Young Reader Club Issue 11

Issue 11 /

SGD 7.50 ISSN: 2010- 1376

3 Cool AwardWinning Stories

New Inspirations for Writing

Breaking Boundaries in Cambodia:

Taking the Next Steps to Development

I Can Write, So Can You Sure-Fire Tips to Improve Writing

New Departments!

Singapore Insights CORE 101 Yogesh Hirdaramani Our Featured Author of the Month

Building the Next Generation of Thinkers & Writers 3 Issue 11

Get More From Your YRC Magazine!

YRC Magazine has more than just stories to share.

E-BOOKS. WORKSHEETS. E-MAGAZINES. BLOGS & MORE!

www.youngreaderclub.sg

Register NOW to get free worksheets & e-books!

Vol 8. 2011 /

YRC Online provides blogs and reviews by young authors about issues and topics that concern the youth of today, while giving opportunities to maximise the YRC experience through e-books, worksheets for students and teachers, and e-magazines!

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SGD 7.50 ISSN: 2010- 1376

Breaking Boundaries: Cambodia

2 teachers and 1 village with a dream

YRC Investigates:

Singapore’s Lost History

Discovering memories & more

Health Matters

Celebrating World Milk Day 2011

Fierce Facts

Cool things about pizza

3 Fascinating Tales You Can’t Resist

Jennifer Yip, Maybank 2007 YAA Awardee Our Featured Author of the Month

Building the Next Generation of Thinkers & Writers3 VOL. 8 2011

TEAM Managing Editor Catherine Khoo Editor Carlo Venson Peña Circulation Manager

Nannette Cruz Designer

Lim Soo Yong Editorial Assistant Shantha Lakshmie d/o Sithanandar Natalya Thalagmany Contributors

Jimmy Lee, Tan Sok Ngin, Paulina Lee, Jeanette Xavier Illustrators

Michelle Hogg, Shaun Sager Adeline Lim YAC Core Contributors

Kenrick Lam, Bryan Lim, Dejoy Shastikk Kumaran, Lee Tat Wei, Isabelle Lim, Theresa Ellsworth For advertising and sales enquiries

6336 8985 Education Subscription Agent

EmitAsia 6372 0330 Email: info@youngreaderclub.sg Website: www.youngreaderclub.sg All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Call 6336-8985 for back issues.

Cover and additional photos by

Carlo Venson Peña

LETTER

FROM THE EDITOR

It is the new year and YRC promises to be bigger than ever. With the help of our partners, we have moved into more schools and more homes for 2012, with a guaranteed circulation of 20,000 and growing. This we attribute to YRC Magazine’s staff and industry partners.

As we move towards YRC Magazine’s third year, we can only but be grateful that you have been with us all the way.

The year dawns a lot of new things for you as well, our dear readers. We welcome back Paulina Lee and Ms Jeanette Xavier, for our new department, Singapore Insights, which talks about growing up amidst the changing environs open to Singaporeans; we follow the last few exploits of Jieyun in the first village that they started out with, in Breaking Boundaries; and we feature three award-winning pieces from our young authors, aside from our top roster of departments.

While some believe that 2012 could be ominous, many of us are very optimistic of the coming months. For starters, your improved YRC now comes with resource kits and worksheets, which you can download at the site, or get as an added bonus if you’re a bulk subscriber. The magazine is also available on the Delite platform while our e-books are in Skoob, through SingTel. Download the free apps and then start ordering your YRC and YAS books for a nominal fee to read them on your iPads and iPhones.

Truly a lot of good things to look forward to, and to look back at as YRC Magazine turns three. We hope that you join us with these changes and enjoy the ride with us.

For enquiries and subscriptions to YRC Magazine, email info@youngreaderclub.sg or books@catherinekhoo.sg.

Call 6336.8985 for more information.

Happy reading!

is published by Experiences & Experiments Pte Ltd 442A Joo Chiat Road Singapore 427655 Issue 11

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features

H YOUNG AUTHORS H

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Featured Author

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The Life Game by Emilyn Foong

YAA 2010/11 3rd Prize Winner In a matter of moments, life changes just like that. What can a little girl do when all hopes seemed lost? Read this riveting story by Emilyn Foong and see how hope plays a key role in this game called life.

Gracing YRC’s maiden issue for 2012 is young author Yogesh Hirdaramani. Bringing his own scheme of things into his writing style and drama background, read to find out how the Young Author Scheme changed his perspective about sharing his thoughts with others.

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21 Deadly Tarmac by Surya Selvakumar

May it be a faulty engine or a missing screw, no accident is too big nor too dubious when you land at the deadly tarmac!

Catch this thought-provoking story by 2010/11 Merit winner Surya Selvakumar.

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From Young to Old by Nanda Min Htin

Read on as three friends go through the twists and turns of life, amidst wondering how everyone else’s life is messed up

by Fate or Destiny or whatever life cycle that controls it.

departments

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H E D U C AT I O N H

45 YRC Investigates: Singapore’s National Development

Singapore is just as strong as its people. YRC Investigates takes a look at how young authors perceive nation-building and

how they see Singapore in the next five years.

55 Singapore Insights

Three people, three lives, three insights on one country’s

education system and beyond. Catch YRC’s newest department

and see why Singapore is on the verge of a paradigm shift in education.

63 Parents Ask, Teens Answer

In a time when lines are blurred and yet threats are still present, parents ask how teens can develop more love for the country and the ideals that it represents.

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PROFILE

Emilyn Foong Siew Li, 15

Heartwarmers

Changkat Changi Secondary School The Life Game wasn’t something that I had planned to write.

It just happened. When I wrote it for the YAA, it was simply out of novelty. I wanted to try my hand at writing a complete novel, and signed up for it in the spur of the moment. After that, what fueled the writing process were my passion and the pressing deadline – well, mostly passion. I drew inspiration from my circumstances and the wealth of feelings of being a teenager. The YAA has since led me to be more confident, and spurred me to explore more and reach greater heights in my writing.

The Life Game 3rd Prize, Young Author Awards 2010-11

Chapter 1 “Stay here, Faith.” A mother dressed smartly in an important looking business suit led her young daughter to a bench overlooking a playground full of children. “Do not move away, understand? I’m just going off a while.” I nodded obediently and took out a book to read as I sat at the bench.

My mother and I had just moved into the neighbourhood a few days ago and Mom was bringing me out to get some things for a house warming party.

After a while, I found myself looking longingly at the playground, watching wistfully as other children my age ran around gleefully, dashing around the jungle gym, and sliding down the slides. A little boy that was playing a game of marbles with a group of friends caught me looking and ran over.

“Hey, wanna play with us?” he smiled cheerfully. A couple of his friends came over curiously, and scrutinised my light green dress and white sandals.

“I doubt she will, Sky!” they mocked, 8

Illustrations by Adeline Lim

“Wouldn’t want to get her dress dirty!”

They darted off giggling, and resumed their game. I bowed my head in embarrassment, and quietly shook my head. Sky turned to join his friends, but as if like an afterthought, ran back and gave me a daisy from the grass patch. I looked up in surprise, and meekly accepted the flower with a smile.

Sky seemed satisfied that I was cheered up, then finally turned and ran after his friends, leaving me to once again watch in envy at the joy of others, wanting so much to join, yet afraid that Mom would scold me for dirtying the dress she had specially picked out for this event.

“Let’s go, Scarlet.” Mom materialised behind the bench and without looking at me, motioned at me to get into the car. I hurriedly packed my book into my Muffy backpack, and followed her. Upon impulse, I glanced back at the playground and caught Sky’s eye. Sky was waving goodbye and smiling. As I waved back with the daisy in my hand, I somehow felt a little less lonely, and much happier.

was so easy to blow me off another dinner date– one that she had already rescheduled half a billion times. She would insist that whatever cropped up last minute was very important, that she just couldn’t afford to offend the client and that if I would just be more sensible and understand how hard she had to work to feed me, to clothe me, to pay for the mortgage and the bills, and so on and so forth.

I felt like she was reading the riot act to me each time, an excuse to silence my protest for her continued absence. Still, I took a slice of her guilt pizza and headed out, hoping to make two extra rounds on the track 10

beside the field opposite the flat burn off the extra pounds.

Chapter 4 I just finished my third round – I didn’t really keep track as I was lost in thought, as it is the case many times. Jogging with music flowing through my ears helped me to think, and it felt more refreshing after a jog than tiring as it seemed to most my friends. This was a routine exercise I kept up almost every day, just another activity to stay out of the empty house that made me feel lonely and abandoned– I stopped for a water break at

PROFILE Surya Selvakumar, 11 Henry Park Primary School

Mystery & A dve n t u r e

My name is Surya Varma and I am from Henry Park Primary School.

I joined the YAS after being selected by my teacher to join the programme. We were mentored by Ms Catherine Khoo, founder of Janus Education. The end product of the programme was my very own book entitled: “Deadly Tarmac.” The idea for the story was inspired by two programmes on the television. They were a series of air crashes experienced by a pilot. My story was good enough to become a finalist for the YAA awards and I won a merit prize. It was highly commended by my teachers and fellow pupils. I have always enjoyed writing and see writing as a way of expressing my feelings and experiences. I read widely and reading helps me become a better writer. I hope to develop into a better writer and someday publish my own novel.

Deadly Tarmac Merit Prize Winner, Young Author Awards 2010-11

Take-Off The Concorde’s jet engine roared like that of a lion and a tiger in unison, disrupting the calm silence of the John F. Kennedy Airport. Very soon, the Concorde took for the skies, illuminating the night with its gossamer wings. Next to take off from the tarmac was a F-14 Tomcat; my F-14.

“Good luck, Griffan. For the sake of the kids, please don’t get hurt,” Hikari exclaimed in the sweet voice she always had. Her raven black hair cascaded down like an eternal waterfall. Her brown eyes shone against the brilliant light let out from the control tower. I gazed at her the same way a lovebird would gaze at his mate as I boarded my jet.

I powered up my jet as I taxied down the runway. I got permission from the air traffic controller to fly. Soon, my F-14 took to the skies after what seemed like an eternity.

Disaster “So far, so good…” I thought to myself.

Illustrations by Michelle Hogg

Then, the plane shook violently as it dashed around the sky. What happened next was unbelievable: the jet’s wings burst into a raging inferno. It dotted the night sky with jet fuel and fire. It smelled of combusted fuel.

The jet flew uncontrollably, like Phaeton riding Helios’ sun chariot with no proper guidance.

All hell broke loose as the plane was ripped apart by Mother Nature’s horrible forces. The aluminum skin crushed buildings below and killed people as the debris plummeted down like a falcon. The skeleton, in which I was still trapped, plummeted down whole directly towards the control tower.

The jet inched closer and closer until…

KABOOOM!!!

The jet crashed into the control tower.

Thank God, Hikari was still alive. Everyone else in the control tower was killed. She appeared traumatised. The piece of land that once stood majestically ahead of me was now debris and rubble; masked by the corpes of those in the control tower.

Why did it crash? This question raced Issue 11

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PROFILE

Nanda Min Htin, 14

Heartwarmers

Hwa Chong Institution I like to write, not just because the words portray feelings, but also because writing helps me think. When I write, I constantly check my work and consider how the reader would possibly feel when he/she reads it. Thus, my story is a form of a reflection of the life of normal schoolkids growing up and it will probably make readers think back in their lives. I hope my story is enjoyed by readers, both young or old.

From Young to Old Merit Prize Winner, Young Author Awards 2010-11

As they always say, the bond of friendship is an everlasting tie which is never meant to be broken. This short story tells the tale of three best friends who trusted each other more than anything else in the world.

Read this and understand how much hardship each of them had to encounter to be finally reunited after a heartbreaking part of their lives. Let the element of friendship come alive and be reborn through many obstacles and pains. This is friendship, a virtue.

Jim Coughlan “Jim, Jim Coughlan,” answered a young boy who was no thinner than a fully grown adult.

Scanning Jim curiously with the eyes of a scheming fox, the nurse stared the photograph of Jim on her handheld clipboard and said, “Young man, you don’t resemble the boy in the photo at all.”

“Duh, everybody says that. It’s a great, big wonder why my mother sticks to using my picture as a baby. Now does that answer

Illustrations by Adeline Lim

your query?” Jim replying casually.

The nurse frowned. “I’ll accept that - for now. Anyway, the dentist is waiting for you in Room Two,” she said.

Upon hearing that, he put down his copy of The State, slid off the sofa in the dental clinic and ambled towards the humongous wooden door.

“Come in!” the dentist inside Room two called.

The door opened and cool air from the air-conditioned consultation room hit Jim’s face.

As Jim closed the door, the female dentist, Ms Art, immediately said “Jim, please sit on that chair, near the washbasin.”

Getting up from her swivel chair, she continued, “Now, I’ll start with examining your teeth, and then I’ll see if there is anything necessary to be done.”

As Jim sat on the chair, its backrest slowly angled down to a lying position with a small, mechanical whir. Jim had just laid down on it when a flamboyant sticker pasted on the plastic armrest caught his beady eyes.

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skin and he was on the verge of being underweight. Still, he had never been bothered by any of his conditions.

His father, the sole breadwinner of his family of five, rarely received sufficient income to support his family for even a month.

His boss, a savage tyrant, forced him to work overtime but did not pay him regularly. His father had no choice but to oblige as many companies were not hiring any more workers, no thanks to the economic crisis. Some workers were even retrenched. Alex’s father, Mr Ben Troy, counted himself lucky and blessed.

Alex was a hardworking eleven-year old student studying in Bright Blossoms Primary school. Although he was in the top 25 percent in the level, he had the determination to

progress further and success.

The only subject that he truly excelled in was Science, and he always had two caring friends that helped him in English and Mathematics. Their names were Jim Coughlan and Dan Delaney.

The S3 Advanced 2 (3 B.C.) “Let’s go for a stroll around the school,” Jim suggested.

“I’m in,” Alex cheerfully replied.

Dan sighed and said, “I hate being a pre fect! I never get to have a full recess. Before I met you both, I believed school grub was GROSS! You know, this prefect business is downright stupid! Why must you patrol the Issue 11

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YRC Investigates

Introduction by Shantha Lakshmie d/o Sithanandran.

With contributions from YAC Core Writers: Isabelle Lim, Lee Tat Wei, Dejoy Shastikk Kumaran.

Three young authors share their thoughts on nation-building. In YRC Investigates’ first issue in 2012, it looks at how the youth is playing a role in how we can all share in moving towards a brighter, bolder Singapore in the next few decades.

2012.

It is only fitting to think not just of ourselves and our resolutions, but spare a thought and more to our surroundings within this city-state of Singapore. An eventful year it was, 2011; Singapore saw a new president, a lively election, a younger generation coming into its own, opinions vocalised across different fora and platforms, and essentially a growth spurt in our national development that went beyond infrastructures and successful government campaigns to stop litterbugs.

But what exactly is National Development and how does the next generation of Singapore’s thinkers and writers define it?

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Email from...

Austria

T

his issue of YRC welcomes Michaela from Austria who shares with us how her school and family imbibe the love for country and encourage her to contribute and live the spirit of nation-building.

Michaela Thelma Wochesländer School: Gymnasium Sachsenbrunn Level: 1. Klasse (5th Grade) Hobbies: Gym in school, Handcraft, Drawing, Playing Wii How does your school/parents teach you the importance of nation building?

In school we are taught in history of nation building, but I’m not yet in the grade we’re it is taught to me. So my parents tell me it is important to know what nation-bulding is. The best example would be the time when Austria and Hungary had been states. It was the time when Austria was a monarchy.

How do you show your love for your country?

The 1st May and 26th October are very important days for our country. On these days we hang our nation flag and our president speaks to us via television. Also when there is a national Austrian football game against another country I stand up when our hymn is played and I sing to it.

What do you do to contribute to nation building, as a student, as a teen, as a citizen?

As a student I will do my best to get a good job in the future because I want to become a doctor one day.

I also help our economy by mostly buying goods which are produced in Austria, well not just me but my parents as well. When I’m older I want to make use of my right to vote. In Austria when you reach 16 years old, you are allowed to vote.

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Singapore Insights YRC welcomes a new department under its helm: Singapore Insights. Read on and discover the sojourns of three individuals who have taken different paths into understanding how it is to be in and out of Singapore. Explore and see how Singapore is shaping and reshaping its learning landscape through its people’s stories.

PAULINA LEE, Singaporean Student in Australia Before I went to China, I was prejudiced towards the whole country; I believed that there was nothing good there except for really cheap stuff… My aunts also told me how bad and smelly the toilets were, how oily the food was… So I set off to China feeling absolutely disgusted, regretting why I agreed to go…

In China, the first thing that struck us was the really bad smell of the toilets, but I got over it by only drinking water at night… The food was so oily that I did not touch them at all; I only drank soup and ate rice…

All the above are my negative comments of China, worsened by my prejudice towards them.

However, after we started to visit the “sun sun shui shui” (mountains and lakes), my whole perspective of China started to change.

The scenery was spectacular, something that Singapore can never offer. Being such a crazy photographer, I went insane; you just could not stop clicking! Even the sunrise was so pretty!

Everything was just beautiful. I started to wonder why some people did not appreciate what they have been given. Even with the signs saying no smoking in these nature reserves, they just did it. I found that rather sad.

China is a beautiful place if you could just throw away your prejudice and put all your worries aside. Appreciate China. The place may not be very friendly because of the fear of melanin in the milk you drink, and the way they Issue 11

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Parents Ask, Teens Answer Teens are a trove of energy and a burst of ideas. As parents, we want them to take pride in what they do and lean them towards excellence.

Mdm Ling, a parent from Sengkang asks: With the globalisation of almost everything they do and get exposed to, how do I foster national pride in my teen? How can I share my pride of being Singaporean to him/her?

Building Pride in What They Do

YAC Core pioneer Kenrick Lam shares his experience on the issue, “My parents and I have been living in Singapore all our lives. At times, it has been difficult to cope with the highly-competitive culture that the nation has inculcated but we see this island as our home and are very proud of it. My parents say that being proud of our country is not difficult, especially because Singapore has achieved much in various fields over the years. However, the real sense of pride comes from being part of this country and knowing how far we’ve come since its early days as a tiny island emerging out of World War 2.

The many stories that they have shared with me about their childhood has given me a sense of ownership towards Singapore.”

He adds,“Contributing to Singapore’s national development at this stage in our lives is very easy. How we groom ourselves to be will impact the future of the country. How every one of us emerges from our teens into adulthood is how every one of the new generation of Singaporeans is going to turn out. We can take this time in our schooling years to develop a sense of national and international awareness to create our own vision for a better Singapore. Only then, when we emerge to take the reins as Singapore’s new generation of leaders, will we be able to make Singapore the thriving cosmopolitan city that we aim to nurture. Our personal visions at such a young age may seem to be pipe dreams, but do not be discouraged by what you cannot do. Keep this in mind: Singapore needs your visions to create a brighter future that we can all look forward to and be part of!”

Similarly, our resident counsellor Tan Sok Ngin says, “Instilling a sense of national pride should Issue 11

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I Can Write, So Can You

by Catherine Khoo

Write Away! Sure-Fire Tips To Get That Story Going

So you want to get started? And you wonder how to do it? In my two decades mentoring 8 to 18 year olds to write, I cannot but notice that all of us have stories in our head. But the brave ones venture one step further. They put pen to paper, or well, finger to keyboard, and lo and behold, a story unfolds. If you are still hesitating, follow the steps below and I believe you would have a story in no time.

Part One: Ideas People often wonder where writers get their ideas for stories. It takes so many ideas to make a story or a novel! Here’s a secret: writers don’t think of all those ideas. They steal them! Not really, but they find ideas from many sources and combine them to make an original story.

• Look for ideas in real life, such as funny quotes, interesting people, or occurrences at school.

• Consider your favourite stories. You can use elements of them to make a new story.

• Brainstorm! Combine several ideas to form the basis of a new story. For example, Harry Potter books combine school, sports, destiny, a kid in a “Cinderella” type situation, battles between good and evil, and magic to create compelling stories.

Part Two: Sketch the “basics” of your story These are the basics of all stories: 1. Sympathetic character 2. Who faces a problem 3. Character solves problem Don’t get into details, but have an idea of your main character and the conflict.

Part Three: Fill in the details: Character and Conflict Character First, build your main character. Here are

important traits of a main character: • Has a problem or need.

• Has the ability to solve the problem, whether or not he knows it (there’s usually more suspense if he doesn’t).

• Often has a flaw to overcome to solve the problem or win the reward.

Then, think about your secondary characters: the main character’s friends and enemies. To get you started, I’ve listed some types of secondary characters, along with famous examples of each.

• Villains: Block the main character from reaching goals. (The Green Goblin in Spider Man) • Allies: Assist the main character in reaching goals. (Robin in Batman) • Mentors: Wise characters that help the main character. (Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars) • Jokers: Lighten things up! Often the main character’s best friend is a joker. (Donkey in Shrek) Tips on creating characters: If you already have a plot in mind, think of who needs this plot – who has a need the plot’s reward would fulfill? Who could grow by overcoming the obstacles?

That is your main character.

Combine different types of characters. Examples: a funny villain (Dr. Evil in Austin Powers); a mentor who is also a joker (Hagrid in Harry Potter); a villain that becomes an ally and helps the main character solve the real problem (Floop in Spy Kids).

Conflict – a storyteller’s best friend • The stronger the story problem, the stronger the story.

• Don’t be nice to your character! Create obstacles to the goal. The story is more exciting that way, the character learns more, and the reward is more valuable since the character Issue 11

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Resources Get more from your YRC Magazine by using these exercises and activities in your classroom discussions! For more worksheets and teacher resource kits, log on to www.youngreaderclub.sg and click on Member’s Corner.

Fleshed out from this issue of the YRC, let this be your little guide for understanding the stories better. Take it a step further, and try building short narratives using these words!

Enjoin (verb). To instruct or urge someone to do something.

Meekly (adjective). Humble; long-suffering or patient.

Detour (noun/verb). A deviation from a direct course of action or road.

Lanky (adjective). Ungracefully thin and tall.

Lopsided (adjective). With one side smaller or lower than the other.

Smirk (noun). A smile expressing scorn or offense.

Having trouble starting discussions in class?

Ask these questions and see how you can take the class interactions further.

1. Which article/story did you like? What learning did you gain from it?

2.

How do you make sure that you give back to the nation?

3. Do you think students, in general, appreciate what the country has done for them?

Huff (noun/verb). Laboured breathing; to emit puffs of breath or steam.

4. How do you develop the Singaporean spirit in your family?

Jovial (adjective). Merry; cheerful or jolly.

5. How do you show that you love Singapore?

Squadron (noun). A cavalry or other unit that consists of a number of troops.

Ruptured (verb). To break or burst suddenly.

Exuded (verb). To discharge moisture or smell slowly and steadily.

Petrified (verb). To frighten someone.

Frolicsome (adjective). Lively and playful.

Guffawed (verb). To bellow or roar with laughter.

6. What makes Singapore and Singaporeans unique?

7. What should the government do more to promote nation building among students?

Flabbergasted (verb). To be overcome with astonishment Ravaged (verb). To cause severe and extreme damage to something or someone.

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Aspi

ring W r i t e rs !

Do you love to read and write? Do you want to learn more? Sign up for our unique workshops!

Aspiring Writers & Illustrators Scheme (AWIS)

Draw and write? Yes! In this programme, your child will discover the creative writer in him.

This is an intensive introduction to composition writing. Aspiring writers will also learn the art of illustrating from a professional artist.

Pri 1 to Pri 2

Young Author Scheme (YAS)

Children have a wealth of emotions. How do you draw them out? The first of its kind in Singapore, YAS trains aspiring young authors and nurtures their writing skills. Learn from veteran author Catherine Khoo!

Pri 3 to Pri 6

Young Comic Artist Scheme (YCAS)

This programme will develop your child's potential in writing his own story, not in words but in comic form.

Each child would be given a chance to improve his talent and ability in expressing himself through drawing.

Pri 3 to Pri 6

Reading into Writing

This is a unique combination of three bestselling programmes to help students understand and grasp the nuances of English.

The Reading Detective is an exciting new approach for students to read and comprehend stories and reports, predict word meanings, link ideas, and learn to question what they have read.

Pri 3 to Pri 5

For workshop schedules and other information, please contact Janus Education at: T: 63368985 E: books@catherinekhoo.sg 442A Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427655 Issue 11

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