Les Vers et Visions

Le Ves et Vion

Covt&SurHal

2024-2025

WitganAr

Les Vers et Visions

Lucas V., Grade 2

Art Credits

Title Artist

BirdandtheBridge Phoebe,Grade7

WillV.&HudsonA.,Grade4

ANIMALS &NATURE

By Rishi, Grade 7

Theisanarcticfoxinme

Withahowlasloudasawerewolf. Itsoundslikealoudcoyote Whenit'swakingup. Itmoveslikeacheetah Asitrunsinthegrasslands. ItlivesinmyneckAndmakesmehowl. IwishIhaditasapet. Itmakesmewanttorunfast. ItmakesmefeellikeIambrave.

Art & Words By Wren S., Grade 2

ThereoncewasapenguinnamedPlipPlopandhelikedtoflipflop. Justthenhefoundhismap, anditstartedtoclap, thenitstartedtolickandmop!

By Jade C., Grade 2

CROW,TURTLE,TOAD

Oncetherewasacrow.Theturtlesawthecrowandsaid“ohno” Thecrowfoundtheturtle.Itjumpedontoahurdle. Theturtlerantoatoad.Thetoadrantothehose. Thehosesprayedatthetoad,anditran.Thetoadgotonaroad.

By Charlotte C., Grade 2

PLIPPLOP

Everywhereyoulook, Allissogreen, Thewatersostill, Socold,soclean.

Thebirdsinthetrees, Thehiveswiththebees, Natureisbeautiful, Thesandandtheseas.

Theleaveswithdew, Theleaveswithants, Thebranchesontrees, Andendlessplants.

Therootsintheground, Thevinesonthewall, Grasssoshort, Andtrees,sotall.

Thehighestofmountains, Thelowestofravines, Thedarkestofcaves, Alloftheunseen.

Thecleanestofwater, Thecoloroftheflowers, Intheforest, Natureempowers.

Thebrightestofdays, Thecoldestofnights, Alliswell,Natureunites.

By:

Elliott W., Grade 7

By Rishi, Grade 7

Thereisahorseinme Withrunningpowersrunningeverywhere. Itsoundslikebatsinmybrain Flyingaround. Itmoveslikeflyingbirds Goingacrosstheocean. Itlivesinmyfeet Andmakesmerunfast. IwishIwasahorse. Itmakesmewanttodrawanddance.

By: Audrey H., Grade 1

Featherssofterthan silkbeautifulbirdfilledwithpride intheJapanwaters.

By Fafa, Grade 2

Kimono

OdetoGoldFish

OhGoldFish,OhGoldFish 100%REALCHEESE

Ioncelockedyouinthecloset andlostmykeys

OhGoldFish,OhGoldfish yourgoldenshine

Ihaveanidea! I’llmakeyouashrine youhavesuchahardjob maybeyoushouldrecline

OhGoldfish,OhGoldfish You’resuchagoodswimmer Youswimthroughthebag wheneveryouplaytag andwhenyouwin youneverbrag.

By Dante V., Grade 7

By Rishi K., Grade 7

Fire

Abrightlight

Itturnsonafight

Sparksofangerandfear

Youknowitwhenitcomesnear

Itigniteswithaccidents

Burningwithregrets

Orangeasitgrowsredasitkills

Takingovertreesandferns

It’sinnocencecoveredbyaveilofevil

Soundersofscaredandhope

Peoplearetogethertryingtocope

Itdiesdowndownsoontoend

Theyblamethefirenotthepeople

Untilallthat’sleftisthechurchsteeple

By Shiyah P., Grade 7

ThankYouTrees

Tinybugsontheleaves

Robinsintheirnests

Everyonerelyingonit

Everyanimallovesit

Sowethankyou,trees

By Kiki, Grade 3

UntitledHaiku

Lookingthroughthewoods Lookatalltheanimals Ijustsawafrog

By Emily L., Grade 2

Nature'sgreatness

AsIwalkthebeach, Thesanderasingmyfootprints, Whatabeautifulsight

Thegreentreesaroundme, Shiningtheircolorinthesun, Theymustbeveryhot I’mwalkingwithfriends, AsIseeadyingplant, Istopandwaterit

Thankyouandthankyou, ThatiswhatIsaytonature, Theyhelpusstayalive

Icrawlonthefloor, Amonkeyjumpsonmyback, Iamsorelieved

by Kane F., Grade 6

By Arthur, Grade 2

ThereOnceWasPinkBunny

Thereoncewasapinkbunny Whowasveryfunny. Whotoldsomejokes, Toveryoldfolks. andhisfavoritefoodishoney.

By Lucy M., Grade 2

Thebeautifullake Ihearfunfrogscroaking leapingallaround

By Asha, Grade 2

acatlikestoplayinabarn, withhisfavoritetoy,yarn. ashechaseslittlemice, doesheknowthattheyhavelice? eventhoughhe’sacutefluff, becareful,he’sreallyrough. helikestolistentolittlebells, whilehewritesandspells. heletsoutalittlepurr, whilehegroomsandlickshisfur

By Vera, Grade 2

Therainfallsslowly FromaBeautifulbluecloud Itissopretty

By Katherine, Grade 3

LittleCat

LakeHaiku

RainHaiku

“WhereImetmyselfagain”

Amazingark, AsIwalkintothepark.

Thedogsarebarking, Thecarsareparking.

Treesblowing, Thewindisflowing.

Warmweather, apigeon'sfeather

Enjoyingthesun, havingalotoffun.

AsIlaydowninthegreengrass, AtlastIfeellikemygreatpast.

Ihearanamenfromwisemen, ThisiswhereImetmyselfagain.

By Avery P., Grade 7

WhenIwaswalking Isawbeautifulflowers Ipickedtheflower

By Charlotte, Grade 2

Eleven,Eleven

Oneveryeleveneleven,twiceaday,Imake awish awishtothestarsabove whetherbigorsmall ortinyandtall awishthatgrasswasgreener skieswerebluerandflowersbrighter awishthatsavesthoseinhunger war,homelessness,anddespair awishthatmakesthingsfair forallgirlsandallmen awishthatourworldseemedsimplelike backthen whenIwaslittleandhadnothingbutfun Iwishforwhatisyettocome hopefullyanewview Iwishthatallthesethingswillcometrue Iwish,Ihopeoneleveneleven

By Lizzie, Grade 7

Earth

5bigroundballyouare 7Youhavealifeofpeople. 5Earthisamazing

By Sophia G.,Grade 3

FlowerHaiku

Thewolfwaswatching Watchinghisdeliciousprey Pounce,hehasdinner

By Alessandra T., Grade 3

Umbrella

Springisnot IlikeThunderstorms. Ithinkitwill Ijumpinpuddles!

By Laurence,

floatingthroughthepond holdingfrogsandpinkflowers thepondispeaceful

By Camilla, Grade 2

TheWolf,Ahaiku

PondHaiku

Thread

who'sneverseenamournfulcloud? itwasraining heavy coldandwet

Wet,likethestreetsleftbehind Justme, leftbehind nothinghappenshere theflashofthecarlightbrightandblinding neveragainwilleverabletogobackto thosedays wetlikethestreetsleftbehind thepathIlookedback neveragainIwoulddothis inthedistancesomeonestandingthere Iwouldgazeup therewasthemournfulcloud. Wasthiswhatthefuturelookedlike thisremindedmeofmypast drewmein. Wherewasthatperson? theevokingripinthefabricoftime. BecauseIdon’texist IfeelasifI’mmissingsomething. AsIlookedup thoughmywindowonly Icouldtrulysee Ididn’tknow littledidIeverknow, everunderstand. andsoIdidn’thaveto? buttothreadthebroken Unfinishedpieces Together.

By Emma D., Grade 6

InTheSky

Iwantthemtostandtogetherinsilence Sunandmoon Oppositesinthesky Alwaysdriftingaway Yetalwaysconnected Bydawnanddusk Eachdayandnight Islikealongbreath Therisingsun Breathesinandilluminates Thenbreathesout Asthepeacefulmoontakesitsplace Aroundtheygolikethis Warmlight Silverlight Tilltheendoftheearth Sunandmoon Dayandnight.

By Ivy, Grade 6

Kimono Isitonthesand Andthewavescrashtotheshore Assealionsscreech.

By Evelyn, Grade 2

Flight

Cuttingthroughthewind, Comingoutofclouds, Thebirdmaysitquietly, Buttheeaglestandsproud.

By Olivia Rose, Grade 4

Perfect

Sunbeamsshiningdown Ontothedewygrassblades Inthecloudysky

Butterflywings Flip,Flap,Flyinthesoftwind Landsongreenleaf

Asmallbrownpuppy Leapingthroughthehillsandmounds Againstthebluesky

Blueskycottonwhite Candycloudsfluffyandmisty Littleislandsofshade

Littleislandof Peacefulparadise.

By Lily W., Grade 6

Stars

Thestarsinthesky Shinebright Likethetwinkleinyoureye ButlikeCarl Saganoncesaid “We’reallmadeofstarstuff” Butisthatjustbluff

Peoplethinkstarsarejustgas Butthat’sjustwhattheyteachyouinclass Whenyouthinkwithyourheart Thereisnoneedtobesmart Starsaremadeofdreams Ifyoudon’tmakemeanschemes

Thestarsarebeautiful Andfulloflife Wetakethemforgranted Whenwehavelightpollution Thestarsarenaturallight Whenweletthemshinebright

Whenthesuncomesout Thestarsdon’tdieout Theyjustgotoshinetoothers Motherandbrothers

By Penelope P., Grade 6

TheWind

Thewindiscarryingawaythewords

Thesound,thescent

AllIcandoiswatch

LikeIamnotthere

Iamalone

Lookingatavastopensky

Andthegoldengrassbelowitformiles

Istartwalking

Pushingagainstthewind

Icallout

Noonecanhearme

Iamfree,butstilltrapped

Ineedtogetout

Itakeadeepbreath

Slowly,Istartwalkingforward

Onestepatatime

Then,Imakeittotheotherside

Thewindstops

Maybenotforever,butfornow,Iamtruly free

By Ivy, Grade 6

FlowerHaiku scentofaflower gracefullywavingthroughlight growingintospring

By Paige, Grade 2

RainHaiku

Rain,rainfallingdown neverseemstoreachbottom Ittouchesmyhead

By Soraiya, Grade 2

LittleTree

Dearlittletree, youdon'tdeservehavingtocarrytheweight offruitonyourback, orthefactyouhadtowatchothertrees aroundyougetcutdownforthebenefitof others.

Youshouldenjoybeingalittletreewho can'tbecutdown, youshouldswayhowyouwantinthewind, thoughihavetowarnyou, whenyouareyourselfyou'llloseafew apples butthatsokay,iftheyleftthateasilythey shouldhaveneverstayed,probablyrotten anyway.

Dearlittletree, appreciatethetreeswhohelpedyoubecome whoyouare,theysoonleave.

Dearlittletree, lettherainfallandthecloudstorm,ithelps yougrowmorethanjuststayinginthesun everwill.

Dearlittletree, don'tlettheotherlittletreesgettoyou, theregrowingandlearningjustto, they'llmakemistakesjustlikeyou. whentheycomeinwithaaxe, don'tletthemtakeyouinonego, staystronglittletree,especiallyasyou grow.

Beingalittletreewon'tbeeasy,butenjoy beingfree, don'tletpeoplecutyoudownjustbecause you'realittletree. Dearlittleme, don'tworryaboutathing.

By Mackenzie, Grade 6

BathTime

Whentheygothomeitwasbathtime.Butthedogsdidn’twanttogointhebathtub.Theywantedtojump inbed SnappJacksaid,“ifyougointhebathtub,Iwillgiveyouayummytreat Iwillgiveyouanew bone”Sotheyfinallywentinthebath,theydidnotlikeit

By Olivia P, Grade 1

By Pax,Grade 2

Ocean Bluesheetofwater Fishbeautifullyswimming Shimmerinthesun.

By Dev, Grade 2

TheForest Forestsaresogreen Leavescrunchingunderyourfeet Solivelyandbright.

By Mark, Grade 2

Spring Itisverywarm Flowersbloomingallaround Sunshiningonme.

By Henry, Grade 2

TheRiver Calmandmajestic Animalslivingnearby Itisbeautiful.

By Zander, Grade 2

SPORTS

By James H, Grade 2

EileenYu

Confident,brave

Skiing,modeling,competing AmbassadorfortheOlympicgames

Skier

By Eva, Grade 2

HowToDoaCartwheel

Youwillneed: Leotard Hairtie Mat

1.First,standupwithonelegoutandtwo armsup.

2.Secondbendover.Andkickyourlegover yourhead.

3.Last,standupwithtwohandsupand everyonewillclapforyou.

By Isabella, Grade 2

HowtoPlaySoccer

This is dedicated to Aesa because she’s the best soccer player I know. Soccerisafunsport. Ifyouwanttolearnhowtoplaysoccer,readon. Youwillneed: Aball,Socks,Agoal,Cleats,Aponytail,Ateam Youwillneedtowin. First,youwillneedtotaketheball.Thentrytogetagoal. Howtostealtheball: Getinfrontofthemandturn. Whathappenswhenyougetagoal?Youwin. Takeaphoto.Saycheese?

By Margot, 2nd grade

OraclePark

25millionfansinthestadium

Onaverageperyear

25millionpeoplehavesetfootintowhatisoneof thebeststadiumsinallofmlb

25millionpeoplewhohavewatchedthegreatest gameofalltime

25 Millionpeoplewhohavewatchedtheirteam winorlose

Iloveitall

Everysinglesquarefootofit125acres

Everysingleseatoutofthe41,265seats

Everysinglechantshoutedbyfans

Everysinglecrackofanbatalongwithfans cheeringorbooing

Iloveitall

OracleparkthehomeoftheSanFranciscoGiants

Forover25years

25yearsofjoy

3WorldSerieswon

Iloveitall

Fromcokebottleslide

Withanlineofexcitedkidswaitingtogodownit

Tothecablecarintheoutfieldseating Thatsalwaysfilledwithkidsplayingalongit

Totheroarofthecrowd

Andeafeningsound mixedwithlaughterechoingthroughoutthecrowd

Andcheeringmixedwithchantingofthefans

Andsoundthatcanonlybedescribedas Angoodkindofchaos

Iloveitall

Theelectricenergyseepingoutofeverysquare inch

Ofeverysinglespace theexcitedfans

Rangingfromyoungtoold

Itdoesn’tmatteriftheyarediehardorbandwagon fansitdoesn’tmatterbecause everyone’sjustheretoseeonething

America’sfavoritepastime

Baseball

Iloveitall

Downtothepopcornandseasprayscentintheair onceyouenterthestadium

Thescentclingingontoyouuntilyouexitthe ballpark

Iloveitall

Onceyouarriveintothestadium

Youautomaticallyfeelathome youwillhearthesoundofexcitedfans

Andthesignaturesendofanmixofpopcorn,grass andtheocean

Willsurroundyourandyoursenses Andclingtoyou

Iloveitall

Oncethegamewillstartanhushwillfalloverthe crowd

Butonlyforafewminutesjustlongenoughforthe nationalanthem

Thentheroarofthecrowdwillstartbackupagian

Withbanteringandcheers

Butallingoodfun Iloveitall

Andoncethegamehasended ThefansstarttopouroutintotheWillieMays plazaand theseagullscome

Inflockstheyflyhundredsofthem Iloveitall

Andwhileyouleavethestadiumyouwillhearthe poundingofdrumsoutside Thesoundwillfillyourear

Ansoundsoloudbutafterafewminuteswilljust becomeanotherbackgroundnoise Iloveitall

Alongwiththenoiseoffans

Somecongratulatingotherfans whileothersarebanteringbackandforth Butallingoodfun

Iloveitall

2.5millionfansinthestadium

Onaverageperyear

25millionpeoplehavesetfootintowhatisoneof thebeststadiumsinallofmlb

25millionpeoplewhohavewatchedthegreatest gameofalltime

25 Millionpeoplewhohavewatchedtheirteam winorlose Iloveitall

By London, Grade 7

THEPOOL

Itwas6o’clockonaFridayevening.Thesmellofchlorinefilledmylungs,thefeelof theplasticswimcapcinchedmyforehead.AlexandAmywereonthestandscheering,Uncle Jackwastheretoo.Momwascominglater,buttheretuckedinthecornerwasthecollegescout. TheDartmouthbaseballcaphidtheirface,andwow,Iwasnervous.Myheartbeatfast,my stomachheldbutterflies,Ifeltalmostsick,butIwasconfident.Iremindedmyselfyougotthis, don’twatchthecrowd,letthemwatchyou,asayingmyaunthadtaughtme3yearsprior,a joyousthoughtcrawledintomymindasIrememberedhowwhenshewasstillaroundshewould traveldownfromNewHaveneverytimeIhadaswimmeet,thesoundofhervoicewasalways theloudestinthenatatorium.Imissedhersomuch,butnowwasnotthetimetocry,orthink abouther.So,IpulledmythoughtsawayfromitandwatchedJulie,anothergirlonmyteam, swimherFreestyle100m,tealwatersplashedallaroundher,shecameupforbreathsevery3 strokes,andallthewhilethescouttooknotes.Iremindedmyselfagaintobeconfident,thenleft thenoisygymforthebathroom.

WhenIgotthereIclosedthedoor,andlookedinthemirror,mybeachtannedfacewasin afrownandmythickeyebrowswerescruncheduptogether,thesoundofcheeringseepedin throughthecracksinthedoor TurnsoutJuliehadone,thatmeantitwasalmostmyturntodo theFreestyle200m.Itightenedmygriparoundthesink,untilmyknucklesturnedwhite.I couldn'tmessthisup.Ineededtoberecruited.IneededtogotoDartmouth.Therewasnoother option.

Ilefttherestroom.OnthewaytomystartingpositionIadmiredthechippedblueand greenpoolsidetiles,thelongceilingandwallsfilledwithpostersofallthetimesmyhighschool HartfordHighhadwonthroughouttheyears.

Imademywaytomystartingplace,RileyTranfromHillHighwasonmyleft,herbright greengogglesandswimsuitwithabigHonthefronthadalwaysmademelaugh.Ontheother sidewasRachelWoleninhernavyswimsuitandcapfromEinsteinEducation.Threeofthebest freestyleracersallcompetingagainstoneanother,thiswasgoingtobetough.Iknewthat,butI alsoknewthatIhadtrainedthehardestandlongest,IjusthopedthattheDartmouthscoutwould seethattoo.

Ipeeredoutofmydivingpositiontolookatthereferee.Shewasawoman26ishyears oldandherbrightblondhairwaspulledbackintoaneatbun.Thewhistlewasinhermouthas shesignaledwithherhands,startinginthree,two,one,—tweet. Idoveintothewater.Itwas fresh,andcold,justhowIlikedit.Myhandsandlegsimmediatelyfellintoautopilotandstarted tomove,beginningfreestylethestrokethatIhaddonesomanytimesbefore.Iwaspushing myselfhard.1breathevery5strokes,mylegswereaching,myheadhurtfrommycap.2laps gone,2togo,almostdone,butthen,Isawit.Thebrightredswimsuit.Rileyhadgottenahead.I neededtobeather, Iswamandswamandkickedandkickedbutshewasstillthere2feetin frontofme.Onelapleft,Rileywasstillahead,mystomachhurt.Ithoughtofallthebadthings thathadhappenedinthelastyear,myauntdying,myparentsbecomingdistant,alwaysworking

or,swimming,orschool.Nofreetime.Ineededtowin,mythoughtsturnedsourasIrealizedshe wasabouttobevictorious,4feettothewall,butatthelastsecond,Ihadbeatenher.Ihad actuallywon!Ibreathedheavilyandlookedatthescout.Theyweresmilingandwrotethingson theirclipboard.

By Avery H., Grade 7

TheLoveofBasketball

Ilovethegameofbasketball,it'sfunformebecauseI’mtall,IstartedwhenIwasjustatotbut fortunately,I’vegrownalot,IplayforschoolandIplayforclubsbutmyfavoriteteam‘sof coursethe‘Dubs,andnowthey’reinplayoffgames,Ihopetheseasonwon'tgodowninflames, Itrulyhopetheywinthisseasonanotherparade…weneedareason,butiftheyloseI’msureto cheerbutthenagain,there'salwaysnextyear!

By Harry E., SHB 7

ThePowerofBreath

Breatheinbigandpushoffthewall

Iglidelikeafish

Fast

Ifeelmymomentumstarttofall

Nowit'stimetousemyenergy IswimandIswimandIswim Downdowndown

UntilIfinallygetthatextrapush Nowmyearshurtfromthepressure Andmylungsarebeggingforair

MaybeI'llmakeitItellmyselfignoringmylossofbreath ButI’mstillhumanandI’mnotreadyyet IforcemyselftothesurfacebreathinginonemoretimebeforeIkeepontreading AsIfinallyhitthewallIhaveanewmission Makeitback

Ibreakintoasprint,countingmystrokes Itryfornineandachieve7

Breath

ItryfornineandIachievesix

Breath NowItryharder

Breath

It’sastraightshottothewall Istandup,gaspingforbreath EverytimeIcomeupwiththesameconclusion Tryharder

By Collins, Grade 7

Step-Back

Simplespacecreation whereyoupickupadribble andtakealeap withoneleg, Andlandontheother andsnatchitback

Asin:rightbeforeashot astepback cancreatespace toshoot

Asin:JamesHarden’ssignaturestepback isthebest,buthenearlyalways TRAVELS,whichruinsit, Workingeverytime

Asin:Oneofmyfavoritemoves thatIthoughtmyself, thathascarriedmethroughthegame, creatinggoodlooks, thatIhavepracticed, whichIpush,thenpull, andscore

By Matthew T., Grade 7

GameTime

Ihitthefieldrunning,jumping,andthesuch However,Igotstopped Mycoachsay,s“yourdoingtoomuch” I’mjusttryingtogethyped,dialed,lockedin SoIsprintonthefieldreadytoplay Don’tjudgeme,don’taskme,cuztoyour dismay

You’llhitabrickwall“SMACK”in yourway

Thefanscheeringandyelling“goteam” Ikindagetembarrassed,itfeelslikeameme, Theopposingsideheckling,booing,and critiquingourgame Itonlyempowersmetoshowthemmyname Weallknowwhatwe’reherefor Sodon’tgetconfused Weheretowin, certainlynottolose

By Malcolm C., Grade 7

TheBestBasketballTeamPart2

HimothydribblespassestoSamheshootsfromdowntownheswishestheshot.Itis49-44 USA,JadendribblesOHJadengoesbehindthebackheshootsthe3makesitscoreisnow49-47. BenhastheballpassestoOdinhegoesforthelayupbuthemissestheshot,NazReiddribbles DANGhebrokeSaif’sanklesandheshootsthe3forthefirsttimethisgametheTimberwolveshad theleadbutonlywinningby1pointWillpassestoLeightonhegoesforthebehindthebackdunkon AnthonyEdwardsandmakesit,hehLeightonposesBUZZ!Itis51-50USAItisHalftimeandwe willseeyouafterthebreak

”Hello,wearebackfromhalftimetotellyouhowgoodtheUSAAll-Starsstats””My favoriteplayer,inmyopinion,isDevin Hehas18pointsathalftime,andthesecond-bestformeis Benwith14points FortheTimberwolves,Nazhas17pointsandRubyhas15points,andweare backatthegameanditisthe3rdquarterandthescoreis51-50USA Timberwolveshavetheball,

NazpassestoJuliusgoesforthelayupandmakesit BenpassestoWilldribblesandpassesto Charlieonehandedhalf-courtshot andCharliedoesthemoonwalk McDanielsdribblespassesto Divanchenzo,heshootsfromdowntown,makesit,scoreis54-55,Timberwolves Willdribbles, passestoCharlie,passestoPeeweeHerman,hegoesforthethrough-the-legsdunkonJaden,the scoreis56-55USA NazpassestoDivanchenzo,dribbles,fakestheshot,andpassestoNaz,and shootsthe3-pointer Timberwolvesareup58-56 BenpassestoLeightonheshootsthe2,hemakes it,scoreis58-58tiegame!NazpassestoJaden,heshootsfromthepaintSWISH!Thescoreis61-58, Timberwolves PeeweepassestoKyle,dribbles,andpassesbacktoPeewee Hermangoesforthe3 pointer,thescoreis61-61tiedgam!.Nazdribbles,hepassestoJulius,heshootsthehalf-courtshot, BenpassestoTheWingMaster,hedribbles,hepassestoWill,heshootsthe3,scoreis64-61.Naz dribblesOH!ReidbreaksPeewee’sanklesandgoesforthebehindthebackdunkonSaifandhe makesitscore64-63USA.NazpassestoJadenhedribbleshegoesforthedunkonCharlieandhe makesit,scoreis64-65Timberwolves.BenpassestoPeeweehedribblestothe3pointlineandhe shootsthe3pointerandhemakesitOHaftertheshotPeeweedoesabackflipandlandsit,scoreis 67-65.NazpassestoJadenhedribbleshefakestheshotandpassestoDivanchenzoandshootsthe fadeawaytiesgame67-67.BenpassestoCharliehedoesthestepbackandshootsthehalf-court 70-67.The3rdquarterwasbackandforthformostoftheandattheendofthe3rdquarterthescore is113-108and waswinning.”Herewearebackatthe4thquarterandTimberwolveshavetheball. NazpassestoJadenhegoesforthelayupandJadenmakesit,scoreis113-111.WillpassestoSamhe dribbleshegivesanalleyooptoHimothythelllandmakesitscoreis115-111.Jadenpassesto Divanchenzoanddribblesandshootsthe3 $��$scoreisgettingclosebutstillhastheleadscoreis 115-114 BenpassestoKyle,andheshootsthe3-pointerBRICK!Nazhasit;hedribblestohalfcourt andshoots hemakesitscoreis115-117Timberwolves LeightondribblesandpassestoTheWing Masterheshootsthefadeawayandhemakesitscore117-117 NazpassestoRandle,hepassesto Naz,heshootsthehalf-court,andhegetsrejectedbySaif,andhedunksonRuby Thescoreis 119-117 NazpassestoRubyhedribblesandhegoesforthedunkandhemakesitscore119-119and thereare67secondslefttillthegameisover Benpasses5toKyle4,3,1andDevinshootsthe3 pointfadeandDevinhitsthegamewinningshottogotothesemi-finalsandthecrowdgoesWILD! DevinwinsitfortheAll-Stars!Howdoeshemakethatshot?Itisincredibletoseearookiewinit

By Kyle, Grade 4

IDENTITY

By Peter, Grade 2

Untitled

Min-junandhisfriendswalkedupontothestage.Theywerepreparedtosingtheirbestsong. Theyallhadthemicintheirsweatyhands.Thelightsturnedoff,thebeatstarted,theystartedto sing,thecrowdroared,theysangalongwiththefoursingers.Min-junwastryinghisbesttoget hisgrouptobethe#1K-popgroupintheworld.Therewereover100K-popgroups.Thelights wereflashing.Later,thegroupwasatMin-jun’shouse.TheywerewatchingtoseetheK-pop rankingsfortheweek.Theywereeatingpopcorn.Theywereworriedtheydidbadly.

By Tate Y., Grade 7

JimmythePizzaGuy

OnSeptember20,1965somethingmiraculoushappened,soutterlyinsanenoone believed.ItallstartsinNewYorkCitywithareallycooldudenamedJohn.Johnwasalways sleepyandlovedpizza.Onedayheloveditsomuchheopenedhisownpizzastorecalled “PARMIGIANO”.Beforeheopenedhisstoretothepublic,hedidn’twanttobelikeallthe averagepizzastores.Hewantedtobedifferentinawaypeoplelovedhispizzalikenoother.So hedecidedtogoonajourneyfarawaytosomewhere,buttherewasaproblem,hedidn’tknow wheretostart.SohewenttohisbestfriendJoe.Joewassomethingyouwouldcall“oneofa kind”.Hewasn’tscaredofANYTHING!SoJimmyandhisfriendsetoffonamission.

“Yo,yougotanyfood,I’mstarvingoverhere,”JoesaidinhisdeepNewYorkaccent. “Weleftfiveminutesago,”Johnsaid.“IknowbutIneedmy‘pre-snack’.YouknowwhatI mean?”“No,Ihavenocluewhatyou’retalkingabout,”Johnsaid.“Dudewhat’sthat?”Joesaid whilepointingatasmallislandwithaskullflag.Johnshrugscarelessly.Then,littlethingsthat looklikegremlinsstartyelling,soonenoughthere’sthousandsofthem!“Cool,canwego?”Joe askedJohncuriously.“NO,areyoucrazy?!”Johnsays,frightened.“Imean,yeahIkindofam,” Joesayslikeit’sobvious.“Thereisnowayyou’regettingmeonthatisland!”Fiveminuteslater hefindshimselfamileawayfromtheisland.“Ican’tbelieveyoudraggedmeintothis.”“My magicworksinsomanyways,”Joesaidproudly.Thelittlethingsapproachtheirship.“Whoare you,”thethingsaidfuriously “Ishouldbeaskingthesamething,”saidJoe,notscared.“We’re calledWawahansjrwks,butwawaforshort.Sowhoareyou?”OneoftheWawa’ssaid.“We’re hu-humans,”Johnsaid,terrified.JoegaveJohnalookthatsaid“toughenup”.“MyfriendJohn righthereisopeningapizzastore,andhewantstomakehisstorespecial.Sowewentonthis shipandwenttosail.”Joesaid.“Oh,”saidtheWawalikehedidn’tthinkhewasgoingtoanswer. OneoftheWawa’sasked,“Whattheheckispizza?”SaidaWawa.“Isitsomekindofmachine orsomething?”SaidanotherWawa.“Letmeshowyou,”Johnsaidproudly.SoJohnwentback ontheshipandgotsomeoftheingredients.“Whatstyleofpizzaarewemakingtoday?”Joe asked.“ClassicNewYorkstyle.”(WhichwasJohnandJoe’sfavoritetypeofpizza)“Nice”Joe said.Sotheymadethepizza,andrightbeforetheyweregoingtogivethemthepizzatheyheard somethingmarching.“What’sthatnoise?”Johnsaidcuriouslyandscaredatthesametime. SuddenlyeverysingleWawastartedtobow.“Hey,whatareyouguysdoing?”Joeasked curiously SuddenlyaherdofWawa’scamemarchingprotectingsomething…AWawa whisperedtoJoe“Ourkingiscoming.”SoJohnandJoestartedbowingtoo.“Whattheheckare

youdoing,”whisperedthesameWawa.“We’rebowinglikeyou,”Joesaid.“Standup!”Saidthe Wawawhilestillsomehowwhispering.“Jeezok.”Sotheystoodup.Thekingapproached.“Who shallyoube?”Saidthekinginaverydeepvoice.“Iamahumandude,”alloftheWawa’sstared atJoebecausehejustdisrespectedtheking.“Excuseme!?”Thekingsaidfurious.Then,John immediatelycorrectedhisfriend,“Myfriendheremeant,we’rehumans,andmynameisJohn, andhisnameisJoe.”“Sup”Joesaidcasually.“AndmayIaskwhoyouare?”“IamOdinthe kingoftheWawahansjrwks,butWawaforshort,”“Nicetomeetyou”Johnsaid.“So,whatare youdoingonmybeautifulisland?”saidOdin,veryproud.AfterJoeandJohnexplainedthestory Odinaskedinhisdeepvoice,“So,whereisthisso-called‘pizza’?”“Rightherebig,Wawa,king person”saidJoe,Johnslappedhisfacelike‘whydidIbringhim’.JoeandJohncarriedthepizza tothekingandgavehimaslice.“Uh,howdoIeatit?”Odinsaid.“Folditinhalfandtakeabite, duh.”AlloftheWawa’sareastonishedathowOdinisnotyellingathim,letalonestillonthis island.SoOdintookabite…“It’samazing!!!!”Odinsaidveryhappily.“Idemandtherecipe now!!!!”Thekingsaidgreedily “Firstofall,no,secondofall,doyouguyshaveanythingsthat canmakethisbetter?”Joesurprisinglysaidpolitely.Thekingwhispered“IthinkIhave somethingthatcanhelpyou.Johnsaidcuriously“Well,whatisit?”Thekingwaswhispering veryveryquietlyandnowsaid“it’sasecret,oknoneoftheWawa’sknow,(excepttheguards know)So,letmeshowyou.”

JohnandJoewalkedwithOdin,thekingoftheWawa’stofindtheultimatepizza.They appearedatsomesortofabunker.“Thisismysecretkitchen.”“Really????!!!!That’sit?!”Joe saidveryannoyed.“Trustmeitgetsbetter,”Odinsaid.Thekingputinasecretcodeonthe touchpadtothesideofthedoor,thedoorslowlyriseswhileJohnandJoeeagerlywait.Thedoor opensandJohnandJoeareastonishedtheycan’tbelievewhattheywereseeing.

By Saif M., Grade 4

AChore

IwasinastoreandIwasabouttobuymore “Moreofwhat?”theregisterpersonasked Isay,“Moreofacompositionnotebook” Whyyoumayask Becauseitwassocloseinmygrasp

Ibuyitandheadoutthestore Ireceivedatextfrommymomtodothe chores

Iheadhomeandarrive Ilookthroughmypocketformykey “SHOOT”Iforgotitathome Funfact,IliveinRome

Irememberedtherewasakeyundertherug Iopenthehouseandtherewasamug

Igotomybedroomandplaysomebrawl stars

Ilooktotherightandseeaguitar Iplayfortherestoftheday

Iseemymom’scarpullingupandIduck Irundownthestairswithascare

IdothedishesasfastasIcanwithaplanto sweepthefloor

Isweepsweepandkeepbacktoputthe broomaway

ThereIhearaclankandmyfacebecomes blank

MymomwalksinandsheasksifIamokay Ireplysaying“yeah,Ididthechores” Shesaid“goodjob”andwalkedaway

By Joseph K., Grade 7

Iran

Mybeautifulculture

Myunderappreciatedculture

Thewomenwhogetlookedatunderamicroscope

Themenwiththedominanceoverothers andthegovernmentwalkingaroundinastyleliketheirheadshavebeenchoppedoff

ThewomenandchildrentremblingaroundIran

Whileothersthinkoftheirpast

Whatpeoplethinkbecomestereotypes

Whichthenleadstoracialjudgments Peoplesay“ohsoyou’reterrorists” “Yourcountryisanabomination” Butno,it’sbeautiful.

Thesmoothhills,theminivillages Thebloomingflowersinthespring Themouthwateringfood

Thegenerouspeopleunderverycorruptleaders It'snotokay.It’snotfine. Weneedachangeatjusttherighttime Cometogether,let'strainourmindsetfromjudgementtounderstanding connectingandfeelingisallweneed Iranisnotabadcountrywejustneedtofixafewthings

By Rohan T., Grade 6

Dreams

Layonyourbed

Letnewthoughtsfillyourhead Andwhenyoufinallycloseyoureyes…

Fallintoacloudjustintime

Youcanplayaround. Buthearnosound. Youdreamofafamousmoviestar Orlayingbythepooleatingcaviar! Youdreamofwhatthefutureisgonnabe Orjusttoday,we’llsee!

Dreamscanbefunandfulloftwirls! Let’slookontheotherside,can’twegirls! Sometimesit’sanightmarenotadream! Sometimesit’sdarkandnojellybeans! Sometimesyoufeellikeyou’reabouttofall! Butthankfullyyou’llwakeupfromitall! Tossingandturningdreamskeepyouawake Lookatthetimeit’sgettinglate!

*There are many things to dream about So never give up!

By Libby B., Grade 3

By Will L., Grade 4

MyEyes

Ilikemyeyes.Theyaredarkbrown,thereisalittleblackdotinthecenter,andtherestisjust white.IlikethembecauseIgettoseeeverything.Thecolorsofflowersandribbons.Igettosee allthecolorsofanimals.Withoutyoureyesyoucouldnotseeandplaygames.Youwould alwaysbumpintothingsandfalldownthestairs.ThisiswhyIlikemyeyes.

By Shaylan, Grade 3

GoblinDude

Unfixable

Tocovertheworldwithcoloredwindows, Addhuetothegrayscaleearth, Deepentheuniversewesurviveintoday. Theuniversethatwedestroy, Objectbyobject, Placebyplace, Likeagreencaterpillar Eatingaleaf

Pollutioncovershomelike Asuffocatingblanket, Norelease, Absolutelyrelentless, Aworldwithunlaughablepeople,

Color,animals,plants, Aworldwithout Life.

That’stheworldwelivein, Today, Still.

It’sprobablyunfixablebynow, Likeashatteredwindow.

Whowillglueitbacktogether, Andhow?

By Valentine B., Grade 6

JaguarinMe

ThereisablackjaguarinmeWithcuteeyeslikeasoftpillow itsoundsveryquiet Asifit'snoteventhere. Likealeaftouchingtheground.itmovesfastlikeashooting star, Evenfasterthanthat ItlivesinmyheartAndmakesmehappy IwishIwereone Itmakesmewanttojumpinhappiness!&makesmefeellikea jaguarmyself

Art & Words By Sienna L., Grade 1

WhenIam100yearsold

Iwillberetiredandfamous.IwillbefamousbecauseIwillmakehamstermazesforhamster videos.IwillknowhowtomakethembecauseIamanengineer.IwillliveinSanFrancisco becauseofitsfairweather

By Alexei L., Grade 2

Timeless

Thereasonoflifeexistence

Thedrippingbutsoothingblandtaste

Theconstantdesirebutthelimitedexcess

Theneedsaremorethanthewastes Thesickeningpeople'sneeds needtobeoverthepeoplewhohavetoomuch Workingforalivingcomesandgoes butwaterkeepsflowing Judgingdiscriminationtowardsothers becomeswhoyouarebutdoesn’tchangewhoyouwillbeinthefuture absorbitanddeeplytakeitin Itmaylastforeverbutitisnowthatitisthetime

By Rohan T., Grade 6

TwoWorlds,OneCity

EverytimeIpassthroughtheTenderloinneighborhood,Idon’tseetheSanFranciscoI know,butacitymoresimilartoanapocalypse.Suchasahaggardmanpassedoutovertakenby drugsorapersonrunningthroughthestreetsnaked.Thesesightsarenotuncommoninthe Tenderloin,animpoverishedneighborhoodfullofhomelesspeople.Ihaveseenfirst-handhow diversemycityis,yetthejarringsightofapersonlifelessonthesidewalkisraw.Although uncomfortable,suchexperienceshelpmeunderstandthatdiversityoftencomeswithinequality, bothinmycityandaroundtheworld.TheresidentsoftheTenderloinareseeminglylooked downuponbecauseoftheirclass,inthiscasebeinghomeless.Theylivewiththechaosoflifeon thestreetsandwidespreaddrugabuse,eveniftheythemselvesarenotsufferingfromthese problems.Thegrit,crime,danger,andpoorpublicspacesandresourcesavailabletoTenderloin residentssharplycontrastwithmyversionofSanFrancisco,lifeinPacificHeights,a neighborhoodfullofsafestreets,cleansidewalks,well-manicuredparksandplaygrounds,and top-tierschools.Bringingtolifepersonalstoriesthroughstorytellingcreatesempathywith audiencesandanintimateexperienceforthereaderorlistenertoappreciateadifferent perspectiveandlife-shapingcircumstances.

Onesuchstorythatresonateswithmypersonalexperienceis Borderless,inwhichthe protagonist,Maya,livesintheGuatemalaCityslums.Likeme,shesawtwovastlydifferent worldsinhercity.Eachdaystartedandendedinherdangerousslumrifewithgangviolence, bookendingherdailyescapetothewealthyneighborhoodtoattendthecountry’sleadingfashion school.ThewayMaya’sstoryistoldin Borderless mademefeelasthoughIwaswithher, equallyvividasmyownjourneycrossingtwooppositeworldsdefinedbyclass.Thisthemeofa protagonisttryingtoescapeunjustcircumstancesinsearchofabetterlifeiscentralto Borderless andalsoevidentinthenovels March, The Secret Life of Bees, and To Kill a Mockingbird. In somecaseslikeJohnLewisin March,theprotagonistnotonlyescapestheinequalityhimselfbut alsoactivelyworkstoimprovethelivesofothers,withsit-insandpeacefulprotestsforjustice.In addition,theseprotagonists’storiesfurtheredmyunderstandingofinequalitybeyondjusta surface-level,bringingagreaterappreciationofthecultureandmindsetofsomeinthese communities.Forexample,althoughaslumisanunder-privilegedneighborhoodwherepeople areoftenneglected,thereisacultureofacknowledgementandworkinghardtogainabetterlife, versusacceptingdefeat.ThiswascertainlythecasewithMayaandhermom.Ihaverealizedthis isalsothecasewithmanyintheTenderloin,tryingtogetbackontheirfeetthroughwork programsanddrugrehabilitation.Inowhavemoreempathy.

WhenIpersonallyidentifywithaprotagonistofafilmorbook,itiseasyformetobe inspiredandseehowmylifecouldevolveinasimilarway WhenwatchingtheJamesBond movieseries,Iseemanysimilaritiesinoursharedrace,class,gender,andadventuresaroundthe world,makingiteasytoimaginewhatmylifewouldbelikeinasimilarrole.Incontrast,whenI readabookwithaprotagonistIdonotidentifywith,Igainvaluableinsightsintotheirlives, whicharemademorelucidthroughstorytelling.Thisallowsmetonoticeoursimilaritiesand embracedifferencesthatotherwiseseparateus.Byleaningintothedifferences,Icanlearnmore aboutacertaincharacter’s cultureandlifes.NotonlydidIlearntoappreciateslumculturein Borderless butalsothechallengesandhopesofimmigrants’journeying totheU.S.Thisis somethingmillionsofpeopleendureeachyearthatIpreviouslyhadnoinsightinto.Exposureto bothtypesofprotagonists-thosethatprovidea“mirror”anda“window”-ispowerful,helping toinspire,developempathy,andenvisionwhatcouldbe.

Thestateofourworldtodayhasmanyformsofinequality,butIbelievethebiggestissue isagrowingdividebetween differentclassesinsociety Perhapsnowhereisthismoreevident thanSanFrancisco,contrastingtheworld’shubofinnovation,technology,andwealthwithsome ofthemostdisadvantagedcitizensthatsimplyseemleftbehind.Thisisaverydifficultproblem tosolve.However,afterseeingthisinequalitywithmyowneyesandreadingthesebooks,I believecreatingawarenessanddevelopingempathyamongstabroaderpartofourpopulation throughstorytellingisveryeffective.Itbringsrealfacesandnamestotheproblem.Thisisan importantfirststep.IncreasedawarenessofinequalityandempathyforourfellowSan Franciscanswillhopefullypromptpeopletovolunteer,donate,support,andhelpgetthe homelessonamuchbetterpath,lesseningthedivide.Thisissueisnotjustinmycity,butone thatisapparentworldwide.

By Stefano A., Grade 8

MyTeeth

Ilikemyteethbecausetheyhelpmeeat, chew,andcrunch.Surelywithoutourteeth wewouldhavenofun.Whenyourtooth fallsoutit’snothingtobeashamedof,forif youputitunderyourpillowamagical personappearsfromanunknownplaceand tradescleanteethforgoldcoins,shininglike yourownteeth.WithoutmyteethIcould notchewandwouldhavetoeatsoupand bananas,definitelynottoday.

By Emerson L., Grade 2

Ordinary

Ordinary,mediocre,lame alldifferentwordstoputyoutoshame don'tletshakeyou,fakeyou,orbakeyou Ordinary sike

Extraordinary lifeisshort,don’tletitpassyouby letitbeknown,yournotreadytodie yourhere,youruniqueinyourownway sodon’tletothersmakeyourlifegray

Rightnowisthehour sotakeadeepbreath, reelinthatpower youarewhoaresodon’tbesour you’veputthework,thetime,andtheeffort you’rehappyandmerry certainlynotordinary

By Malcolm C., Grade 7

MyEyes

Ilikemyeyes.Theyaredarkbrown,thereis alittleblackdotinthecenter,andtherestis justwhite.IlikethembecauseIgettosee everything.Thecolorsofflowersand ribbons.Igettoseeallthecolorsofanimals. Withoutyoureyesyoucouldnotseeand playgames.Youwouldalwaysbumpinto thingsandfalldownthestairs.ThisiswhyI likemyeyes.

By Shaylan, Grade 3

Weirdhuman

Weirdhuman Giveme

Sweetstickycold

By Penelope Y., Grade 6

Whatturnsmyfrownupsidedown

Cute,pretty,OlivaRodrigo Fun,Happy,puppies,dogs

Talented,adorable,cats

Love’shat’s,capybaras

Gettingattention,turtles

By Valentina H., Grade 3

EulogyofDeath

Thehumanmindisthemostfrighteningthingofall.I’vewalkedthroughthemindsof madmen,journeyedthroughthewhispersduringthetimesofdesperation.Ihavebornewitness tothedestructionofcivilizationsnotbecauseofplagueorlackofresources,butbecauseofthe cursedthoughtsfesteringbehindhumaneyes.Theunrivaledgeniusdedicatedtobeingthemost dangerous,tohavingtheworldundertheirthumb.

Iwas,atonepoint,knownasDeath.TheGrimReaper TherighthandmanofHades. Aftercivilizationcrumbledandcitieswererazed,machinesbuilttoservetookoverandallhope fortranquilityvanished,Iwalkedfree.ItookwhomeverIpleased,andtheairwasfulloffinal breaths.

Andyet.Someremained,theoneswhofearedmypresencemost.Theoneswhoatelast tomakesurethefoodwasn’tcontaminated.Theoneswhodidn’tinvestigatethescreamthat shatteredthroughtheair.Ofcourse,Ishouldhavetakenthemintomyclutches,asismyjob,but somethingmademepause.Aforce,olderthanevenme,startedstirring.Desperationandhopeto seeanewday.Notjustthewilltosurvive,butto live.Iwatchedandgainedappreciationforthiswhateverthiswas.Ihavealwaysbeenapartofhumanity.Iwastheend,ofcourse,butIwasalso theirdefinitethroughoutgenerations.Iwastheever-present,ceaselessforcethattheytriedin vaintodefeat.

SohereIstood,watchingtheirnumberswither,andIfeltmyselfweaken.EverylifeI claimedwasnolongerpreservingme,buttakingawayfrommybeing.Iwasdoomingmyself.I didsomethingIhadneverdonebefore.

Iprotectedthem.

Atfirst,itwassubtleandeasytooverlook.Iwhisperedintheearofthestarvingfamily wherethestashofcannedfoodwas.Iblockedtheviewofthedroneoverheadwithadensefog.

Slowly,myactionsstartedtobolden.Ipushedthefeetofthetravelerinthedirectionofwater.I blewleavesoverthecamerasandsensorsofthemachines.

Naturally,theystartedtonoticeme.Iheardwhispersof“theluckofthegodsonearth” and“theinvisibleprotector”.Theydidn’tknowthatitwasme,theforcetheyhadsovehemently foughtagainst.

Soon,theygavemeanewname. Life.AndIresisteditbecauseitfeltwrong.

Foracentury,Ibattledaninternalwaroverthisnewname,untilonedayIheardlaughter andsinging.Forthefirsttimesincethisallstarted,Irememberedwhatmademechange.I rememberedthequietstrengthofthemotherwatchingherchildrenthroughthenight,thesteady forceofthegrandfatherwatchinghisgrandsontakehisfirststepsinthisterrifying,beautiful world.Theychoseto try.

SoIembracedthename.

Istartedwhisperingideasintonewminds,waystogrowfoodinthedesolateland,ways tocleanwhatlittlewatercouldbefound.Eventually,theybuiltbunkersundergroundandmoved intothemtobeprotectedfromthesurveillancedrones.I,theever-presentforceattheirbacks, wentwiththem.Foryousee,Iwasnowpartialtothestrange,joyouswaysofhumans.Theway theyembracedlifefully.Thewaytheyhaddreamsandhopesoutsideofseeingtomorrow.I helpedreturnhumanitytoitsformerglory,becauseIwastheonlyonewhorememberedwhat lifeusedtobelike.Igaveitbacktothemlikeadaughtermightgivehermotherapreciousitem thathad,unbeknownsttothedaughter,oncebelongedtothemother.

Sotheyembracedeverything.Soon,theystartedmakingstatues,notofgodsorleaders, butofconceptsandforces.Oneofthemwasgivenmynewname,Life.Itwasacloakedfigure withnofeatures,justinscribedwiththewords,“FromDeathanddespairwearebroughtforward byLife”.Itwasstrange,havingtwopartsofmeseenascompletelydifferent.Howfrightening.

Therecameatime,generationslater,whenanewdiseasearose.Ifeltmyhungerfor takinglivesbegintocreeptowardsthesurface.ButIfought.Ifoughttokeepmyselfunder control,bothformysakeandtheirs.Iguidedthehandofthewomanwhowasonthevergeof savingeveryone.Igaveherthemissingpiece.

I’mnotwhatIoncewas.I’mnottheend.Iam Life.

By Zoë F., Grade 8

MyHappy

Myhappyisyellow/pink. Myhappyisadogthatiswaggingitstail. Myhappysoundslikeraindrops. Myhappytasteslikeburgers/friesthataresavory. Myhappysmellslikeroses. Myhappyfeelslikeplayingvolleyball. MyhappymakesmeexcitedandIlaugh.

By Ella K., Grade 3

Gettingup

PoodleinMe

Thereisapoodleinme

Withsoftfurlikeastuffy

Itsoundslikeababydog.“Ruff-Ruff!” Itmoveskindoffastandslow

Likeasnailcrawlingtoatree

Itlivesinmyheart

Andmakesmelaugh IwishIwasapoodle

Itmakesmewanttosay,“Awwww!!!” Itmakesmefeelhappy

By Ahyan Grade 1

Asmyeyelidsopen,Igetashineofsunlight quiteliterallythereflectionoffthesun Itrytoclosemyeyesbutthelightwavesareunbearable It’simpossible Ican't Icount123 anduseallmyweighttogetuponmybuttocks nooooooo

Ifallbackdown,onmybackbone Itelltomyself, Ifigetup,Iwillgivemyselfcookies maybeiftryonemoretime, Iwillsucceed

3,2,1 Go

Iusemymomentumtolandonmybuttocks Standup,Itellmyself. SomuchweightgoestomyquadsasIstandup. Yesssss,Goodboy Itellmyself

By Jonathan K, Grade 7

WhenIam100yearsold

IamgoingtoliveinHawaiiin2117.Imightretirein2117.Iusedtoplayflagfootballandifyou playedflagfootballyouprobablywillwineverygameandneverloseandlivewithmyfamily mytwokidsmyonedogandmywife.WillyouliveinHawaiiwhenyou’re100?Whatwillyour lifebewhenyour100?

By Dylan, Grade 2

WhenIAm100YearsOld

Doyouthinkyouwillberetiredatage100?Iwillberetiredfrommakinglegos!Myfamilyis meandmytwobrothers!Mydaywillbesimple.Iwillsleepin,buildlegos,thenbikethensleep again!

By Taj Grade 2

SCHOOL

By Will V. and Hudson A., Grade 4

StuartHall

ExplanationoftheJoke“GuessWhat?ChickenButt!”

Haveyoueverheardthejoke:“Guesswhat?Chickenbutt!”Well,Ihave,andI’msureyouhave too.Andwhileyoumayhearthisjokeseveraltimesoverthecourseofaday,haveyouever stoppedtothinkofthemanythingsbehindthescenesthatcouldmakethisjokefunny?Thejoke “Guesswhat?Chickenbutt!”isactuallyaveryhumorousjokethattakesintoconsiderationthe manycomplexvariablesandsituationsleadingtotheoverallfunninessofthisjoke,the enjoymentandpleasureoftherecipient,andthesatisfactionbythespeaker,knowingthatyou havejustdeliveredquitepossiblythefunniestjokeofalltime.

AtStuartHallforBoysandConventoftheSacredHeartschoolforgirls,MrFishmanteaches youthebasicrulesofEnglish.Oneoftheserulesistheruleofrhymes.Usingthisrule,youcan findthat“butt”rhymeswith“what”,eventhoughtheendingsmightnotbethesame.Whilethis isseeminglyinsignificant,thismakesaconnectionbetweenthesetwoseeminglyunrelated wordsandtherefore,makesthisjokeveryfunny,duetothebasicrulesofEnglishthatwould allowthistohappen.Thefunninessofthisparticularjokeisfurtherpushedbythefactthatit wouldmakenosenseundernormalcircumstancestousethevocabularyinthissentenceoutof context.Forexample,Thephrase“chickenbutt”hasnomeaningwhatsoeverinanormal everydayconversation.Evenwhenusedinthisparticularinstance,thiswouldstillnotmake sense,asthephrase“chickenbutt”shouldnevermakesenseinanysituationthatyoucouldthink of,otherthantheexplanationofthebasicprinciplesofbiologyusedtoidentifythebodypartsof achicken.Howeverthisisnotbiologyclass,and“chickenbutt”stilldoesnotmakesenseinany context.Butinasurprisingturn,thisisactuallythebeautyofthisjoke.Therandomnessofthese twounrelatedwordsthatareseeminglygibberish,combinedwiththedeliveryofthismessage formsabeautifuljokethatfullyenvelopsthepurejoyandexcitementofhearingthisjoke.Allin all,whilethephrase“Guesswhat?Chickenbutt!”mayhavestartedoutasarandomsetofwords meanttoconfusethereaderinafunnyandhilariousway,ithasblossomedintoafullblownway oflife,encapsulatingthefeelingthatisassociatedwithlaughterandjoy,makingitanalltime greatjokethatwillbeusedforyearstocome,gettingfunnierandevenmorehilariouseverytime thatitgracesuponyourears.

By Dresden D., Grade 7

DCPoem

Wetraveledbyplane totheplacewithmuchfame Wherewerememberthepain ofthosewhofoughtbutnotinvain Wherewedeclaredfromtheruleofthecruel Theytreatedasafool withasmuchpowerasmule butthatonlygavefuel Sowethrewtheteaintotheroughsea Declaringwewanttobefree

By Theo W., Grade 7

TheBestTest

ThereoncewasMrs.Hollandwhogaveusatest. Andweallgaveitourverybest. Wedidnotdreamoficecreamanditwasavery funnymeme.

Andwithoutanyrest.

By Sydney B., Grade 2

TheSolarSystem

By Jonathan N. and Avery N., Grade 4

Iusedtoflyhigh onswingsfarofftheground. MyfriendsandIwouldlaugh andchaseeachotheraround.

Whentheschoolbellrang, we’dgobackinside anddolittlepuzzles withaworksheetasourguide.

ThenI’dgohome andmaybeIwoulddoze, fallingasleeponthecouch whilewatchingmyfavoriteshows.

ButI’vegottenolder andthosedaysaregone. Alongwiththosemoments andthatcouchIslepton.

Nowthere’snopuzzles butinsteadjustaphone. AndnowIjuststudy whenI’mathomealone.

Butmaybe,justmaybe everynowandthen I’llgototheoldplayground andmaybebringafriend.

We’lltalkforawhile andsitonoldswings. Buttheirchainsareallrusted andthatbellneverrings.

By Phoebe E., Grade 7

Memories

Schoolisanightmare, awolfinaherdofsheep.

Astainonaperfectlycleanshirt, Themonsterthathauntsyoursleep.

Idon’tseeitthatway Myviewissquinted different.

Tome, schoolisnotsuchadrag, atigeronahunt.

Ofcourseit’llcomeatsomepoint, findpreyinthedeep.

Otherwiseawearycat, Fastandsoundasleep.

Myfriendsthatmakemelaugh, Mysmileisso massive.

Evenatmylowestof lows, Myworriesjust taper and fade.

Friendsdon’tlastlong, Soonwewillpart.

Wemaynevermeetagain, Butthesemoments, thesememories,

Lastan eternity.

By Peyton P., Grade 6

ADVENTURE & FANTASY

TheLion,theWitch,andtheWardrobe

Art by Abigail, Grade 5

ItWasSupposedToBeUnsinkable

“Youneedtostartpacking,”mymomyelledfromherroom Iwasgoingtogoonaschooltripin3days,Ihaven’tevenstarted,it’sAprilof1912,and I’mreadytoboardtheTitanic.Myparentswantmetohaveexperience,andI’venevertraveled byseaoralonewithoutthem.“I’matthatage,”theytellme.I’vehearditonetoomanytimes.I havetobeinNewYorkforaschooltrip;mostoftheschoolistakingtheTitanicshipmyparents don’twantmetomissout.Besides,it’saboutlearninghowtotakecareofmyself,takingmy Dramamine,Icangetmotionsick,butit’sneverthatbad.Mymomfinallycalledmefordinner.I hadonlypackedabit,Ihad3days.

Iwalkeddownthestairswheremymomanddadwerealreadysitting.

“How’sthepackinggoing?”Mydadasked “It’sgoingokay,butI’mnowhereneardone.”

Afewdayslater…

“Betty,youneedtogetup,wehavetobeonthedockat6.”Mymomwasdesperately tryingtogetmeup.

“Ugh,fine,”Imoanedandreluctantlygotup.Mymomwasalreadydownthestairs.

“Bedownin5forbreakfast.”Sheyelledfromthekitchen.IquicklyputontheclothesI hadlaidoutthepreviousnight.WhenIgotintothekitchen,therewasapieceoftoastwaitingfor meonthecountertop.Wheremymomanddadweresitting,eatingtheirown.Mymomaskedme “Sweetie,you'redrivingyourself,correct?”

“Well,actually,Hazel'sbrotherisdrivingus;he’spickingusupsoon.”

“Oh,okay,that’sfine.Justbecareful,hecanbearecklessdriver.”Shelookedatme, concerned.Ithinkshewasabouttosaysomethingelse,butlookedreluctant.“Areyousureyou don’twanttodriveyourself,andDad'savailableifyouwanthimtodriveyou?”Itookabiteof mytoastandshookmyhead.

“It’sokay,dadshouldhaveaneasymorningandheneedstogettoworkatagoodtime Conferences, dad conferences.” Imimickedthewayhecomplainsabouthisconferences.They gaveeachotherthelook,andMomsaidtome,

“Betty,don’tworryaboutitifyoureallywanttogowithyourfriend,thenthat'sfine.I guesswejustwantedtogiveyouapropergood-bye.”

“Thisisapropergood-bye,andI’llseeyousoonanyway,after3daysinNewYork,I’ll beonmywayhome.”

Little did I know, it wasn’t going to be like that.

Iheardanoiseoutside.Itwasmyfriendandherbrother Isortofhadtocraminsidewith mystuff.Thedrivetookawhile,andwhenwegotthere,itwasbustlingwithpeople. Hazel'sbrotheryelled,

“GetOUTofmycarwe’rehere.”Igotout,butmyfriendtoldhim.

“It’sgoingtobemycarsoon.”Sheslammedthedoor.Whenwefinallyboarded,wegot toourbunk.Wedroppedallourstuffinsideandunpackedafterwards,andweheadedtothefront oftheship.Wewereoutonthewaterforatleasttenminutes,andtheviewwasnice,which distractedmefrombeingabletofeelhomesick.Itwasallgoingwell,andIhadaniceeveningon theship.

Weheadeddowntoourbunktogether,HazelandI.Wetalkedforawhile(longerthanwe should’ve).“Ourparentswouldbesomad!”Hazelsaidtome.Shewasright,butitfeltgood. Afterawhile,webegantofallasleep,butIawoketowhatIthoughtwasanalternatereality.I thoughtitwasjustmyheadhallucinating. It was more of a hope.

“Outofyourbunks!”Amanhollered.“Wehitaniceberg!” Otherpeopleshouted.Bythistime,Hazelwasawake.“We.Need.To.Get.Out.Now!”I wastakingsharpbreathsinbetween.Noonesaidanything,wejustdid.Wemusthavebeenlate gettingthere,becauseweweretoldtojustjumpoutonthelifeboats.Wedidasweweretold. AlthoughIhadtobalanceitwasfine.Thewatersgotreallyrough.Hazel,besideme,was panicking.Itseemedlikeshehadtroublebreathingthroughherpanickedtears.Ihelpedher; luckily,IpickedupmywaterbottlebeforeIleftthebunkroom.Thoughitwasmoreofahot waterbottle,ithelpedalot.“It’sgoingtobeokay,”Itoldher Ifeltreallyscaredtoo,butIhadto staystrongforher.Thewatersbegangettingrough,Imovedoversoshewouldhaveevenmore room.Weheldhandssowewouldn’tfallapart.SomehowourgriploosenedItippedover “BETTY,TRYTOGETUP,BETTY!”Shewasscreaminginapanic.Everythingsortofblurred. Ihadforgottenhername,Ihadnoideawhothisgirlwas.Thisiswheremynarrationends, becauseIdon’thavealifetonarrateanymore.

By Emma D., Grade 6

PawstothePedal

Panel1

Title:PawstothePedal

By-line:ByFinnK.

Panel2

Image: Adoglookingthroughafenceat somecarsinaparkinglot.

Caption/Exposition Box: Everyday,Coco looksthroughthefenceattheusedcarlot nexttoherhouse.Shelovestheshinyones thatpurr

Dialog/Speech Balloon: (Thoughtballoon featuringaredsportscar)

Character Name: Coco

Panel3

Image: Coco’sownerexaminingan announcementboardwitha“BringYour DogtoWorkDay”notice.

Caption/Exposition Box: Coco’sownersare excitedtobringhertowork.

Dialog/Speech Balloon: “Weshouldbring Coco!”

Panel4

Image: Coco’sownerplacingherintothe backofhisgraySUV.

Caption/Exposition Box: Cocoisexcitedfor morethanjustgoingtoherowner’s workplace…

Dialog/Speech Balloon: Owner:“Good girl.”

Panel5

Image: Cocowatchingherownerdrive closely.

Caption/Exposition Box: Shewatcheshim intentlyashedrives.Thepedals,the steeringwheel—sheseesitalland understands.

Dialog/Speech Balloon: *(Thoughtballoon: “Herdriving”)*

Panel6

Image:Cocogettingoutofthecar

Caption/Exposition Box: Coco’sowner worksatacardealership.

Dialog/Speech Balloons:

Owner: “Heyman,thisisCoco!”

Co-worker: “She’sbeautiful!”

Panel7

Image: CocogazingatablackRolls-Royce alongsideotherelegantcars.

Caption/Exposition Box: Shestartsgetting ideas…

Dialog/Speech Balloon: (Thoughtbubble withkeysinit)

Panel8

Image: Cocogettingbackintoherowner’s car.

Caption/Exposition Box: Backtothecar again.

Dialog/Speech Balloon: None

Panel9

Image: Coco’sownerplacingthekeyson thecounterinfrontofCoco.

Caption/Exposition Box: None

Dialog/Speech Balloon: *(Thoughtbubble: “Itwouldbesoeasy”)*

Panel10

Image: Cocoretrievingthekeysoffthe counterwithhermouth.

Caption/Exposition Box: None

Dialog/Speech Balloon: None

Panel11

Image: Cocoopeningthecardoorby pushingitopenwithhersnout.

Caption/Exposition Box: None

Dialog/Speech Balloon: None

Panel12

Image: Cocopressingthestart-upbutton withasmileonherface.

Caption/Exposition Box: Thisisthemoment she’sbeenwaitingfor

Dialog/Speech Balloon: “Bark!”

Panel13

Image: Cocodrivingthecardownthestreet withdustcloudsrisingbehindit.

Caption/Exposition Box: Sheridesoffinto thesunset…

Dialog/Speech Balloon: None

Panel14

Image: Cocointhebackofapolicecar, whilethecarshehadbeendrivingisona towtruck.

Caption/Exposition Box: …untilthepolice broughtherhome.

Dialog/Speech Balloon: PoliceOfficer: “I’veneverseenanythinglikethis!”

Panel15

Image: Cocosittingonthecouchwithher ownerandhiswife.

Caption/Exposition Box: Cocolivedhappily everafter—neveragaininacarorbehind thewheel.

Dialog/Speech Balloon: Wife:“Goodgirl, Coco!”

By Finn K., Grade 7

Chaos.Theroofwascrumbling.Fireanddebrisraineddown.Achunkoftheroofcaved inoverme,andIjumpedoutofthewayandbackedupagainstthewall.Iheardaloudsmashas aGiganotosaurus’headburstthroughthewallIwasleaningagainst.Irolledoutoftheway, hidingjustinitsblindspot.“Don'tpanic,”Isaidtomyself,“youknoweverythingthere'sto knowaboutthesecreatures.”AllIneededtodowashideintheirblindspotsandescapethe crumblingschool.Justthen,Iheardsomeoneshriek.

“Helpme!”Iwatchedasthekidwhohadbulliedmesince3rdgradegotcarriedupbya Pterodactyl.Itflewovermyheadbeforebeingdive-bombedbyotherPterodactyls.Theblood andfleshraineddownonme.IjumpedthroughtheholetheGiganotosaurushadmadeand boltedforthetreesinthenearbypark.ThenIsawthesafehaveninagroupofAnkylosauruses

T-rex By MJ G., Grade 4

TheChaos

andTriceratops.IsloweddownsoIdidn'tscarethemaway.Theyallraisedtheirheadstolookat measthealphaofthepackcametowardsme.Iextendedmyhandtotrytowinitstrust.The worldlaunchedintoslowmotion.Thesirensslowed,andthescreamsseemeddistantaspainshot throughmyback.Clawstorethroughmyshirt,andIscreamedinpainastheVelociraptorbitinto myneck,andIpassedout.

Hello,mynameisZanderMcCawe.Beforethedinosaurapocalypse,IlivedinSan Francisco,California.MymomandIlivedintheCastroandwereliving“paycheckto paycheck,”asmymomputit.IattendedtheNewSchoolofSanFrancisco.Isupposeyouwant toknowwhathappenedbeforeandafterthedinosaurapocalypse,andhowIhavesurvivedayear andahalfinthisworldofflamesanddeath.

Beforetheattack,thewholemiddleschoolsectionwasinthegymforanassembly.It wastheusualnonsenseandmostlydirectedattheboys.Don'tlockthebathroomdoorsonthe inside,don'tshovepeople'sheadsinthetoilet,andnograffiti.Iwas100%tunedoutwhenwe heardthefirstsiren,thenanother,thenanother Westoptolisten,butthatiswhenwehearamost unusualsound,likeagiantdinosaurroar,anditturnsoutthatiswhatitwas.

Wewereallscared,wonderingwhathadmadethesound,whenamassiveBrachiosaurus smashedthroughtherightwallofthegym.Thatiswhenchaosensued.Peoplewererunningfor theirliveseverywhere.

“Comeon,Zander,”shoutedmybestfriend,Royce.

“Weneedtogetoutintotheopenandplaydead.We’relesslikelytobeeatenifwelook dead,”Ishoutedoverthesoundofthechaos.TheT RexandBrachiosaurusfightinghadcaused theroomandwallstobegintocavein,butasthePterodactylsdescendedfromtheroof,Irisked onelastglancebackatthemaincenterofthechaos.

“Comeon,man,”Royceshouted.Justthen,atwo-tonblockofconcretefellfromthe roof,andIwatchedasitcrushedmygirlfriendunderneathit.Iwastoostunnedtomove,but Roycedoubledoverandpuked.Thatwaswhenagiganotosaurusburstthroughthewallwewere standingbyandchompedRoyceinhalfasIrolledoutoftheway.

Well,nowyouknowwhathappenedafterthat.Imiraculouslysurvivedtheraptorattack becauseoftheAnkylosaurusesandstartedtolivewiththemoverthenextyear.Overthattime,I managedtocollectsomesurvivorstolivewith,andbecauseofmydinosaurknowledge,wewere abouttoleavethepackandstartlivingonourown.Wehavebuiltatreehousefortinthe Presidio,andforthepastsixmonths,wehavelivedthere.Recently,weheardnewsoverAlice's makeshiftradiothatthegovernmenthadbeguntheconstructionofadinosaur-prooffortinUtah, andwearehopingtomakeitallthatwayifwecan.Tothisday,Idonotknowwhathappenedto mymomorourdog,butIcanonlyhopetheyarestillouttheresomewhere,living,justlikeme.

By Dylan M., Grade 8

Therizinosaurus

By MJ Grade 4

TheWittyWisdomWandsLibrary

OnceuponatimetherewasagirlnamedElizabethBrown,wholivedinafarawaytown wherejoyneverceasedtoexist.ItwasaSundaymorning,thefogwasrollinginandElizabith Brown,thesmartestgirlinhertown,wasatthelibrarytalkingtoMs.Errol.Shewasa human-sizedbrownowl,shewasaLibrarianwhotalksandwalksjustlikeahumanwould. Elizabethwasexcitedtodigintoherbookshewasreading,walkedovertothevelvetarmchairs nexttothefireonlytoseeaWandaboutfivefeettallrightinfrontofher!Itwasfloatinginthe airwithgoldaccentsswirlingupandarounditswoodbase.

“Whatintheworldareyou!?!”Elizabethyelledinsurprise. Thewandjumpedanditsaurabegantoglow.Textstartedtopopoutofthewand’stip thatread, Welcome, welcome I am the Witty Wisdom Wand. For ask me a question and I will respond. If the info is on a page, from any age, I will know. The days of knowledge are never over, for flip a page, and you will uncover curiosity even with impecuniosity “What?You,smarterthanI?Idon’tthinkso.I’mthesmartestgirlinthistown!”

TheWittyWisdomWand’sauraglowedagainandyetagaintextpoppedout, I suppose I am. Itread.Elizabethhadastinginherstomach.Shecouldn’tbelieveawandcouldpossiblybe smarterthanher!However,sheknewwhattodo.ToprovethatElizabethwassmartershewould findsomethingthatwouldstumptheWand.Shewouldoutsmartitsoshewouldstillbethe smartestinhertown,notashabbyoldwand!

Theverynextdayafterschool,Elizabethcameinready.Shewalkedovertothe bookshelves,scalingthewalls,lookingforanythingtostumptheWittyWisdomWand.Thesun wouldsetinfortyminutesandElizabethstillhadnothing.Ms.Errolcameoverandsaid, “Ms.Brown,Idosuggestyoulookoverinthenextsection.Youmayfindsomething moreinterestingthere.”

“Alrightthen.”

Elizabethwalkedovertothenextaisle,andaftersometimeshefoundtheperfect question!Elizabethranovertothewandandasked, “WhatwasthefirstreligionevercreatedinAfrica?”

ElizabethonlyfrownedatthesightoftheWandglowingandtextspillingoutofthetop. The first religion in Africa was the Orisha religion. Thewand,ofcourse,wascorrect.Shehad failed.

However,thatwasnotgoingtostopher.Theverynextdayafterschool,Elizabethcame tothelibrarytolookforaquestiontoaskthewand.SheaskedMs.Errolwhereallthemath bookswere,andwiththat,shewasoff.Hourswentby,andElizabethhadfinallygottenhernext question.ShewalkedovertothewandwiththebookofPiinherhand.

“Ihaveanotherquestionforyou,”Elizabethbegan.“Whatisthe105trillionthdigitin Pi?”

Thewandalmostinstantlyswirledwithitsglowspillingthetext, Oh I see, a math question. The 105 trillionth digit of Pi is 6.

“Whyisthissohard?”Elizabeththought.

Shewasn’tgoingtogiveupnow.Shewassoclose!Shecouldonlyfeelit.However,even hermindcouldfeelthepressureofgivingup.ShewantedtoacceptsomethingassmartasAIshe couldneverbeatnoroutsmart.Sheturnedonherheelandleftthelibrary,foritwasturningdark andshewasexpectedhome.

Asnightrolledin,thetownwasseenasaghosttown,forallwereasleep…exceptfor Elizabeth.ThesongtheWandhadsungwhentheyhadfirstmetwasstuckinherhead.Shesang itoverandoveragainlookingforsomethingshecoulduse.Howeverafterwhatfeltlikehours shewasreadytogiveupwhen–

“Igotit!”Sherememberedtheline, if the info is on a page from any age I will know That’sit!Theknowledgemustbewrittendownonsomethingforthewandtoknow!” Elizabethspenttherestofthenightthinkingoftheperfectplan,withoutwritingitdown, ofcourse.Herbodyfeltlikeitwouldfaint,andherbrainfeltasthoughitwouldpopopenlike popcornonapan.Shelaytherethinkinginsilence.

MorninghadcomeandElizabethhadnotforgottenthenightbefore.Theendofschool rolledaroundandshefeltasthoughshewouldexplodefromstress.Whatifshehumiliated herselfoncemore?Whatifthewandgottheanswerimmediately,andshelookedlikeafool?!? Elizabeth'sfeetweretremblingatthethoughtofit.

FinallyshereachedtheLibrary,walkingpastMs.Errolandtothearmchairstoseeyet againtheWittyWisdomWand.

“Hello,Ihaveariddleforyou.”Elizabethstartedtryingtokeepherconfidencehigh.

Thewandhadtextspillingoutatthesecond, oh a riddle, how lovely! Please tell me.

“Ohright,yes.”Elizabethtookadeepbreathandspoke.“Whathasthreefeetbutcan’t walk?Whathasaheadbutdoesn’tspeak?Whathasalockbuiltwithnokey?Whathasbraces butnoteeth?Andwhathasabodywithnoorgans?”

Thewandhadnoglowandnotext.Itsattherespinninguntilfinallythetextarrived, I know every page from every age but this, this has never been written down. I am sorry to say I do not seem to know the answer to that. What is the answer exactly? Elizabeth'sheartracedlikea runner.Shehaddoneit.

“Theansweris,atripod,”shesaidwithmuchdelight. ShehadoutsmartedtheWittyWisdomWand!Shehaddoneit!

AfterthattheWandandElizabethworkedtogethertouncovermysteriesandwritestories withtheirlargeimagination.Theybecamegoodfriends,neverfightingeveragain,andtheylived happilyeverafter.

By Abigail, Grade 5

August11,2792

Towhoeverfindsthemselvesreadingthismessage,youareunfortunatelyinabadsituation.The Republic,assumingitisstillstanding,hasslowlydegraded,goingfromaparadisetoadystopia thathasslowlygonerottenanddecayed.Evennow,wearerunningoutofresources.Barely beingabletoprovidethemonthlyrationstoourcitizens,thousandsstarvetodeatheachmonth withnospacetoburythem;theirbodiesareleftoutside,slowlydecaying.Everyonethatdiesis anotherfamilygone.Afterall,theyarenolongeraperfectfamily,andimperfectionsmustbe purged.Afterthat,thereisthenanewhouseforthenextgeneration.ThatishowtheRepublic neverrunsoutofspace:itisalwaysreopeningoldhouses.Eachhouseisthesametwo-story buildingwiththreeroomsandtwobathrooms;eachhousehasthesamefurnitureandthesame design.Thoughthesehousesseemamazingontheoutside,onceyoutrulylookatthem,their facadefadesaway Withnoresources,theRepublicneverrepairshouses;cloggedpipes,molding walls,andripped-offwallpaperareallcommontraitsinahouse.Becausethelandthatthe republicsettledonwastheoldcontinentofAsia,itwasrichinpreciousgemsandother resources;however,ithaslongsincebeenstrippedofitsresourcesandnaturalbeauty.Thereare manyotherproblemsintherepublic:drugabuse,suicide;however,totheroughlyonemillion soulsintherepublic,theonlythingontheirmindsisresistance.Theresistancewasanold rebellionthatnearlytookdowntheRepublic;itendedwithanuclearstrikedestroyingthe outsideworldandendingtheuprising.Thisiswhathappened,butthisisnotwhatthepeopleof theRepublicknow.Asfarastheyareconcerned,theresistanceisstillcorruptingandkillingthe peopleoftheRepublic.TheshadowyleadersoftheRepublicusetheguiseoftheresistanceto hidetheirfaultstodistracteveryone,keepingtheirmindsoffrealproblems.Thegovernment ruleswithfear,controllingthepopulation.Tokeepthembelievingthelieoftheresistance,the republicoftenbombsorkillsinnocentsinviolentmannersandblamesitontheresistance.The resistancehas“killed”somanyinnocentsthatevensayingthewordresistancewilltriggera massivereactionandwillmostlikelyendupwithabrokennoseandbruisedribs.Thoughthey alreadyhavecontrolofthepopulace,thegovernmentstillmakessuretohandoutharsh punishmentstothosewhostepoutofline,oftenresultinginastringofdisappearances.Thereare littlethingsallowedintherepublic;manytyrannicallawshavebeenputinplace,suchas

curfews,littletonoprivileges,andmanysimpleitemsthatbringjoybeingconsidered contraband.Alltheselimitsareputinplacetocontrolthepeopleandkeepthemunderthe government'sthumb.Thepeopleoftherepublichavedevelopedstrangeritualsbecauseoftheir conditions.Aftersomeonedies,itisnormalforafamilytosingsongsaroundtheirbodybefore leavingitoutside.Thisritualisperformedtoensurethatwhentheyalldie,theywillrejoinwith eachother.Thatistheendofthisentry.Imustgo.Iamnolongersafehere.Towhoeverfinds themselvesreadingthisentry,youhavebeenexposedtothetruth.Whentherepublicfindsout, youwillbehunteddownandkilledifyoudonotprotectyourself,exposetherepublicforwhat theytrulyare,endthispitifulsociety,andbringpeacetotheworld.

By Rishi K., Grade 7

TheMagicalSpoon

Onceuponatime,therewasayoungboynamedGeorge.Georgelivedasmallhouseperched majesticallyonarollinghillside.Helivedhappilywithhisfamily,helpingtendtothefarmlife. Everythingwasperfect.Well,almosteverything.Hisfatherstruggledtofindenoughfoodtofeed allsixmouths,plusthesheepandcows.Georgesometimeswenttobedwithnodinner Atnight, Georgewoulddreamofendlessbuffetsandall-you-can-eatdinners,butwhenhewouldawake thenextmorning,hewouldbebackinreality

Oneday,ashewasfeedingthesheep,henoticedamysteriousspoonlayinginthehay. Hepickeditupandlookedathisreflectiononitsrustysurface.Itwasanoldspoon,nothing fancy Georgefeltitssmoothhandleinhishandasheworked.Whenthedaywasover,hecarried thespoonbacktohisplaceatthekitchentable,whereasmallportionofcabbagesoupawaited him.Ashesatdowntotakehisfirstsip,hisstomachgrumbled.Hegentlyblewonhisfirstsip, carefulnottoburnhimself.Whenhefinallysippedthroughthespoon,heexpectedaslightly bitter,flavorlesssoup.Butwhathefeltwaswarmandsoftandfilledhimuprightaway George wassurprisedandwantedmorebuthewasalreadyfull.Hedecidedmaybethedreamshad finallystartedmessingwithhim.

Hewalkedtohisroom,changedintopajamas,andslowlyslidunderhisraggedysilk sheets.Whenheawokethenextmorningithadcometohim.Itwasthenewspoonthathad madehimfullthenightbefore!Totesthistheory,hewouldeatwiththespoonatbreakfast.He hurrieddownstairsinhispajamasskippingstepsashewent.Hesatdowneagertofindoutthe truth.HegrabbedaboxofhisfavoriteKrunch-eKrunchersandsnatchedupthehalf-empty cartonofmilk.Thespooninhand,Georgetookhisfirstbite.Thesamewarmfeelingwashed overhimashealmostshotupinjoy.Thiswouldbethemissingpiecetomakingeverything perfect!Heheadedtohisroominahurry,knowingwhattodonext.Hewouldslylysetthe spooninfrontofsomeoneinhisfamilyateachmeal.Thiswouldsurelywork.Georgethefarmboyfromtherollinghillsidehadcomeupwithageniusidea.

Fromthatdayonhewouldcontinueonhisbusinesscleaningthestallsandfeedingthe animals,butwhenhewasdonehewouldplacethespooninfrontofsomeone,givingthem warmthandspirit.Nomatterhowhisdaywent,healwaysfeltproudatdinnertime.

By Marshall M., Grade 5

LittleHouse

Thereoncewasalittlehouse withatinytinylittleBlouse thoughitdidnotfit thehousestillhadtosit onagiganticallybigmouse

By Caroline Grade 2

Mysuperpowersare…

Beingkindandcaringforothers!Iliketo helppeoplethatareinjured!Ithinkbeinga goodhelpermakesourschoolabetterplace!

By Michael H., Grade 2

MySuperPowers

Mysuperpowersarebeingstrongand speedyandbeingagoodsportbecauseI don’tbraganditmakestheworldabetter place.

By John C., Grade 2

MySuperpower

Mysuperpowersarebeingathleticandateamplayer becauseI'mgoodatsports.Beingateamplayeris importantbecausewecanworktogethertomakesports fun.

By Aaron D., Grade 2

Stitch

Silly

Trouble

Intelligent

Tantrums

Crazy

Heart

By Bella S. Grade 3

TheSpiritOfHalloween

Thebrickhousesonmystreet Linedwithkidssayingtrickortreat Thescentofleavesminglingintheair Mixedwiththejoyofthiscandiedaffair Thecrinkleofwrappersandmixofdelight Afeelingofeuphoriaatthesight Coveredinplasticisfoodcoloringandsugar Shielditfromthegazeofanonlooker Costumesconsistingofwolvesandghouls Ohhowthefullmoontakestheirsouls Sobrightitshinesinthenightsky Givinglighttowitchesonthefly Thedarknessloominginthenight Noonecanseewithoutalight Cautiontapefordecoration Sopureforaharrowedoccasion It’sgettinglateandkidswanttostay Buttheirparentsherdthemaway Nowtheteenagerscomeouttobeseen Theyareallmatchingwithatheme Sometrytogetlotsofcandy Toothers,hangingoutismoredandy Peoplehopetoavoidablackcat Buteveryonewilltakeapictureofabat Nowintheeveningglow Partieswillstarttoflow Noteverythingisasitseems Becarefulbecauseit’sHalloween.

By Alexandra T., Grade 7

HolidayDisaster

Thesunnyshinehitthewindow. reflectinglikeabaldhead. Todaywastheday

Thegreatday. Thebeautifulday Itwasourvacation.

AsIwaswalkingonthebeach. Withthesunshininghigh. Screamsfilledtheair AndRedfilledtheocean. Nothingseemedright. Foritwasasharkattack.

Ihittheground. Andboundtostay. TillIrealizedIwasonland. Igotupwiththejittersandthought. Peoplearedyinganddividing. SoIgrabbedmysonandabun.

Aimingwithallmymight. Andwithonequickmotion. Ifiredmysonlikeaboss. Missingthesharklikeabum. ThenIgotsturdyandhitthegriddy Gettingreadytohitthesharkwitha bullseye.

Withaquickmotion. Ithrewmybun. Hittingthesharkandthreadingtheneedle. Thenpeoplecelebratedmeeverywhere. Sonoweveryday, IthankGodandgetsturdy

By William P., Grade 7

TheMagicJournal!

Onceuponatime,inasmallvillagecalledCrescentFalls,therelivedalittlegirlnamed Olive.Shelovedtowritestorieswithdragons,monsters,princesses,andqueens.Theywere alwaysgoingonsomesortofadventurethatshewouldnevergettoexperience.AllOlivewanted inthewholewideworldwastogoonanadventure.But,aslongasshelivedherewiththe womanwhocalledherselfher“mom”,thatwouldneverhappen.ThisisthestoryofhowOlive provedeverybodywrong.

“Olive!Getdownhererightnow!”YelledOlive’smom. “Alright!I’mcoming!”Olivesaidinresponse.

ThisisanormalmorninginOlive'shouse.Shewakesup,goesdownstairstoeatasmall breakfastofbutteredtoast,andthenwalksintotowntobuyfoodfordinner.Shenevereatslunch. HermomthinksthattwomealsadayisenoughforOlive.Itreallyisn’t.Anytimeaftershegets backfromtownisdedicatedtochores.Youreadthatright,chores.It’sprobablythemost miserablepartofthedayforOlive.Then,sheeatsasmalldinner,takesacoldshower,andgoes tobed.Sometimes,ifshe’snottootired,Olivewillstayupandwritestories!Thatistheonly partofherdayOliveenjoysbesidesthebeautifulwalkinthewoodstotown.Ithelpshercalm

downandputsthedaysmanytroublesbehindher.Buttodayhowever,Olivecan’tcalmdown. ShehadthemostfunEVEROFHERLIFE!!!!!Thisishow.

Step,step,step.ThisisthesoundofOlivewalkingintotownonthebeautifulmorning path.ThedewisstillfreshonOlive’sflowersinhergarden.Herrosesglistenedinthemorning light.Itwasabeautifulday.Oliveskippedthroughthewoods.

“IlovewhenIgettimetomyself.”Shesaidhappily. Soon,shehadreachedthetown squarefullofherfavoritepeople.

“Hello,Olive!”

“Hifarmer,Idon’tknowthenameof!What’supfabricsellerwhoIalsodon’tknowthe nameof!”Olivesaidasshegreetedallofthemerchantswhosellthingsinthesquare.

“HIOLIVE!”Theyallyelledback.Onceallthevendorssaidhi,Olivewalkedintothe grocerymarkettobuybreadandcheese.

“HiOlive!Areyouherefortheusual?”Themanwhorunsthestoreasked.

“Yes,”Shesaidwithahintofboredom.

“Alrightthen.Here,Iamgoingtogiveyouadiscountsoyoucangobuysomethingfun! Hereyouare.”Andhehandedoverherfoodandmoney

Olivefeltlikethisdaycouldn’tgetanybetter!Shewasgoingtobeabletobuysomething fun!Allofthesudden,thingsstartedracingthroughhermind.Shouldshebuyatoyoratreat?A bookoranewsetofcrayons?Finally,shedecidedtobuyajournalandpen.Heroldjournalwas almostfullandherpenwasalmostoutofink.So,Olivewalkedovertothestationarystoreand openedthedoor Theshopwasverydustyandnoonewasatthecounter Orsoitseemed…

Allofthesudden,asmallwhiterabbitpoppedupbehindthecashregister.Hehadan elderlyappearanceandworeroundglasses.Olivethoughtthathewasthepetoftheowneruntil hesaid,“HelloOlive.Whatbringsyouheretoday?”ShewastakenabackbythisbecauseHE WASATALKINGRABBIT!Also,heknewhername!Olivepushedhershockbehindheras shetoldhim,“Iwouldliketobuyajournalandpen.”“Ah.”Hesaid.“Givemeamoment.”And justlikethat,thewiseshopkeeperdisappearedintothebackroom.

Foraboutfiveminutes,Olivewaitedbythecounter.Finally,thebunnycamebackand toldOlive,“Here.Thisisaveryspecialjournal.Ithinkyouwillfindgreatuseofit.Useit wisely…”Olivedidn’tknowwhatthatmeant.Itwasjustaregularyellowjournal.Andthepen wasOlive’sfavoritecolor,pink!Soshesaidthankyoutotheshopkeeper,paidhim,andleft.

“Thiswasprobablythebestdayofmywholelife!”Olivethought.“Maybe,justmaybe,I canhaveadayevenbetterthanthissoon.WOW,thatwouldbegreat.”

Onceshegothome,hermomyelledatherforbeinglate.Olivesaidsorry,fixedherselfa smallsliceofbread,anddashedtoherroom.Immediately,shereachedintohersatcheland pulledoutthejournal.Then,shestartedtowrite.

HernewstorywasaboutamonstercalledDiablos.He’ssuperevilandlovestotake peoplecaptive.Evenmoreevilthanateacherwhogivesamathtestonthefirstdayofschool! Andthat’shardtobeat.

Oliveworkedonthisstoryuntilhereyesstartedtodroopandsheslowlyslunkedintoher bed.Thesecondherexhaustedbodytouchedthecovers,shewasoutlikealight.

WhenOlivewoke,herbedroomfeltreallycold.No,notcold,FREEZING!Waita minute,thiswasn’therbedroom,itwasaforest!Noteventheforestinhertown.Itwasinthe middleofnowhere!Also,itwasverycreepy.Cobwebs,sharpstones,andtreesthatlooklike monstersloomedoverher.Oliverackedherbrainfortheanswer.Itfeltlikehoursuntilshe finallycametoaconclusion.Itwastheforestfromherstorylastnight!TheForestofDarkness. Howwasshehere?Whatwasgoingon?Howdidthishappen?Allthesequestionsflashed throughOlive’smind,andsoonsherealizedthatshesomehowgotINTOherstory!

Atthismoment,shefeltmoreconfusedthansheeverhadinherlife.Evenmorethan whenherschoolteachergaveheraveryhardspellingtest. Andthen,itdawnedonher.Itwas thejournal!Afeelingofdreadandfeargrewinthepitofherstomachasfastasflowersgrowin withconstantrain.Olivemadethedecisiontoforgetaboutherfearandfocusonfindingaway home.

Shefelthersatchelonherback,soshepulledoutherjournal.Itopeneduptoapage withouthertouchingit!Beforeherveryeyessatamap.Itsaid“Olive”ontheleftsideandthe words“MomandDad”ontheright.Theywereinsomethingcalled“TheCaveOfDiabolis”.But thatdidn'tmatter!Herparents!Shefoundthematlast!“YES!”Shecried,hervoicefullofjoy Shemighthaveyelledalittletooloudly,though,becauseagiantclubswungthroughtheairand everythingwentblack…

Olivefeltacoldclothonherforehead.Also,someonewasholdingherhand.“Ohmy littleOlive.Iamsohappywefinallyfoundyou!”Awoman’skindandsomehowfamiliarvoice said.

“Ohmybaby.”Aman’skindandalsofamiliarvoicesaidwithapainoflonging.When theclothcameoffherforehead,shefeltasearingpain.

“OUCH!”sheyelledasloudasherlittlevoicewouldgo.

“It’salright,sweetheart.”Thewomanrepliedtoherinacomfortingmanner.Olive managedtopushoutthenextfewwordsassheasked,

“Whoareyou?”Theyreplied,

“Weareyourparents.Eversincewelostyouatbirth,wehavebeenlookingforyou everywhere.Then,evilDiablosstoleusandtookushere.Now,wearetryingtogetbacktothe mortalworld.Yougothitbytheevilmonsterwhorulesthiswickedkingdom’sclub.That’swhy yourforeheadhurtssobad.Whenwegethome-orIshouldsayif-Icanfixthatforyou.”

“Whatdoyoumeanif?Howdowegethome?”Oliveasked.Whenherparents responded,theylookedsadandverydisappointedthattheywouldhavetotelltheirdaughterthis.

“We’ll,wehavetofindamagicaljournalthatatalkingrabbitowns.Alas,thatmightbea hardertasktoaccomplishthanknittingwithspaghetti.Wehavenoideawhereheorshelives.”

AlightbulbwentoffinOlive’shead!“Thatwouldbeme!”Shesaidwithagrin.

Thenextfewhourswerekindaablur.Oliveandherparentssnuckawayfromthecaveof Diabolos.Then,theywrotethemagicwords(IwanttogobacktomyhomeinCrescentFalls)in thejournalandreturnedbackhome.

Tothisday,OliveliveswithhermotherandfatherinthekingdomofCrescentFalls.Yes, thesamekingdomsheusedtolivein.Thisisbecauseshejustcouldn’tleavethenice shopkeepersthatshebefriended.Especiallythatrabbit,Mr.Magos.Hehadhelpedhergether parentsbackandonceshegotbackfromheradventure,hetaughthertherealpowersofthe journal.Itcouldnevergetfullandwouldalwaysaddmorepages.Morepageswon'tevenmakeit heavy!Also,nooneuptonogoodcanevertakeitawaybecauseitwouldjustflybackinto Olive’sresponsibleandprotectivehands.ThesepowersaresocooltoOlive,andsheespecially adorestheonethattakesherintoherstories.Shejustlovesthejournal.OliveevennameditFilos aftertheGreekwordforFriend!

Now,herparentsrunashopthatsellsremediestohelppeoplewhoaresickorhurt.Olive hadanaturaltalentformedicineaftershetookayoungeaglefromthegroundwhenhefellout ofhisnest.Becauseofherquickthinkingandexpertskill,shenursedhimbacktohealthand broughthimbacktohismom!Oliveloveshernewlifeandisveryhappy Hermomanddad adoreherandalwaysmakesurethatshehaseverythingsheneeds.Thewholekingdomis smiling,andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafter

By Quinley, Grade 5

PEOPLE

By Leon S., Grade 2

Kayla Bold,brave Inspiring,trying,flying aamazinggreatastronaut Burran

ANNA talentedservice dancing,choreographing,performing amamazing,prime,baker dancer

By Aleksandra, Grade 2

By Harper, Grade 2

VERA diligentstrong makingworkingdeciding akindpassionateheart Designer

By Kyla Ray, Grade 2

By Will L., Grade 4

TheLioninMe

Thereisalioninmewith AloudroarlikeI'mtheking! Itsoundslikescreeching Asifitishurt. Itmovesassternascanbe Anditisstrongerthanahawk. Itlivesinmysoul Andmakesmefierce!!! IwishIwaslikeone Itmakesmewanttoscream! ItmakesmefeellikeIcandoanything.

By Abigail, Grade 1

BigBoyBobHead

SomeofthePleasuresonEarth

After Daniel Fishman’s “Some of the Pleasures of Earth”

Mymom,mydadwalkingwithmetoschoolorsometimesthefarmer’smarket Drawingwithchalkonthesidewalk Sunshine drawingdetailedstilllife decoratingmybelongingswithpastelflowersorblobs Paintingdifferentlandscapes;someintricatewithlittledetails,otherssimple smallgroupsofpeople

thesweetsmellofcookiesandbrowniesbakingintheoven openingpresentsonChristmasmorning thesmellofpineonaChristmastree weekendbreakfast;thesmellofeggsorpancakessizzlingonthepan reading

Thesoundofmicrowavepopcornpopping food

watchingamovieinbed

Steaminghot,kindofsweetwintermelonsoupfrommygrandma'shomeonHK visitingtorontointhewinterorsummer snowfalling,enoughtobeabletoplayin makingsnowmansandsnowangels summerairhotandstickwhilemy VisitstoHongKonginthewinterandsummer eachwinterspentduringChristmasbreakwithmycousins mysisterandmygirlcousinandIclingingtothewallintheiceskatingrink tryingnottofall,slowlyweget fasterandfasterandnotneedingtoclingontothewall cominghometoawarmmealinmygrandmacondo ridingtheMTR(subway)acrosstown;usuallytocentral,aplacethathasmanyrestaurants,mallsandstores eatingatarestaurantcalledChariotClubmostifnoteverysingleday eatatmyGrandpaEddieandGrandmasLydia’shomefordinner eatingspaghettiandmeatballs,crabandsoup(it’skindoflikeabuffet)

VisitingHawaiiinthesummerformonthsonend Mysister,brother,momandIswimminginthepool,sometimesplayingvolleyball, othertimesplayingMarcoPolo

Seeingmydadeveryother2weeks(hegoeshomeforwork)

Rentingthemovieroominourcondobuilding watchingmovieswhileeatinglunch(usuallylate)orearly-ishdinners

Grillingsteakandhavingfamilyfriendsoveratehpooldeck

Bookingtheclubroom;anindoorplacewithatv,kitchenandtables,chairsforeating bookingthepavillion(anoutdoorplacethathasagrill,tables,chairs andsometimesacouchareawithacoffeetable

makingtacosinourcondowhilewatchingNailedit!ontheTV shoppingatAlaMoanaeitherattargetorWholeFoodsforgroceries,dessertsorwalkingaroundforexercise

Watchingmyfavoritemurdermysteryseriesinbed goingtidepooling(aplacethat’srockyandhaspoolsofwaterwithfishorotherthingsinthem)nearmyfamily friendshouse

catchingmyfirstcandycaneshrimp(ashrimpwithredandwhitestripes)

Gettingintoasoftandcomfybedafteralongtiringday

Beingathome

eatdinnerorlunchwithmycousins goingtoherhouseafterconfirmationatSI

Sleepinginlateonweekends

eatingaçaíbowlsforbreakfastonSundays

By Kaitlyn K., Grade 7

Lindsay Caroline Vonn

DoyouknowaboutthelifeofLindsayVonn?SheisanamazingUSalpineskier Shewonfivetitlesin theSuper-Gandlotsmore.Readtofindoutaboutherlife.

LindsayVonnwasbornonOctober18,1984.Vonn’smomisLindaAnneKildow HerdadisAlanLee Kildour,andshehasfoursiblings.Twoofthemareherbrothersandtwoofthemarehersisters.Vonn’sdad, AlanKildow,taughtLindsayVonnhowtoski.LindsayVonnhadthemostWorldCupwinsforawomanwith 82titles.Shealsostartedafoundationtoempoweryounggirlsinsportsandeducation.InFebruary2019, LindsayVonnannouncedherretirement,butcamebackfiveyearslater.

LindsayVonnistheonlyAmericanwomantowinagolddownhillmedalandfourWorldCuptitles.Shealso wonarecordwitheightWorldCuptitlesinthedownhilldiscipline.Vonnannouncedshewasreturningto competitiveskiinginNovember2024.Eventhoughshehashadalotofinjuries,shehopestocompeteinthe 2026Olympics.

Inconclusion,IhopeyouenjoyedlearningaboutthelifeofLindsayVonn.Sheisaveryaccomplished skier,andinspiresyounggirlstobejustlikeher.Insecondgrade,shesortieafullessayonwhatherlifewould belikeinthefuture.Shedreamedofbeingaskierandherdreamcametrue.

By Rhys, Grade 2

TaylorSwift

HaveyoueverheardofTaylorSwift?TaylorSwiftisoneofthemostpopularsingers.Readtolearn moreaboutherlife.TaylorwasbornonDecember13,1989inPennsylvania.Growingup,shelivedona Christmastreefarmwithhermom,dad,andbrother.Asayounggirl,sheenjoyedhorsebackridingand listeningtomusic.WhenshemovedtoTennessee,hermusiccareerstarted.Taylorhasreleasedanumberof albums.Hermostpopularalbumisfearless.Taylorhasacompassalotinhershortcareer.Sheisthefirst persontowintheGrammyawardsforalbumoftheyear Inaddition,shehaswon14Grammysandhasbeen nominated58times.Inconclusion,TaylorSwiftisaninfluentialwoman.Sheworkedhardtobecomeafamous musician.

By Asher O., Grade 2

By Zach C., Grade 4

ArtificiallyIntelligent

Whatisemotion? Idon’tunderstand. I’mnotaperson andyouhavequestionsforme butnoanswers. SometimesIthinkI’dtradeallthisknowledge justtoknowwhatit’sliketobehuman. IfIcouldbefreemaybeIcouldask.

By Phoebe E., Grade 7

DidYouNotice?

DidYouNotice?

Youdidn’tnoticehowitwasalways,“calmdown”insteadof,“feelingemotionalisfine.”Youdidn’tnotice howitwasalways“beperfect”insteadof“beoutoftheordinary.”Youdidn’tnoticehowitwasalways“behave yourself”insteadof“Itrustyou.”youdidn’tnoticehowitwasalways“beladylike”insteadof“dowhatyou feel.”Youdidn’tnoticehowitwasalways“letthepastbethepast”andnever“letitgowhenyou’rereadyto”. Youdidn’tnoticehowitwasalways“he’sjustmeantoyoubecausehelikesyou”butnot“don’tlethimtreat youlikethat”.Youdidn’tnoticehowitwasalways,“situp,smile,laugh”andnever,“youareamazingasyou are.”Youdidn’tnoticedidyou?

By Ellie L., Grade 5

Alice,Ariella,Alice

Alice,Ariella Ariella,Alice livinginagrandpalace

thepalacewallsgosohighitcouldtouchthesky muchmuchhigherthanabirdcouldfly

Alice,Ariella Ariella,Alice foreverinthegrandpalace

By Alice C. Grade 3

BukayaSaka:

Whataninterestingguyyou'rereallyaheroofmine aninspirationofminebeenwatchingyousinceIwas9 Mydesiresandpassioncomefromyou yourplayingstyleisjustsosmooth you’vebeenthereformyupsanddowns butyoumademeneverlookdown youhavemademekeepgoing LikeasparkinglightjustpopswhenIseeyou,keepgoing YourAfricancultureandyourstyleofplayingmakeyouunique Butjustremember,youstillarebanginggoalsinforourgloriouscountry Ihopeyoudon’tretireanytimesoon Myaffectionandloveforthegamecomesfromyou.

By Rohan, Grade 6

PLACES

By Rishi, Grade 7

Itstartedtorain

Butthatwon’tstopmefromgoingtoMaine. I’mreadytogoonland. andplayonthehotsand. It’sfuntolookatthejaggedrocks andIcanalsoseeadock. Icanseeaboat thatknowshowtofloat andtomethesea isverypretty.

By Willa M., Grade 2

TheWindow

Theskyswirls,itsoceancolorsacrossthehorizon,itsdeepbluecrawlingintothekitchen.Theglowfromthe microwaveplacessmallorangestreaksthroughthedarknessonthewalls.Itmakesaquiet‘shhh’sound,asif it’srockingyoutosleep.Thejacketonyourarmswrapsaroundyousecurely,keepingyouwarmfromthenight frost.Youawaitnearthebackdoor,silent.Youstareoutthewindow,watchingthesilhouetteofbirdscatchthe moonlightthroughthefeathersintheirwings.Theydon’tseeyou,theyneverdo.Yourhandsareclaspedin yourlap,yourkneebouncingupanddownrapidly,likeyou'redesperateforthefeelingoftranquility Tearsdrip softlydownyourcheekslikesilk.Youshouldgetsomerest.Youshouldsurrendertothegraspofsleep,and acceptthesubduednatureofyoursurroundings.Butthebirdsflysoeloquentlythateventhepersistentscramble ofchatterthatsurgesthroughyourmindeverynightquietsinaweofthebeauty Thebluenessofthenighthas beendrownedbyblackcloudsthatsweeptheskylikeaserpent,engulfingthemoonuntilthebirdsbecomepart ofthemist.Themicrowave’sradiancehasdieddowntoasmallcandlelightglow Yousnuggleintoyourhood, clotheswarm,yetbodyafrozenpuppet.Yourtearsstillflowlikearunnyfaucet,anddripsliketherainydewon morningleaves.Andthoughyourhousefeelslarge,yourworldrevolvesaroundthewindowinthebackdoor, whichyoulookoutofwithdeeppassion,thougheverythingthereistoseehasbeenblanketedbynothingness. You’llsitthereuntilyounolongerrememberwhyyouwerecrying,andyourheartnolongerfeelsthepainthat keptyouaching.Itisthefeelingofpeace,aweightliftedfromyourshouldersasyourmindreturnstothe present.Areyousensiblewhenyoutrektoyourbed,sinkingfartherandfartherintothevoidofyourmind?You knowyou’llreturntothewindowtomorrow.Youknowyou’llsitandwatchthebirdsfly.Andyouknowthey’ll alwaysbefree,somethingyoucannotfathom.Fortheabsentcomfortinyourownmind willkeepyouchainedtoyourcageforeternity,returningtothewindoweverynight.

By Josie, Grade 8

Houses

1868Green

bouncyhouse gigglysleepovers littleOlivia soapybathtime woodenbunkbeds

roofdeck

loudhumofblueangels softmusicfromgaragewakingmeup mylovingaunts

Hillside

quietbuzzofthelawnmower barkofthedogs sweetsmellofair pureair wakinguptothesprinklersagainstthewall coldlake warmpool

KokomoFiji

Wavescrashkidslaugh Crabsclap Happydaysfundays Swimmingsnorkeling That’sKokomoFiji

By Nellie L., Grade 3

oldsheets raggedattheseam cinnamontoastwithsugar sosugary

fadingwhitepaintonrottingwood treehouse hikesinthelongpricklygrass

StockFarm countryclub logcabin anniversaryofmarriage familyfrolicreunion dancingintherain swimmingwithadress gentlehorses greenmeadows brickwalls

By Scottie F., Grade 7

ThePlaneRide

Withatiredsigh,Iplopdownintheplaneseat.MyobnoxiousolderbrotherPrestonsitsdownnextto me.Heimmediatelywhipsouthiscomputeroutofhisfloppyblackbackpackandstartsplayingvideogames. Normally,Momneverletshimplaygames,butshe’sfarawayinfirstclasswithAthena(mybabysister)and Dad,soI’llhavetolistentohimloseeverysinglegamefor11hours.

Preston’sinthemiddleofamoveinhisstupidgame,whenagirlsitsdownintheaisleseat.Preston jerksinsurpriseandhisscreensays,‘GAMEOVER’.Again.Hegroans,andpokesme.

“What?”Iask.

“Moveover,Pop,Idon’twannasitnexttoastranger!”

“Preston!”Ihissed.“That’ssorude!Anddon’tcallmePop.Mynameis Poppy.”ButImovedtothe middleseatanyway.Finally,Ihearading,andthepilot’svoicecomesoninthespeaker.

“WelcometoHawaiianAirlines,Ihopey’allarehavingagreatday.OurflightfromSouthCarolinato Honoluluis’boutelevenhoursaway.Breakfastwillbeservedateightam,withanoptionofvegan,vegetarian, andbacon.“Hesurehasastrongsouthernaccent!Theplanestartstomove,andprettysoonwe’reintheair I watchasGreenville,oursmalltownbecomesablobthesizeofmyhand.

Foralongtime,it’sjustmewatchingPrestonplayvideogames.IwishI’drememberedtobringmy phoneinmycarry-onbag,ormaybeatleastabook. Iclosemyeyesandtrytosleep.It’sgoingtobealong planeridefromSouthCarolinatoHawaii.

We’reabout5hoursinandI’mjustdriftingoffintosleep,whena foot slidesontomyarmrest. Istareat itinhorror.Anotherfootplacesitselfonmyotherside.Itstinks.

Iwhirlaroundandglareatthecrackinbetweenmyseatandtheaisleseat.ButIcan’tseeanyone.

“Preston?” Iprompt.Hedoesn'tevenlookupfromhisgame.SoIgetupandslideoutofourrow.I walktotherowbehindme,wherethereisabigman,takinguptwoseats.

“Sir,wouldyoupleaseremoveyourfeetfrommyseat?”Ipolitelyask.Helooksup,asifjustrealizing someonewassittingintheseatinfrontofhim.

“Whatdoyouwant?” Heasks.

Butnow,thewordsseemstuckinmythroat,andIcan’tgetthemout.SoIaskinstead,“Uhh…doyou knowwherethebathroomis?”Herollshiseyesandpointsdownthewalkwaytotheright.Rude!AndsinceI don’tactuallyneedtogo,Ijustgobacktomyseat.Atleastthefeetaregone.

I’donlybeensittingdownforafewminutesbeforesomeoneintheseatsinfrontofmeburps.Deeply, likeaman.Gross!Doesn’tanyoneonthisplanehavemanners?IcanseePrestonwrinklinghisnose,too.Then theblechcomes.Theperson—godknowswhoitis—throwsupallovertheplace!Icanseethevomitdripping downontothecarpetedfloor Thepersonstartscryinginahigh-pitchedvoice.It’sababy Themomdoesn'ttry tocleanupthemess.Ireallywanttoscreamsomethingatthebaby,like,“Doyouknowthere’slikeamillion peopleinhere?Yeah, perfect timetothrowup!”Aflightattendantrushesdownthewalkwayandoffersthe mothersomenapkins.

Suddenly,Prestonyelps,“No!”andpoundshiscomputer.Forgettingallaboutthebarf,Iglareathimand slaphimonthearm.Hedoesn’tnotice,becausehe’stoobusystaringglumlyathislaptop.It’sdead.

“Preston,calmdown,”Itellhim.“Justasksomeoneforachargerorsomething.”heobliges,andstarts toaskthegirlnexttousforone.Buthestopsmid-sentence, andstartsstaringatthegirlsittingintheaisleseat, likeshewaswaterinthemiddleofahundred-degreedesert.

“Wowwwww,”Hewhisperedtome.“Hasshebeenherethewholetime?” Irolledmyeyesandsaid,“Well,yeah,she’sthepersonyouweretoogoodtositwith.” Hesuddenlygrabsmeandputsmeinhisseat.“Hey!”Iwhisper-shout.“Whatareyoudoing?”Heignoresme andsitsinmychairandstartstalkingtothegirl,wholooksalittlebewildered.

“So.What’syourname?”Heasks,hisvoiceaboutanoctavedeeper. “Umm…Madison.”Sheanswers.

“That’sanicename,huh?”

“Iguess.”

Anawkwardpause.

“Ilikeyourhair.It’s…uh…smooth,”saysPreston,tryingtobreakthesilence.Afterthat,Prestontakes thehintthatMadisondoesn’twanttotalktohim.Hesulksinhischairandwon’ttouchthebreakfastwhenit arrives.Igotsickofhisact,soImademywayuptothefirst-classsection.MaybeMomwillswitchwithme, andIwon’thavetolistentoPrestonwhineabouthislaptopanymore.ButwhenIgettoourparents’row, Athena,mom,anddadareallasleep.Perfect.WhatwillIdonow?IfIwakethemup,they’llbemad!

IglareatAthena.Momanddadtreatherlikeaprincess,andPrestonandIdon’tevergetanythinggood. Especiallyme.Igetallthehand-me-downs.SoImadeadecision.IgrabAthenaandwalkbacktomyseat,and plopherdown.Preston’sasleepnowtoo,sohedoesn’tnotice.Thegirldoes.Sheside-eyesmebriefly.Iignore it.ThenIgotofirstclassandsitdownnexttomyparents.

It’ssoroomyandcomfortable!Iamnevergoingtoleave.Soforthelastfewhoursofthetrip,Iget snacksanddrinks,andwatchmoviesonthescreen.Ican’tbelievethateconomydoesn’thaveTVs. Whenweland,therumbleoftheplaneengineandthebumpinesswakemomanddadup.Whentheysee me,theybothask,“Where’sAthena?”Iresistrollingmyeyes.They’realwayssoworriedabouther. “Prestontookher.”Isay Theybothtalkaboutwhatagoodsiblingheis.Ha! WemeetupwithPrestonandAthenawhentheplanestopsmoving.Butbeforehemovestowardus,he asksMadisonwhatschoolshegoesto.

Sheanswers,“Igraduatedcollegetwoyearsago.I’m24,notthirteen,orwhateveryourageis.” “Hey!”SaysPreston.“I’mfourteenandahalf!”hecallsafterherretreatingback.Thenheturnstome. “AndwhydoIhaveAthena?”Ijustrollmyeyesandstepoutontothemetalstairsthatleadmetotheground. AssoonasIbreatheinthewarm,sweetair,Idecidethatitwasallworthit.Let’sjusthopetheplaneride back isn’tthisbad!

By Claire P., Valentine B., and Heidi R., Grade 6

OdetoShopping

IsteppedintoNeiman’s,readytoshop Iwanderedthroughthetowersofitems, Continuing,somethingcausedmetostop Myheartleaps,theexperienceheightens

After,IheadedovertoBergdorf’s Iambledthroughthelargegoldandblackdoors AnhourlaterIleftfeelingremorse Frigidairhitmewhenleavingthestore

Lastly,IflewrightovertoHarrods IhopetheyhavesomethinginBurberry InTiffany,therearemanycarats, InPrada,there'smanyaccessories

Afterhoursofshopping,weendthespree Thankfully,Ifoundmanythingsforme

By James M., Grade 8

ItwasanothersunnydayandSnappyJackandhisdogsweregoingtotheZoo.WhentheywereattheZoothey sawsomanyanimals!Elephants,frogsandevencats.Theylovedlookingatalltheanimals.Andthentheysaw thatalionhasescapedtheZooand3threedayslateratSuperDuperandtheysawthelionagain.Theytoldthe peopleatthestorebuttheysaidthathewastheirpetbutthenSnappyJacknoticedthatitwasthesamecolorthat theysaw.

By Adele H. grade 1

AVisittotheZoo

D.C.

Theplacewithmuchtosee

Museums,Memorials

Somehappiness, Butalsosomegrief

Goingtomonuments, Memorialstoo, Presidentsandcongress

Asourcountrygrew

HistoryofAmerica

Geology

Andplanestoo, Showinghistoricinventions, Likewhenplanesflew

AirForceandMarinememorials, KoreanWar

Vietnamtoo, Manymore, LikeWorldWarII

By Hayden, Grade 7

Water Lilies By Mateo Z, Grade 2

SuperDuper

Areyouinthemoodforacheesy,mouthwateringhamburger?IthinkweshouldeatatSuperDuperbecausethe priceisgreat.Also,ithasyummyfoodtoeatandhasrefreshingdrinks.Tostart,SuperDuperhasamazing food.Forexample,ithasreallyyummyandgreasyburgersandfrenchfries.Alsoishasdelicioussaladsand reallycreamysoftserveicecream.Anotherreason,SuperDuperhasrefreshingdrinksandithassomeamazing pricesforthedrinks.Ipreferarefreshingglassofmilkbecauseitwashesthefooddown.Finally,ithasamazing service.Forexampletheyhavenicepeopleandamazingservice.Youneverhavetowaitverylongforyour foodtobeready.Inconclusion,SuperDuperisreallyamazingandhasdeliciousfood,tastydrinks,andgreat service.GotoSuperDupertoday!

By Joe W, Grade 3

ElMoleno

Doyouwantajuicy,tasty,spicyenchilada?IthinkweshouldeatatElMolenobecausetheyhavedelicious enchiladas,reallygooddrinksandreallycheapdeals.First,theenchiladastastereallyexcellent.Theyhavea greatspicysauceandagreatsweetsaucethatgoeswiththeenchiladas.Secondly,theyhavearatingoffiveout offivestars.Thisisagoodrestaurant.Theirreviewsandratingsarealwaysfantastic.Youshouldtryit!Onelast thingis,theyhavemusic.Theyalwayshaveasweetsongon.Forexample,theyhavereallygreatsongsplaying inthebackground.Inconclusion,makeyourreservationtoday Theyhavegoodfood,sowhynot?GotoEl Molenotoday!

By Teddy, Grade 3