Inspirational Heroes in our World

irational p s In

oes r e h in our wor ld Written and Illustrated

by Division 7 at Strathcona Elementary

Heroes_cover PRESS.indd 2-3

2014-04-07 11:31 PM

Copyright © 2014 The Writers’ Exchange

T his book was created by Division 7, Ms. Chudnovsky’s grade 4/5 class, at Strathcona Elementary in the winter of 2014.

The Writers’ Exchange makes literacy exciting and accessible for inner-city kids through free 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 generous donors, including Megan Abbott, Marily Mearns, the Vancouver Foundation, Nancy and Ted Maitland, Bernard MacLeod, TELUS, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, the Central City Foundation, Lindsay Mearns, Claudia Casper and James Griffin, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and the Hamber Foundation.

Thank you. And thank you to the amazing volunteer mentors who work with the kids in all Writers’ Exchange programs so that each child can succeed to the best of his or her ability.

Writers’ Exchange 881 East Hastings Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8 To read more great student writing, visit vancouverWE.com.

Writers’ Exchange mentors:

Amanda G., Ginny, Grady, Jennifer, Laura, Tera

editorial support:

Clementine, Mira

Design and layout:

Mauve Pagé, pageanddesign.com

project of

tha n k you !

The Writers’ Exchange is a project of Tides Canada Initiatives Society.

Printing for this chapbook was generously donated

by Hemlock.

Writers’ Exchange in-school projects are made possible by the Vancouver Foundation and Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.

Heroes_cover PRESS.indd 4-5

2014-04-07 11:32 PM

w o p ! a k I

N T R O D U CT I O N

This book is about Division 7 kids’ heroes and it was made with the Writers’ Exchange people. We have interviewed our heroes and got answers. You can read about them in this book!

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 1

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

T

A B LE O F CO N T E N T S Donna, by Aaliyah Mrs. Chudnovsky, by Purity Edison, by Richard My sister, by Annie Ms. Jorgensen, by Jamie Ms. Quan, by Max My mom, by Kai Kathy Walker, by Claire Ms. Anema, by Julianna Ms. Karen, by Bryce My mom, by Jason Donna, by Iziah Adrianna, by John My mom, by Edison Ms. Jorgensen, by Candyce Mr. Brown, by Dean My dad, by Robert Ms. Leung, by Min Young Grandma, by Kitty Kathy Walker, by Desiree Ron, by Michael My Mom, by Kaiya

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 2

3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 26 27

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

D

ONNA

By Aaliyah

My hero is Donna because she is generous. Donna chose her job because she likes to provide cultural enrichment through drumming and powwow dancing to help kids learn about culture and history. Donna’s favourite pet is her dog, Pepper, because Pepper is cute and obedient. Donna has worked at Strathcona Elementary for ten years. She likes to work at the school because of the good team of teachers and staff.

Her dad was a fisherman, and she has four brothers and three sisters. She went to boarding school and day school. Donna likes to gather cedar and make bracelets. Her favourite sport is capture the flag. Donna has been married for 30 years and she has three children. She says that she doesn’t have a favourite student in the school. All of the students are her favourites.

The things that make me a hero are that I’m really nice, and that I’m not rude and that nobody is rude to me.

3

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 3

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

R S . CH U D N O V S K Y

By Purity

My hero is Mrs. Chudnovsky. I talked to Mrs. Chudnovsky and asked her some questions, and these are the answers to the questions I asked her. Mrs. Chudnovsky’s hero is her grandmother because she was a great mom and went to school even when she had kids. Her grandmother also graduated and always stood up for her rights. Mrs. Chudnovsky’s future goals are to travel to Africa and Europe, and run a marathon. Her hobbies are exercising and cooking for her family. Her favourite book is by Barbra Kingsolver. For Mrs. Chudnovsky’s birthday, she would like to go out for dinner. Her birthday is May 12 and she is 36 years of age. Mrs. Chudnovsky had a cat named George, who died. If Mrs. Chudnovsky had to choose one word to describe herself, she would choose hopeful. Her favourite animal is a baby elephant.

I chose Mrs. Chudnovsky to be my hero because she is smart and nice.

The things that make me a hero are that I make people laugh and I’m nice and I stick up for my friends.

4

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 4

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

E

DISON

By Richard

My hero is my friend Edison because he helps me by opening the door for me. One of his heroes is Nelson Mandela because he stopped racism. Edison’s future goal is to be nice to everyone. My friend Edison likes to travel to Japan. Edison is nine years old and his birthday is March 12. Edison’s parents are 44 and 48 years old, and he doesn’t have a dog. His favourite animal is a panda. Edison’s mom works at a tea shop and his dad works as a chef.

The things that make me a hero are that I like to help people, share my food and be nice to people.

5

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 5

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

Y SISTER

By Annie

My hero is my sister because she helps me with my needs, provides for me and makes me laugh several times a day. I talked to my sister in our living room at our home. One of the questions I asked her was, “Who is your hero and why?”

Her answer was, “My mom, because she has been able to take care of my father, siblings and me exceptionally well.”

The next question I asked was, “What are your future goals?”

Her answer was to become a successful psychologist or flight attendant. In my opinion, I really hope my sister becomes a flight attendant so she can fly me around the world so we can have great memories in our childhood and older life.

The third question I asked her was, “Where do you like to travel and why?”

Her answer was something I found funny. She said, “Hawaii, because I like sunny beaches.” You might not find it funny, but I do. . . so, yeah.

Let’s go to the fourth question I asked my sister! I asked, “What is your dream job?”

Her answer was, “Psychologist.” I found that question very interesting. . .

6

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 6

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

But let’s move on to the fifth question, and it was, “What school do you plan on going to when you graduate and why?”

Her answer was, “University of Toronto, because there is a program there I’d like to join.” Hmmm. . . I wonder what it is. . . I will find out today!

The next question I asked was, “What is your favourite holiday and why?”

Her answer was, “Christmas, because it’s about giving.”

For 2014’s Christmas I hope she gives me something I want. . .

Anyway. . .

My next question was, “Do you plan on staying in Vancouver for your whole life, and if you don’t, where do you plan on going?”

Her answer was, “I plan to go to Hawaii.” I should’ve asked her, “Why are you so obsessed with Hawaii?” Haha.

But, let’s go to the next question! I asked, “If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?”

I really like her answer. It was, “Reading minds, because I could know what people think.” I’d actually want that power, too.

My next question was, “What’s your favourite quote?”

Her answer was, “Treat people the way you’d like to be treated.”

I agree with her on this one.

I have two more questions to talk about. The second-to-last question was, “What is your favourite childhood memory? Also, why?”

Her answer was, “Eating cake with my siblings on my fifth birthday, because that was the year I started school.” That’s not fair! I wasn’t even born yet! I was born nine months after her fifth birthday.

So, it’s time for my last question, and it is, “Where were you born?”

Her answer was, “Vancouver, British Columbia.” She was born in the same place as I was!

Let’s talk about what makes me a hero. The things that make me a hero are that I can help people when they need it, I’m fun, and I can be really weird and random sometimes.

7

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 7

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

S. JORGENSEN

By Jamie

My hero is Ms. Jorgensen because she runs a big school and has a huge job. I talked to Ms. Jorgensen in the hallway at school. Ms. Jorgensen’s hero was her mother because she believed in her and supported her and convinced her to never give up—even when things got hard. Her mom was a single mom and had four girls.

She raised her own girls and her grandkids. Even when she was tired, her mom never complained. She helped everybody and anybody. They had their friends and family over for dinner once a week. They ate, laughed and played games. They built a beautiful family and her mom died last year at the age of 97.

The things that make me a hero are that I’m good to others, and I stand up for my friends and other kids in the school!

8

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 8

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

S. QUAN

By Max

My hero is Ms. Quan because she is very kind. I talked to Ms. Quan in her classroom. She became a teacher because she loves children and had always wanted to work with them. She has been teaching for 33 years. She loves the excitement that children have for learning. She has two sisters and one brother who are all older than her. Her hobby, besides teaching, is gardening.

She isn’t married and has no kids. Her favourite sport is hockey because she likes the Canucks and the sport is very fast. She was born in Vancouver, B.C. Her favourite grades to teach are grades 1 and 2 because the kids are just learning to read and write. She likes grade 2 kids because they are older than the grade 1s and she can play games with them. Her favourite subject is social studies because she loves travelling and learning about the world. Her favourite teacher is Mrs. Keddie, her grade 5 teacher, because Ms. Quan thought she cared about kids. Mrs. Keddie made her work hard and Ms. Quan thought she was fun.

The things that make me a hero are that I’m really funny and I am very friendly.

9

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 9

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

Y MOM

By Kai

My hero is my mom because she’s kind, sweet and caring. I talked to my mom in her room when I interviewed her. I asked her what her favourite TV show or book is, and her answer was Anne of Green Gables because she has loved it since she was a little girl.

I asked her what her hobbies are and she said cooking—I know she is really good at it. She has two jobs, at SFU and a bridal shop.

I asked which one she likes better and she said she likes SFU better because she sees interesting stuff. Also, I asked her if she could have one superpower, which would it be and why. She said she would like the power to stop time because she needs more time to get things done. I asked if she likes her birthday or not.

She said she doesn’t because she is getting old. Then I asked her what her favourite food was, and she said tortellini with cheese and sauce because it’s tasty and soft. Also, I asked her what her favourite thing was when she was a little girl, and she said it was tetherball because she could beat anyone at it.

The things that make me a hero are that I’m friendly and funny.

10

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 10

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

K

A T H Y WA L K E R

By Claire

My hero is Kathy Walker because she started the Saint James Music Academy. I interviewed her at her house. I asked her who her hero is and she said she has two. The first one is Dorothy Day because she gave her life in service for people who struggled in the world. The second one is Mahatma Ghandi because he believed in non-violent resistance and justice for humanity. I also asked her what her future goals are, and she said to be a better person and spend more time with her kids, godkids and siblings. She’s been to India and she’s never been to Africa. Her favourite thing to do is run. I also like running. Kathy’s favourite two instruments are the piano—because it is big and makes beautiful sounds—and the cello—because it makes a deep sound. I also asked her what her favourite book is and she said it is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

One thing I was interested in was how long she thinks Saint James (the music academy) will go on for. She said she thinks it will go on for a long time because she wants to see it become a big symphony orchestra and they’re not far away from doing that. Another question I asked her was why she liked her job, and she said she likes watching kids join the orchestra. I also asked her what her favourite memory was and she said camping with her family. The last thing I asked her was, “Who is your favourite band?” and she said, “Hank Williams, Leonard Cohen, Fleetwood Mac and U2.”

One thing that makes me a hero is that I am helpful.

11

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 11

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

S. ANEMA

By Julianna

My hero is Ms. Anema because she is my gym teacher, and she helps me when I’m sad and she’s dependable. I talked to my hero in her classroom. My hero says her future goal is to get a master’s degree. Her birthday is December 8, 1978. She is 35. Her favourite season is summer because she can spend time with her little boys and the weather is nice. Ms. Anema started her job in 2003 at another school and then came to this school. Ms. Anema’s favourite food is steamed spare ribs. My hero’s best friend is Jane and she has been her best friend her whole life. Ms. Anema’s favourite sport is ringette because she grew up playing it from age six all the way to 18. My hero describes herself with one word: energetic.

Her hero is Ms. Powell-Williams—she admires and respects her.

My hero likes to travel, take road trips and camp in B.C. What makes me a hero is I’m funny because I like to joke around with friends. I’m brave because I stick up for people. I shine because I like to dance and sing. I like carrots like a bunny does. I’m weird because I do crazy dares and funny things. I love to go on the internet and Facebook.

12

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 12

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

S. KAREN

By Bryce

My hero is Ms. Karen because she’s nice and the best teacher I have ever had. Ms. Karen likes her job most of the time because she thinks teaching can impact children’s lives. Ms. Karen said that she would like to travel to all the provinces and territories in Canada in her car. Her future goals are to find a new career, and to become more involved in her nieces’ and nephews’ lives.

Ms. Karen said that if she had a million dollars, she would pay off all her debts and would donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation and donate to an animal foundation. Ms. Karen’s hero is her dad because he never looked at a bad situation in a bad way. In Ms. Karen’s spare time, she likes to go running, read, watch movies, and spend a lot of time with her family and her cats. Her favourite childhood memory is picking raspberries with her grandfather.

She is proud of all the children she taught. Her word to describe herself is unique. Her favourite food is chocolate cookies.

The things that make me a hero are that I’m a good friend, I’m funny and I’m nice.

13

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 13

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

Y MOM

By Jason

My hero is my mom because she cooks for me, protects me, buys me things and she is very nice. I talked to my mom in the kitchen. My mom’s heroes are her parents because her parents protect her. My mom’s future goal is to have a house. She’d like to travel to Paris. My mom says she would want to run her own business one day. My mom’s favourite colour is purple. She likes mint chocolate. Her favourite game on the iPad is Candy Crush Saga.

My mom likes to watch TV on the weekend. My mom didn’t like school when she was little. My mom likes to speak Chinese at home. One thing I learned about my mom that I didn’t know before is that she likes to eat mint chocolate. I would like to be like my mom one day by being good at cooking and being nice, because you can have more friends that way.

The things that make me a hero are that I’m nice, helpful and responsible.

14

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 14

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

D

ONNA

By Iziah

My hero is Donna because she is nice. I talked to Donna in her room. I asked her what her favourite pet is and she said her dog, Pepper, because he is cute and obedient. Donna chose the job of working at a school with kids because she likes to provide cultural enrichment through drumming, powwow dancing, and teaching kids about culture and history. Donna says she has stayed at Strathcona Elementary for ten years because the school has a good team of teachers and staff. Donna’s childhood was good because her dad was a fisherman and because it was fun. When she was young, she went to boarding school and day school. Her hobby is to gather cedar and make baskets. Donna has four brothers and three sisters. Her favourite sport is capture the flag. Donna has been married for 30 years and has three kids. Donna likes all the kids in the school.

The thing that makes me a hero is that I stick up for friends and I help people.

15

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 15

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

A

DRIANNA

By John

My hero is student support worker Adrianna because she is caring, kind and generous. I talked to my hero at my school. Her hero is Grandma Fadden because she raised seven children while battling a brain tumour. Adrianna would like to travel to Southeast Asia because she’s interested in the culture, the food and the people. She also wants to ride an elephant. Her favourite book is an autobiography about Elizabeth Smart and her years of being abducted. Adrianna, surprisingly, doesn’t like pets, so her favourite animals are elephants, giraffes, lions and other wild animals. Adrianna loves driving a car, but sadly her husband has it every day, so when she gets the car, she’s very happy. The country Adrianna loves the most is Canada, but if she could travel every year, she would go to Europe. Adrianna was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Adrianna’s favourite colours are shades: black, white and grey. Adrianna’s husband’s name is Grant and he works as an environmental engineer. Adrianna’s future goal is to record a singing album by the end of this year.

The thing that makes me a hero is that I’m good at math.

16

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 16

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

Y MOM

By Edison

My hero is my mom because she takes care of me. I talked to my hero at home in the kitchen. My mom’s hero is Abraham Lincoln. My mom’s favourite holiday is Canada Day. My mom wants to travel to the Great Wall of China because we are Chinese and also because it is a famous place. My mom’s favourite chocolate is milk chocolate because it’s delicious. Her hobby is swimming.

Her birthday is August 22, 1967. When my mom was little, she liked school. My mom lived in China when she was a child. My mom’s favourite school subject is math because it is interesting.

My mom’s favourite food is barbeque duck.

The things that make me a hero are that I’m nice and kind.

17

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 17

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

S. JORGENSEN

By Candyce

My hero is Ms. Jorgensen because she fixes problems I have with my friends and she gives me games to play when I am bored. I talked to Ms. Jorgensen in her office. Ms. Jorgensen loves to travel where there is sunshine, oceans, lakes, rivers and where it’s warm. She became a principal when she was 40 years old. Ms. Jorgensen’s hero is her mom because she was courageous, honest and she supported her. Her future goals are to keep learning, keep singing, keep making music and to be creative. Ms. Jorgensen’s favourite sport is anything that involves water. Ms. Jorgensen has two kids. She has one daughter and one son. Ms. Jorgensen became a principal because she loves learning and trying new things. She got a master’s degree in literacy education. Ms. Jorgensen loves her job. Ms. Jorgensen likes being a principal, but she sometimes misses the classroom. Ms. Jorgensen went to Lord Tennyson for kindergarten to grade 7 and Kitsilano for grades 8 to 12. She has so many friends. Her favourite things to do are reading, cooking and hanging out with her kids. Ms. Jorgensen said that she does not know how to knit. She graduated from high school in 1978. Her special memories are her holiday times with her family, and she loves to travel with her son and daughter, and with her friends. Her favourite subjects to teach are literacy, reading and art. Before she became a principle, she was a caterer. Her 18

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 18

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

favourite foods to eat are Mexican and other foods with lots of spice and flavour. Her favourite field trip when she was in school was to Anvil Island. It was her first time ever camping and she got to go on a ferry. Her favourite animals are cats, dogs and dolphins. She loves all animals. Her favourite number is 11 because it’s lucky. She loves to drink coffee. Her birthday is on October 11.

The things that make me a hero are that I help my mom, massage her, clean the bathtub by myself and I sometimes help my mom with her work that she brings home.

19

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 19

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

R. BROWN

By Dean

My hero is Mr. Brown. He is my vice principal. I interviewed him in his office. He became a vice principal after teaching for six years. Ms. Jorgensen encouraged him to apply for vice principal. His favourite thing about being vice principal is he gets to see every kid in the school. He has been vice principal for two years. I asked Mr. Brown what his favourite pet was and why. He told me it would be a big dog, like a Labrador retriever, because they are fun and personable. Mr. Brown is married and he has one child, who is three and a half years old. He got his master’s of education and it took him eight years after high school to get it. I asked him who his favourite student was and he said it was me.

He told me his favourite teacher is Mrs. Debuar because she is fun, friendly, caring and smart. He also said his favourite sport is Brazilian jujitsu because it challenges him. I also asked him if he likes running on a treadmill, and if he considers himself an apple or a pear. He said he likes apples because they are crispy, fresh and taste good, and he does like running on a treadmill.

The things that make me a hero are that I try to notice how other people are feeling and I’m helpful to other people.

20

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 20

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

Y DAD

By Robert

My hero is my dad because he’s protected me since birth. I talked to my dad in Greg’s room. (Greg’s room is in the school.) When my dad was young, two years old, he had a pet duck, but my dad thought it was a dog, even though people said it was a duck. Later on he thought the animal’s “name” was duck. This was his favourite memory. When my dad was a teenager, he was very excited to represent Canada by attending the 1984 Olympics.

Things that make me a hero are that I’m smart, creative and have a big future.

21

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 21

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

S . LE U N G

By Min Young

My hero is Ms. Leung because she cares. She is always checking if I am alright. She never gets mad at me. She is a problem solver.

I interviewed her in her room in a primary building. She fixes problems by listening, keeping an open mind and communicating. She teaches social skills. She started working as a teacher 25 years ago. Ms. Leung said she had a good childhood even though she was poor. Ms. Leung’s birthday is March 18. She loves working. She thinks it’s very interesting. Her favourite animal is a dog.

She studied hard in school. She likes some sports like swimming, badminton and running.

The things that make me a hero are that even though I don’t want to do homework or read, I still do it. I don’t like sharing, but I do share. I don’t like to eat vegetables, but I still eat them.

22

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 22

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

G

RANDMA

By Kitty

My hero is Grandma because she is nice and she always smiles at me. I talked to my grandma at home. When I asked her, “What is your favourite food?”, she said her favourite food is fish because it is healthy. Next I asked her, “Who is your hero?” and she said her hero is my mother because when my mother was little, she always listened to my grandma, and now that my mother has grown up, she is very hard working. Then I asked her, “What is your future goal?” and she said she wants to win the lottery. Then I asked, “Where do you like to travel?” and she said she likes to travel in Japan. Next I asked, “Do you want to teach me how to cook that well?” and she said she wants to teach me how to cook that well.

Then I asked, “Do you like children?” and she said she loves children because she loves me. Next I said, “What is your favourite animal?” and she said her favourite animal is a cat because cats are very cute. Then I asked, “What was your favourite school subject when you were little?” and she said her favourite school subject when she was little was math because math can help your brain become smarter. Then I asked, “What was your dream when you were little?” and then she said when she was little she wanted to be a doctor because she wanted to make more money.

The things that make me a hero are that I help people if they need help, and I’m smart and friendly.

23

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 23

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

K

A T H Y WA L K E R

By Desiree

My hero is Kathy Walker. Why? Because she started the Saint James Music Academy. You might be wondering why she decided to start it. Well, that’s just what I asked her.

She said, “I had four of my children in a subsidized piano program. They pulled the subsidy so I had to pull two kids out! So I thought if I’m having this kind of trouble, other parents must be having this trouble, too. I thought someone should start a free music program for kids who can’t afford music lessons. And I never thought I was going to be the one to start it!”

I was also wondering how long she thinks it will go on for. She told me, “I want to see it go on for a long time and make a symphony orchestra. We are not that far away from it.”

I asked her, “Who’s your hero and why?”

She said, “Dorothy Day, because she gave her life in service to people who were struggling. And Gandhi, because he was the best example of non-violent resistance to injustice and love for humanity.”

“What do you do in your spare time?” I asked.

She said she loves going to live music and spending time with her family.

“Where do you like to travel?”

24

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 24

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

“I love India,” she said, answering me. “And I’ve never been to Africa but I would like to.”

I then asked her what is her favourite memory of when she was young.

She said she could not think of one but she did like going away with her family.

“I only played ukulele,” she said, answering my question of “Did you ever play an instrument?”

“What is my favourite part about working at Saint James Music Academy?” said Kathy. “Well. . . Hanging around with children and watching them become musicians!”

25

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 25

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

n ! o r R

ON

By Michael

My hero is Ron because he runs the community centre. I talked to him in his office. He said his heroes are his dad, Terry Fox and Rick Hansen. Ron said his future goals are to read 1500 more books and to work at the Strathcona Community Centre for 20 more years.

He likes to go to basketball games. He’ll be 61 in June. His birthday is June 18. His favourite colour is green. Ron’s favourite food is noodles. He sometimes writes poems. He does cook.

The things that make me a hero are that I’m kind, friendly, sometimes I’m silent and I share.

26

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 26

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

M

Y MOM

By Kaiya

My mom is my hero. She takes great care of me.

27

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 27

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

n d e e ! h t

Heroes_Interior PRESS.indd 28

2014-04-07 11:29 PM

Copyright © 2014 The Writers’ Exchange

T his book was created by Division 7, Ms. Chudnovsky’s grade 4/5 class, at Strathcona Elementary in the winter of 2014.

The Writers’ Exchange makes literacy exciting and accessible for inner-city kids through free 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 generous donors, including Megan Abbott, Marily Mearns, the Vancouver Foundation, Nancy and Ted Maitland, Bernard MacLeod, TELUS, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, the Central City Foundation, Lindsay Mearns, Claudia Casper and James Griffin, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and the Hamber Foundation.

Thank you. And thank you to the amazing volunteer mentors who work with the kids in all Writers’ Exchange programs so that each child can succeed to the best of his or her ability.

Writers’ Exchange 881 East Hastings Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8 To read more great student writing, visit vancouverWE.com.

Writers’ Exchange mentors:

Amanda G., Ginny, Grady, Jennifer, Laura, Tera

editorial support:

Clementine, Mira

Design and layout:

Mauve Pagé, pageanddesign.com

project of

tha n k you !

The Writers’ Exchange is a project of Tides Canada Initiatives Society.

Printing for this chapbook was generously donated

by Hemlock.

Writers’ Exchange in-school projects are made possible by the Vancouver Foundation and Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.

Heroes_cover PRESS.indd 4-5

2014-04-07 11:32 PM

irational p s In

oes r e h in our wor ld Written and Illustrated

by Division 7 at Strathcona Elementary

Heroes_cover PRESS.indd 2-3

2014-04-07 11:31 PM