Exploding Writers

YEA!

W R I T E RS ’ EXC H ANG E P R ES E N TS

THE

EXPLODING WRITERS

WHEE!

Copyright © 2015 The Writers’ Exchange This book is a collection of the kids’ favourite writing and art that they created in the Writers’ Room during the fall of 2015.

The Writers’ Exchange gets inner-city kids excited about reading and writing through mentoring and creative writing projects like this chapbook. All Writers’ Exchange programs are free for the children and families we serve, so we could not exist without the support of amazing donors, including Marily Mearns, the Waterbury Foundation, Megan Abbott, Bernard MacLeod, Linda Louis, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, telus Vancouver Community Board, the McKesson Foundation, Nancy and Ted Maitland, the Greyross Foundation held at the Vancouver Foundation, the City of Vancouver, Dun and Bradstreet Cloud Innovation Center, the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada and the students at Dr. Charles Best Secondary School, and the Edith Lando Charitable Foundation. Thank you.

881 East Hastings Vancouver, bc v6a 1r8 vancouverwe.com Design and layout by Setareh Ashrafologhalai, setarehashraf.com

The Writers’ Room after-school program runs in partnership with Queen Alexandra family School and the Vancouver School Board’s Van Tech Community School Team.

Editorial support from Aaron These kind organizations generously support the Writers’ Room after-school program:

Printing for this chapbook was generously donated by Hemlock.

Writers’ Exchange

TA B L E O F CONTENTS

Exploding Truth 5 How to Get a Leaf, by Xisiwe 5 Pumpkin Delivery, by Ryan 5 My Leaves, by Coleen 6 Leaves Are Different Colours, by Noel 6 Fall Turns Leaves Colours, by Semira

Exploding Battles 7 Hilda the Witch vs. Santa Claus,

by Max B. 8 The Adventures of Cupcake Man and Lollipop Boy, by Gabby 8 Super Squash, by Joey 9 Blood Leaves! Ice Leaves!, by Corbin 9 The Boy in the Tree, by Patrick 9 Captain Pumpkin, by Jachin 10 Superman Pumpkin, by Braiden 10 Super Pumpkin, by Coebe 10 Super Men Pumpkin, by George

Exploding Emotions 11 Eleazar’s Book, by Eleazar 11 Love Letter to Sushi, by Judy 12 Love Letter to Pizza, by Robert 12 Love Letter to Cupcake, by Clara 13 Love Letter to Pizza, by Justice 13 An Excerpt from “Two Boys, Two Girls and an Assumption,” by Coral

Spooky Stories 16 Camping in the Woods . . ., by Sabrina 16 Axe, by Jaykwon 17 Pikachu Stew with Bug Balls, by Antoni 17 Zombie Pumpkin, by Keira

Exploding Characters 18 A Chicken Named Jim, by Victor 18 Zombie Bat, by Max P. 18 Super Pumpkin Cupcake, by Chloe 19 Pusheen, by Ella 19 A Bat Named Dead, by Charlie 19 The Very Boring Leaf, by Danielle 19 The Very Fun Leaf, by Jenessa 20 Foxy the Bat, by Lawrence

20 Sparkle the Bat, by Fiona 20 Violet the Bat, by Makus 20 My Bat Likes . . ., by Danica 21 Unilla, by , by Daniella 21 Airplane Bat, by Elijah 21 John Cena the Bat, by Linden 21 Pooooooo the Bat, by Aydin 22 Captain Underpants Super Pumpkin,

by Tyler 22 Girls, by Lily 23 Little Eraser and Tallie the Pencil, by Cathy 24 Pumpking and Scare-Crows, by Cole 25 Angela and Angel, by Karyl 26 Super Nirbhay, by Nirbhay 26 Sam, by Ari 27 Ghost Girl, by Tatiana

Exploding Comics 28 I’m Bored, by Andrew 30 The Cat Who Wanted to Carve a Pumpkin,

by Farhin 31 Today’s New Food Movie, by Nicholas 32 The Life of Food, by Kharizma 34 In Wonderland, by Isabella 35 Cupcakes and Lemonade, by Celest 36 The Greatest Sandwich of All Time,

by Zainab

EXPLODING TRUTH

How to Get a Leaf

By Xisiwe, age 7 A leaf was falling down. I was on a bench and I jumped up to get a leaf.

I put staircases next to a tree so I could get a leaf. I put a trampoline beside a tree and I jumped to catch a leaf.

Pumpkin Delivery

By Ryan, age 9 My pumpkin started off on a farm in Langley. It got grown on the week of July 31, 2015. A farmer named Joe grew it. It got delivered to someone named Haley later that year. Now you gave it to us here at Writers’ Room at Queen Alexandra. Now we are getting the pumpkins soon after we write a story about pumpkins. I’m writing the story now about this.

My Leaves

By Coleen, age 8 I like my red leaf. This is my big brown leaf. This is my yellow leaf.

This is my black leaf.

5

Leaves Are Different Colours

By Noel, age 7 Leaves are different colours. This leaf is orange. This leaf is grey and white. This leaf is purple.

Fall Turns Leaves Colours

By Semira, age 6 Fall makes leaves turn yellow. Fall makes leaves turn peach and orange and black. Leaves turn red and orange. Leaves turn brown like poo!Â

6 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

EXPLODING B AT T L E S

Hilda the Witch vs. Santa Claus

By Max B., age 11 There was this one time when I followed a magical black cat down a dark, scary alley and it led me to . . . a witch’s hut that belonged to the most evil witch, named . . . Hilda. Hilda liked to make spells that gave her superpowers such as being invisible, having laser eyes and most importantly. . . flying on her magical broom. Not many people know about Hilda, which makes it easier for her to do mischief. One of the most evil things Hilda has done was when she poisoned Santa Claus because she hates Santa because he is too nice. And I’m going to tell you how she did it. She left her witch’s hut and flew on her magical broom to the North Pole. When she got there, she made herself invisible to get around Santa’s factory unnoticed. When she got to Santa’s house, she put poison in Santa’s hot chocolate and waited until he drank it. When he drank it, he got poisoned but unfortunately for Hilda, paramedics were in the area. They quickly saved Santa, and Hilda went back to her hut to make more plans to destroy Santa. That is all I know about Hilda, but if you want to find out more, follow a magical black cat down a dark, scary alley.

7

The Adventures of Cupcake Man and Lollipop Boy

By Gabby, age 9 Once there was a cupcake named Cupcake Man. His superpower was frosting blast and he had a super sidekick named Lollipop Boy. His superpower was teleportation. The two sweets were the number 1 heroes of the year.

One day, Cupcake Man was called to a duel in the stadium.

Cupcake Man jumped on Lollipop Boy and they teleported to the stadium. They were fighting the catfish.

“We can’t fight one catfish—we’re only two!”

“Well, too bad,” said the catfish, so they fought and fought.

Lollipop Boy used his teleportation power and Cupcake Man used his frosting power, and Lollipop Boy and Cupcake Man won! So the two sweets teleported home and they were supposed to have fish for dinner.

“Really?” said Lollipop Boy. The catfish were cats in fish costumes, so the sweets had nothing for dinner.

Super Squash

By Joey, age 8 Super Squash is watching scary movies and all of a sudden the bad guy steps out of the tv and into his living room . . . It is Bucket Head!

Super Squash stops Bucket Head by pulling him back into the tv.

Super Squash saves the day again. No one can defeat him.

8 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Blood Leaves! ce Leaves!

By Corbin, age 7 There was an army that made a portal. A crazy leaf came and it stopped the bullet. And there was a fun battle.

The End. But it’s not actually the end.

It’s the fun.

The Boy in the Tree

By Patrick, age 7 There was a boy that was in a tree and an apple fell on his head.

Leaves fell on the grass and it made a humongous giant, and then the boy kicked his face and he was gone. Not the boy, the giant was gone.

The boy thought, “Hmmm,” and then a giant lizard bit him! He ran away. The lizard ran away too.

Captain Pumpkin

By Jachin, age 8 Captain Pumpkin has been locked in a dungeon of a creepy old witch’s house. Captain Pumpkin runs so fast that he breaks the door open and gets the witch and puts her in a pot on the stove. The pot is as hot as the sky. The witch melts! The bunnies are in space. The bunnies return to Earth to eat the witch with Captain Pumpkin.

Exploding Battles 9

Superman Pumpkin

By Braiden, age 7 super pumpkin name: Superman superpower: ice Superman wears a super suit.

Superman’s mission is to fight the bad guys and ice the bad guys.

Super Pumpkin

By Coebe, age 8 super pumpkin name: Super Pumpkin superpower: candy disguise: rainbow enemy: Healthy Man Super Pumpkin’s mission is to destroy Health Man and do nothing.

Super Men Pumpkin

By George, age 8 super pumpkin name: Super Men Pumpkin superpowers: eye is red and super punch disguise: cape to fly enemy: Joker Joker is bad. He is going to Joker’s home. He is going to explode.

10 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

EXPLODING EMOTIONS

Eleazar’s Book

By Eleazar, age 7 All the leaves fell down from the tree. The tree broke. No, no. boom!

Love Letter to Sushi

By Judy, age 11 Sushi, I love you.

Surrounded by crunchy seaweed, The soft, smooth fish in my mouth, You taste like the ocean.

With flimsy sticks, I dip you in the sauce, Flavourful and salty, With the sour rice.

Sushi, you are the best thing ever.

11

Love Letter to Pizza

By Robert, age 11 Pizza, I love you.

You look like a circle and a square.

You taste like pasta.

You smell like heaven.

I always gobble you down.

I sometimes like to eat pineapple pizza.

Pizza, I love you.

You remind me of my friends Sam, Tortoise, Cib the Duck, Aviator and Salex.

I will never leave you behind.

Love Letter to Cupcake

By Clara, age 9 Dear Cupcake, I love you.

You look like icing.

You taste like sweetness.

You smell like strawberries.

I always taste the cake.

I sometimes put my nose in it.

I never throw you away in the garbage.

I love you.

You remind me of cake.

I won’t crush you.

12 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Love Letter to Pizza

By Justice, age 8 Dear Pizza, I love you.

You look like triangles, sliced into eight pieces.

You taste like popcorn.

You smell like roses.

I always want to eat you all up.

I sometimes save you for lunch or dinner.

I will never throw you away.

Pizza, I love you.

You remind me of when I was a baby.

I will never, ever give you away.

An Excerpt from “Two Boys, Two Girls and an Assumption”

By Coral, age 12 “Hey, Bryson,” Candy greeted him by bouncing up beside him and giving him a bear hug.

“Hi, Candy. How’s it going?” Bryson asked.

“Good,” Candy answered.

“The smells from the chemistry lab really stink, eh?” Bryson said, trying to make conversation.

Candy didn’t answer, just stared at the floor.

“Hello, Earth to Candy. Can you hear me?” Bryson asked, playfully punching her in the shoulder.

Exploding Emotions 13

“Oh, sorry, Bryson. Just daydreaming.”

“What were you daydreaming about in there?” Bryson asked, knocking her head lightly with his fist.

“Err, nothing special,” Candy said, making no eye contact.

“C’mon, you can tell your old buddy Bryson. You can trust me.”

“Fine,” Candy said, “but you have to promise not to tell anyone, not even Felix.” “ok, I promise,” Bryson said seriously, but secretly crossing his fingers behind his back. Sorry, Candy, but I might need to tell someone if it’s really serious, thought Bryson.

Candy took a deep breath. “ok, fine. I was daydreaming about my future with Finn. We are pretty close and he’s been wanting to tell me something lately, so yeah, now you know. Happy?” Candy said, looking up, embarrassed.

“Oh I am so happy for you guys,” Bryson said, making a cheesy smile. He got up and walked into the hallway, making sure he was alone. He started to bang his head against the wall. I am so stupid, thought Bryson. I should have asked Candy to be my girlfriend before.

Now Finn’s going to ask her and then they will be together and— “Hey, Bryson, lad, what’s up? You ok?” That was Finns voice, the last voice he wanted to hear.

“Oh, um, hi, Finn. Yeah everything’s fine.” Bryson tried to walk away but Finn sidestepped him. How nice, thought Bryson.

“No, everything is not ok. I heard you mumbling to yourself.

Something is clearly wrong, Bryson, and you need to tell me!” Finn blocked him from leaving.

“Fine,” Bryson muttered, “but not here.” The two old friends walked down the hallway and into the supply closet, closing the door behind them.

“So?” Finn asked, sitting down on an upside down bucket. “Spill the beans.”

14 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

So Bryson jumped into the story, starting from when Candy said hi to him by the chemistry lab. “And that’s why I was banging my head against the wall, because I was going to ask her the same question,” Bryson finished halfheartedly.

“Um . . . Bryson?”

“Yes, Finn?”

“I was never going to ask Candy to be my girlfriend. I was going to ask Margo. Candy got it all wrong,” Finn said.

“Really?” Bryson said, trying to act all cool about it, but now his heart was racing. Cryson (Bryson and Candy) still had a chance. He couldn’t wait to tell Candy the good news.

“Not good news for Candy,” Finn mused, as if he were reading his mind.

Rats, darn it, so close but yet so far. He forgot that Candy might still like Finn. Of course he could go straight up to her and break the news to her that way, but no, she would be heartbroken. Hmm . . . He had to make up a plan, and he knew exactly what to do.

To be continued . . .

Exploding Emotions 15

SPOOKY STORIES

Camping in the Woods . . .

By Sabrina, age 11 One day while camping in the woods . . . I felt really scared. Then I heard a sound and I screamed. And also I was lost. Later, it turned dark. I was just walking along the path. Then I saw a bat. I screamed and started running and yelling, “help!” So I kept running until I saw someone, and that person was a boy that I didn’t know, but I introduced myself and he introduced himself and his name is Nick.

He was just walking to his cabin so I followed him. But . . . we got lost and had no food or water. So we just kept walking. Then we found berries. But then I said, “I don’t think you should eat that.” But he still ate it and nothing happened, so I ate one and nothing happened to me too. So we just lived in the wild until we found our cabins.

Axe

By Jaykwon, age 10 The axe hunts with wolves.

16

Pikachu Stew with Bug Balls Written and illustrated by Antoni, age 7 Teachers say, “Yummy.” Then after they eat, they say, “Something is crunchy but I like it. It might be chicken.”

Zombie Pumpkin

By Keira, age 8 super pumpkin name: Zombie superpowers: melts rocks and even people Zombie Pumpkin wears a cape.

Zombie Pumpkin’s enemy is Cat. Zombie Pumpkin’s mission is to save the pumpkins all around the world.

Spooky Stories 17

EXPLODING C H ARAC T E RS

A Chicken Named Jim

By Victor, age 11 There once was a chicken named Jim. He lost a bit of his limbs.

He waddled around to peck the ground and everyone had a swim.

Zombie Bat

By Max P., age 7 Zombie bat grew up in a garbage can. He eats garbage. He thinks that garbage is the best thing in the world.

Super Pumpkin Cupcake

By Chloe, age 8 Hello, everyone, my name is Cupcake. Today I’m telling my life. ok, hi, delicious cupcakes. So let’s begin. So let’s start with my sisters. ok, my older sister’s name is Cherry. She is so nice. ok, my baby sister’s name is Coco, my mom’s name is Tina, my dad’s name is James and my dog’s name is Belle. ok, bye for now. See you soon.

Bye, delicious cupcakes, bye.

18

Pusheen

By Ella, age 9 My name is Pusheen. My favorite food is candy. I sleep for 23-anda-half hours per day. My best friend is Cupcake. One of my favorite activities is going on the internet. I like smiles. I also like sunshine.

I do not have proper grammar.

A Bat Named Dead

By Charlie, age 7 My name is Dead. I like to sleep on Charlie’s tongue. I live in Charlie’s nose.

The Very Boring Leaf

By Danielle, age 8 Once upon a time, there was a really boring leaf. no one could stand him. Then he got hit by a tutu. Now he will be forever boring.

The Very Fun Leaf

By Jenessa, age 8 This leaf was so fun. But no one thought he was. He looked like he was fun. But then . . . someone thought he was fun, Katy Caty’s sister twin. Katy is not fun too.

Exploding Characters 19

Foxy the Bat

By Lawrence, age 7 Foxy likes to eat fruit. He is a fruit bat. He likes to fly with his friends.

He sleeps all day and hunts all night.

Sparkle the Bat

By Fiona, age 7 My bat’s name is Sparkle. My bat likes to listen to birds humming.

The bat’s dad died. Somebody was fighting with him. He has four cousins. My bat plays tag with his cousins. My bat is the slowest at flying and loses at tag.

Violet the Bat

By Markus, age 7 My bat’s name is Violet. Violet likes to sleep in dark caves upside down. Violet eats food that people waste. She likes to fly.

My Bat Likes . . .

By Danica, age 8 My bat’s name is Charlie. My bat flies. My bat likes to play with Fluffy. My bat likes to sleep and he likes batcorn. My bat also likes hanging upside down on the monkey bars.

20 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Unilla

By Daniella, age 8 Do you wonder why my name is Unilla? Well I will tell you the story.

My mom met a unicorn before I was born. The unicorn was named Pricilla. So Unilla! That’s my name story!

Airplane Bat

By Elijah, age 7 My name is Airplane Bat. I like to sleep at home. I live in a house with my family: brother, Mummy and Papa.

John Cena the Bat

By Linden, age 8 My name is John Cena. I like to sleep in a wwe arena. I live in a wwe arena.

Pooooooo the Bat

By Aydin, age 7 My name is Pooooooo. I like to sleep on Joe. I like guano. I died and went to heaven.

Exploding Characters 21

Captain Underpants Super Pumpkin

By Tyler, age 6 super pumpkin name: Captain Underpants special power: Super strength disguise: a tutu enemy: Captain Underwear Monster mission: Rescue Tyler from his class when he’s bored.

I’m at home when all the lights go out and suddenly I hear someone cackling . . . but nothing scares me because I am brave.

Girls

By Lily, age 9

22 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Little Eraser and Tallie the Pencil

By Cathy, age 9 name: Little Eraser special power: erase people so they never existed he lives: on Eraser Island (in the school) his personality: neutral (unless hit) enemies: pencils His real name is Tom. name: Tallie the Pencil special power: draws anything and it turns real/alive he lives: in Pencil-vania his personality: neutral (unless hit) enemies: erasers The lead is the leg! (He balances like a top!)

Exploding Characters 23

Pumpking and Scare-Crows

By Cole, age 12 name: Pumpking (Pumpkin King) special power: regrowth he lives: in nightmares his personality: mean, unfunny enemy: Santa Claus He only comes out at Halloween. name: Scare-Crows special power: none they live: on farms, villages and in nightmares They are minions of the pumpkin king

24 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Angela and Angel

By Karyl, age 10 name: Angela special power: telekinesis, keys holder, power taking she lives: on Earth her personality: friendly and Javv-ish enemy: Eylon She can transform with her twin, Angel. name: Angel special powers: telekinesis, mind controller she lives: on Earth her personality: friendly and girly enemy: Eylon She can transform with her twin, Angela.

Exploding Characters 25

Super Nirbhay

By Nirbhay, age 8 name: Super Nirbhay special powers: running fast—exploring the universe, really fast, super strong he lives: somewhere that nobody knows his personality: nice enemy: Super Nirbhay He has the power of the universe. name: Super Nirbhay special powers: running fast—exploring the universe, really fast, super strong he lives: somewhere that nobody knows his personality: angry enemy: Super Nirbhay He has the power of the universe.

Sam

By Ari, age 11 name: Sam special power: eating endless amounts of pie he lives: in Greece his personality: Being fat No enemies!

26 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Ghost Girl

By Tatiana, age 9

Exploding Characters 27

EXPLODING COMICS

28

Exploding Comics 29

The Cat Who Wanted to Carve a Pumpkin

By Farhin, age 10

30 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Today’s New Food Movie

By Nicholas, age 9

Exploding Comics 31

The Life of Food

By Kharizma, age 10

32 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Exploding Comics 33

n Wonderland

By Isabella, age 10

34 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Cupcakes and Lemonade

By Celest, age 9

Aww.

Do you want a cupcake?

I am happy.

Thank you.

Happy!

You are so cute, I want to die.

Yay!

Lemonade stand.

The End!

Exploding Comics 35

The Greatest Sandwich of All Time

By Zainab, age 11

36 TH E EXPLO D I N G W R ITE R S

Thanks to the 44 fantastic volunteer mentors who helped with the fall 2015 Writers’ Room program: Aleksandra, Amandine, Andrew, Asya, Britany, Candace, Carissa, Chantal, Chelsey, Chris, Christina, Christine, Diana, Emi, Farrah, Grace, Hiller, Jacqueline, Jaspar, Joe, Julia N., Julia S., Kathleen, Kirsten, Lauryn, Linda, Melissa, Mikayla, Millan, Mireille, Olivia, Robin, Sam, Sarah C., Sarah F., Sarah M., Sean, Serah, Sheilagh, Susan, Ted, Tori, Veronica C. and Veronica H. And thanks to long-time volunteer Morgan for the pumpkins that inspired so many of the pieces in this book.