“I choose to write “Love is a Wall and a Bridge” because I believe that love is lots of things. Some good and some not so good, and I just wanted to portray that in a poem.” by Peyton, Age 11 Continue reading
Mr Clumsy Big Bear
by Tvisha, Age 10
Mr Big Bear was a clumsy old fellow
Everything slipped out of his hands like jello
Plates, Bowls, Silverware too
All slip out, and everyone knew
Because with a crash and a bash and a smash Continue reading
Curtis & the Boy Next Door
by Isabella French, Illustrated by Carmen Durand
Chapter 1
It was a beautiful fall morning, eight days into October, and Curtis was turning 10. His mother had planned a party with all his school friends at their place that afternoon. Curtis lived with his mom and dad in a townhouse complex that lied between the outskirts of their small town and its surrounding forest.
Usually it was cooling down this time of year, but that day the sun was shining after a few long rainy days. Even though the air was brisk, Curtis wanted to go outside and do something. He thought it would be fun to go out with Derek for a bike ride before the rest of his friends came for the party.
Derek, Curtis’ best friend, lived right next door. They had almost everything in common, even their size, except Derek was two years older. Derek lived with his mom and was good about helping her out as much as he could. But even so, he was always game for getting out of the house for a little break when she was doing her housework. She’s the kind of mom who likes to put headphones on and sing loudly out of tune while she works! Before the boys left for their ride, she leaned over, rustled Derek’s hair and said, “Have fun boys!” The boys found their shoes then sat on the steps to put them on. Continue reading
Cupcake Catastrophe
by Kendra, Age 12
Eliza Maxwell leaped off the bus and dashed to her house. “I’m home!” she announced, slamming the door behind her and tossing her backpack onto a window-seat.
Eliza’s older brother, Jacob, stepped into the room, his hands greasy. Jacob was studying to be a car mechanic, and practiced on the family van whenever he could. “Hey, Liz!” he called.
Eliza’s younger brother, Sammie, and the family dog, Squash, bounded in together—Squash’s nails clicking on the tile floor. “Hey Liz!” yelled Sammie. Squash barked excitedly. Eliza leaned down to pet him.
“We’re having a class party!” She took off her shoes and flopped down at the kitchen table. “My teacher says we all have to bring something to do or eat, but I can’t think of anything to bring!”
Jacob shrugged. “Well, you could bake those strawberry cupcakes Mom made for your birthday last year.”
Eliza gasped. “That’s perfect! Will you help me?” Continue reading
River Poems
A Grade 5/6 class from Glacier View Elementary spent an afternoon visiting Trent River. They took their water color supplies and writing books and worked in silence as the water gurgled past them. It was a warm October day with the deep blue skies behind the brilliance of golden maple leaves and dark green firs. As their teacher describes it, they were learning to love nature.
My Crazy Aunt
My crazy aunt wears a funky dress.
She always dares me.
For pets she has a monkey
and a fish that talks.
My crazy aunt is very lazy.
She has a friend who is crabby.
I call her Big Loud Abby.
My crazy aunt has a wig. Continue reading
Should’ve Learned the First Time
by Camille Atebe, Illustrated by Jess Olsen
Chapter 1
Little Red Riding Hood walked home through the woods wearily, her beautiful red cloak matted and sticky with wolf saliva. She had had a rough day, as anyone familiar with her story well knows. Her empty picnic basket knocked against her knees as she walked, and her fist clenched the bunch of flowers she had picked for her Granny, now withered and limp (not her Granny, the flowers. Although, come to think of it, her Granny was looking a little withered and limp too, after the day she’d had.) Red finally reached her own front door and pushed it open. There in the front entrance stood her mother, arms crossed, mouth pursed with disapproval, eyes blazing. Uh-oh, thought Red.
Of course Red got in trouble. She was horribly late, and hadn’t called. The fact that the Big Bad Wolf had eaten the phone did not absolve her, since it was her fault that the Big Bad Wolf was in Granny’s house in the first place. Red’s mom sent Red’s dad out to make sure Granny was okay (she was) and yelled at Red quite extensively. Continue reading
Boombox Mystery
It was an ordinary Monday evening. Courtney had eaten supper and was on her way to dance class. When she got there, she saw her dance teacher, Tracy. Tracy was a super energetic person and Courtney had been taking her dance classes for two years. It had never been boring, especially not tonight, as you will soon discover!
“Hi, Tracy. How are you today?” asked Courtney.
“I’m a little confused,” replied Tracy. Continue reading
Click! Click!
…shoved it in a blender and pressed liquefy. I tossed my homework aside for the time being, and settled myself in front of the television—determined to rid my brain of anything useful it had learned during the day.
It took me several minutes to find the remote. I finally located it shoved between pizza boxes in the bottom corner of our fridge. (We have the most organized family.) Triumphantly, with remote in hand, I made my way to the disgusting dust lump my mother likes to call a sofa. Settling myself in the most comfortable position I could find, I raised the remote to the TV. Continue reading
South River School
“I’m Julian. I love writing! I live with my mom, a dog and two cats. Try writing the ending to my short story I call, The South River School.” Julian, Age 12
Day 1
I was the new kid at school and I didn’t like it. Mom said I would make friends easily but… there was something wrong with the school here. The school is fenced in for some reason and the teachers were so weird. Something was wrong I could feel it. On my first day, I met Alex and he was my only friend in that school.
I am to freaked out to talk about Day 2-6. Sorry.
Day 7
It was any other day at the weirdest school in the world. I was late and the room was dead silent. “Sorry, I’m late Mr Kean.” Said a mysterious voice in the front of the room. I looked up to see a girl. Continue reading
