her face. Then I realized I was in an ambulance.

But why?

“Ahh, I have a terrible headache!” I yelled.

My mom frowned more and said, “It’s actually a brain tumor.”

I almost screamed. The surgery was long and disturbing. Thankfully, it was removed. I’m OK now.

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T H E C O RO N A C H RO N I C L E S : D O N ’ T G E T YO U RS E L F K I L L E D

PB&J

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Parallel World PB&J

In a grove near the forest lies many mystical creatures, but none as common as the elves. Just one forest can home more than twenty colonies. There are many popular ones, but some aren’t known at all. The least popular is the one I live in. No interesting things happen here, but I am planning to change that.

I am Roslyn Starlight. I live with my pet jackalope, Chocoroll; my sister, Andrea; and my mom. Andrea is really annoying, so I try to steer clear of her by adventuring our part of the grove with Choco.

If I didn’t mention already, there is a huge wall around our clan’s part of the grove. My family lives in the Rainfall clan, but there are millions of clans everywhere in the world. The most popular ones are the Sunflower clan, Stalactite clan, and the Snowslide clan. The Sunflower clan is in a field filled with flowers, the Stalactite clan is in a cave, and the Snowslide clan is on a huge mountain. I’ve been to the Snowslide clan. Although I don’t remember it at all, I lived there when I was a kid. When my dad died, we moved to this grove. My mom won’t let me adventure because that’s how my dad died. She says she doesn’t want it happening to me too.

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T H E C O RO N A C H RO N I C L E S : D O N ’ T G E T YO U RS E L F K I L L E D

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THIS BOOK WAS PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

WITH MAJOR SUPPORT FROM

AND FUNDED IN PART BY

The Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation

The Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture, with support from the City of Sacramento.