Imagination and the Unicorn are Wrestling: Poetry & Stories by the Imani House Kids at P.S. 282

Imagination and the Unicorn are Wrestling Poems and Stories by Imani House Kids at PS 282 Fall 2007/Spring 2008

ny writers coalition press 1

2

Imagination and the Unicorn are Wrestling Fall 2007/Spring 2008

Poems and Stories by the Imani House Kids at PS 282

3

Copryright Š 2008 NY Writers Coalition Inc. Upon publication, copyright to individual works returns to the authors.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Editors: Erin Hopkins, Nancy L. Weber Layout: Nancy L. Weber Drawings: Imani House Kids Covers: Jasmine Garnett and Diamond Romulus Imagination and the Unicorn are Wrestling contains writing by the Fall 2007/ Spring 2008 members of the NY Writers Coalition creative writing workshops conducted at PS 282 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The workshops are part of the Imani House after-school program, which provides cultural activities and educational support to youth in the community.

NY Writers Coalition Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides free and low-cost creative writing workshops throughout New York City for people from groups that have been historically deprived of voice in our society. For more information about NY Writers Coalition Inc.: NY Writers Coalition Inc. 80 Hanson Place, #603 Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 398-2883 info@nywriterscoalition.org www.nywriterscoalition.org Imani House, Inc. (IHI) is a community based multi-cultural organization that provides programs, services and hope to many immigrants, youth and lowincome residents of the area. For more information about Imani House, visit www.imanihouse.org or e-mail imani@imanihouse.org.

4

Introduction This spring I have taken to baking bread. Almost every Saturday I’ve found myself at the kitchen table covered with flour, kneading dough.

Patiently I press my palms into the dough, gently coaxing the glutinous fibers to be just a little bit longer. It’s kind of tedious. Usually, my arms get tired. But after I take a break, perhaps go for a bike ride, and come back to find my dough has doubled in size, every time I’m delighted. And the final product, hot out of the oven, seems so much more that the sum of its parts. Needless to say next week I’m back again at the kitchen table, kneading dough.

As I sit down and try to find the right words to describe what exactly happened each Friday afternoon I spent with the creative writers at Imani House’s after-school program at P.S. 282, I find my mind wandering back to that almost magical transformation of flour, water and yeast into an elastic and billowing loaf of bread. Each week they stretched their imaginations a little further. Their ideas became more creative and more expressive.

This book is a celebration of their journey and growth. They had a lot of fun, but it was hard work. At time, it was tedious. Sometimes, their arms got tired. But we are left with 19 beautiful and expansive imaginations and a book I hope you will find as satisfying as a loaf of hot homemade bread.

5

5

This workshop could never have been such a success without the support of so many people. At Imani House thank you Program Director Akua Ishangi, and Group Leader Bob Acevedo. “Mr. Bob” was there with us every week writing and helping the workshop run in so many ways. Nancy Weber thank you for the countless thoughtful hours you put into this book . Your patience is a blessing. Thank you Aaron Zimmerman for your continued commitment to all our workshops. We couldn’t do it without you.

Erin Hopkins May 2008

6

IMAGINATION AND THE UNICORN JASMINE GARNETT, AGE 9 The imagination and the unicorn are wrestling.

This was at the wrestling match. After the fight the unicorn won. And the imagination was never seen again.

7

MEDEOR BLUE AVERY SMITH, AGE 8 The fight between Medeor Blue and Mega Freak was beginning. Mega Freak jumps on the ground and judo kicks Medeor Blue. But neither of them know that under ground was a cannon. So quick Medeor Blue was left flying like a rocket and he crashes into a cannon. He didn’t see the cannon so he was blasted to the moon. BOOM!!! Medeor Blue crashed into the unknown planet. He gets up but plops back down and faints. But when he woke up he was surrounded by aliens. He gets shaky with fear and is put in an amazing mansion. “This will be your home,” says one of the aliens. Medeor Blue searched around to see if there was a jacuzzi.

But quick the aliens took a remote and out came the pool and jacuzzi. He dove right in to gather his energy. He needed it for the next time he saw Mega Freak.

To Be Continued…

8

THIEF DAVID NDUKA, AGE 8 I have stole you candy that fell from the sky And which you were going to save for you children I’m so sorry I fed them to baby wolves

9

UNTITLED DAVID NDUKA, AGE 8 There was a rat And an old man named Dat They both were shot by a monkey And when they went to heaven they met a donkey The donkey got sad And the old man got mad The donkey said they were not succeeding Because they were awfully bleeding

IF I DID NOT HAVE A BRAIN JANIYA BROWN, AGE 7 Dear Brain, If I did not have you I would not be smart and would not know 2+2 is 4 or 5+5. Thank you Brain.

I LOVE YOU BRAIN From, Janiya

10

MARSHMALLOW CAMP NEWTON HINDS, AGE 9 1. Put your marshmallows on a stick and use them as a Q-tip 2. Squish it and put it in your hair for hair gel 3. Buy it from Staples as an eraser 4. It’s white like a seashell

I AM SPRING RAVEN ELMORE, AGE 8 I am spring when we jog When it is green and blue When we go to the park When birds come out When we eat ice cream and icees.

DEAR BRAIN CHISOM IBEH, AGE 9 Dear Brain, I really want to know if you can help me with the New York State Math Exam. I don’t like when we have to show your work so I need you to help me to solve all the problems. I really want to go to the best Jr. High is New York.

Sincerely, Chisom Ibeh 11

FLABBERGASTED ELIJAH WASHINGTON, AGE 8 Flabbergasted smells like a sensation Sees like a sensational face Acts like a shiny touch

JUMP OFF A BUILDING JASMINE SUTHERLAND, AGE ?

I jumped off a building I broke my leg I jumped off a building My cat flew away I jumped off a building My dog said Hey I jumped off a building My brother fell dead I jumped off a building Joshua said Hey 12

LIES JAMAL MITCHELL, AGE 9 Monkeys kill themselves Dogs Eat Dogs Kids eat their mom and dad Birds die by jumping off buildings Trains in bedrooms Hearts blow up Ice cream can freeze you

THANK YOU BLACKIE JASMINE SUTHERLAND, AGE 11 Thank you Blackie for pulling me Thank you Blackie for barking at me Thank you Blackie for pushing me Thank you Blackie for smacking me Thanks

13

MY RECIPE (MONSTER SOUP) DAVID SANCHEZ, AGE 10 1. Get a giant bowl 2. Put 10 gallons of Dracula’s blood 3. Put fire that is 150 degrees F 4. Add 72 bats that are alive!

5. After that put 4 liters of donkey’s drool 6. Chop 2 dragons and gryphons into 600 pieces each and put in the bowl!

7. 570 cyclop’s eyes 8. Put 120 pythons in the bowl 9. Put a Minotaur’s boogers in the bowl Heat it to 140 degrees F, and there’s your recipe!

14

DEAR 2008 CHARLES SANCHEZ, AGE 10 Dear 2008, I know it’s the beginning of the year but this sucks, everybody is still bothering me. The air that you bring to us smells like dog breath. You’re making Auntie Grace smell like her rotten eggs Spiderman for lunch which she calls the Spider Supermos. You’re making my worst computer teacher, Mr. Ratner, who I call Mr. Rat, look paler and ugly and differently ugly and mean, and don’t forget fatter each day. This boy in my class is so fat that he’s past the scale and the charts. He never gets an appetite, he might eat his wife or girlfriend and put hot sauce and tomatoes, if he gets one, I doubt that.

Sincerely by, Charles Sanchez

15

UNTITLED DIAMOND ROMULUS, AGE 10 Love is a violet that says welcome and sometimes a vivid black that says stay out Love is a breeding fox that says hello Love is the beating of a heart Love is winter, that welcomes the new year Love is sweet as candy that soothes your sweet tooth Love is morning when you start a fresh lovely day Love is a warm waffle drowned in soft syrup Love is mommy’s gentle hug

16

THINGS ABOUT ME JOSHUA DELANEY, AGE 11 Jobs, Joyful, Jonsbo Observe, Over, Oven Seahorses, Sneakers, She Hello, Her, Hip-Hop Umbrella, Unity Animals, Anteater, About

ME TANZANIA COLEMAN, AGE 10 Talk Amazing Nice Zingerful All for one Nappy headed All about moi

UNTITLED KAYLA BAPTISTE, AGE 7 The ice cream was too cold for me. My friend it was too cold for her too. I left it there for awhile but it melted. I went to get the ice cream. It was not too cold or too hot it was just right. I ate it up it was delicious. I got ice cream after yesterday. It was delicious too.

17

UNTITLED BRANDON VALENTIN, AGE 8 I imagine the asparagus as the point of the Empire State Building And it looks like plankton And it looks like a wand And a finger And a stick And a DS stick And it looks like a pole And it looks like antennae

CATCHING A BALL NAJA YOUNG, AGE 7 I Naja Young am the absolute expert on catching a ball. All you do is take your hand in the air and catch the darn thing. Duh.

I AM SPRING JOSHUA ROBERTS, AGE 9 I am Spring I have lots of blooms It’s very hot, you go to the pool when it’s Spring There’s bees and birds coming out There’s icees and ice cream It’s green

18

THE RACE JASMINE GARNETT, AGE 9 The cab challenged the race horse to a race. This was in Washington D.C. The horse won the race, also the horse got a picture taken and got a medal and the horses face was all on the news papers.

The taxi driver was sad so nobody saw him again.

19

MAGIC BOX DIAMOND ROMULUS, AGE 10 I will put into the box‌ A magical world, where women rule, and have loyal Kings, and own men slaves I will put into the box, my knight and shining armor, his noble steed, his golden scepter, in which he used to slay the monster that guards me and maybe, true love’s first kiss I will put into the box, my happy place, where I go in my dreams A perfect world, in which I would never leave I will put into the box, a perfect me, and a world of peace

20

MEDEOR BLUE (PART II) AVERY SMITH, AGE 8 Last time we met Medeor Blue crash landed on an unknown planet. But this is the continuation.

Medeor Blue gets out of the jacuzzi and searched for a beach with a restaurant and dessert shop. He looked outside and there it was. A beach with a restaurant and dessert shop. He goes on to the beach and has something to eat and got a triple ice cream sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Then all around his body turns blue as can be and starts changing colors. He thanks the aliens for all the things they have done for him and he steps on the beach with a serious face and he blasts himself to find Mega Freak to destroy him for good.

A.K.A. his evil brother.

To Be Continued‌

EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT STARS JORDON DIAMOND, AGE 8 Stars are gas Stars are wild, bright Come out at night Look pretty There are millions of stars Little stars big stars

21

YOU CAN’T SEE ANYTHING JANIYA BROWN, AGE 7 You can’t see your nose because it’s too high and it’s close to your eyes But you still can’t see it

A MOUSE THAT BROKE A RING RAVEN ELMORE, AGE 8 One day Chris the mouse found a ring. Then an enemy was trying to get the ring. Then he got his bat and when he was trying to hit the enemy he hit the ring and it was broken. Then he cried and cried. Then when he saw his enemy he said, “Get me a new ring for my wife and I will forgive you.”

STARS KAYLA ODOM, AGE 10 Shine The stars form constellations, telescopes At night time Really bright and interesting to see Slaves used the stars constellation “The Drinking Gourd” as a symbol for escaping

22

I’M SORRY CHISOM IBEH, AGE 9 I ate all the ice pops that were in the cooler And you were saving that for summer Please forgive me they were so juicy sweet and so cold

THINGS I DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO ELIJAH WASHINGTON, AGE 8 1. jack a mouse 2. eat a lion 3. use a saw 4. jump off a baseball 5. eat a bear 6. kill a tiger 7. watch an octopus kill 8. jump off the Empire State Building 9. be an acrobat 10. be another person 11. be a rat 12. ride a Cheetah 13. fly 14. jump off a kite 15. be a kangaroo

23

MONEY AND LEPRECHAUNS DAVID NDUKA, AGE 8 I really really like the color green because it is interesting and it is the color of money and leprechauns and it makes me feel calm and quiet.

When I was little the first color I learned was green but the first word I learned was hi. When I was little I loved the word hi. I said it all the time.

I love the show Pokemon. It tells me all of the new Pokemon and I really really enjoy watching it.

I AM NEWTON HINDS, AGE 9 I am a leader I am wise My eyes are always on the prize I try to do my best And I don’t stand for less I stand for peace I will not rest Until I get peace From east to west I am a leader I am busy as a bee Just look around and you will see I know I have this call Justice is for all 24

A CAT THAT FEARED A PINEAPPLE KAYLA ODOM, AGE 10 It was a rainy day. Keitha flopped on the sofa. She turned on the TV. She looked to the left of her.

"Well what are you looking at," Keitha said.

"Meow," the cat said while running away. The cat went into the kitchen and saw a big huge pineapple sitting on the counter. The cat stared then ran away. He then came back to look at the pineapple.

He gazed at it for a long time. "Thump, Thump, Thump," Keitha's foot steps were on the way. It didn't matter to the cat he still gazed at the pineapple. "Get out," Keitha said. Then he looked at the pineapple. "Meow," the cat said he ran away he then came back and found Keitha take the pineapple. "Well if you don't scat I'll throw this pineapple at your head," Keitha said. The cat ran into the living room. He hid behind the sofa.

Keitha then walked in, the cat was petrified.

Keitha then sat down. "Meowww," the cat jumped on Keitha's head and scratched her and bit her. The cat jumped on Keitha's lap and said, "I'm sorry but the pineapple scared me, I feared it." The cat then ran away. .

25

WHAT I WANT DAVID SANCHEZ, AGE 10 Dear Santa, What I want is‌ 10. billion dollars 9. video games 8. pairs of shoes 7. gemstones 6. cats and dogs 5. giant robots 4. jelly beans 3. dinosaur eggs 2. new cars and 1. giant mansion!

26

HALLOWEEN FAVORITE MIX WICK JOSHUA DELANEY, AGE 11 1 pound of booger 5 teaspoons of earwax 20 eyeballs 5 tongues 2 big toes 1 spoon chicken with blood No sugar Last but not least doodoo and peepee That’s how you make Halloween Favorite Mix Wick By: Mr. Delaney Jr or Lionel Jr and Delaney Boy Step 1: You have to put all of the ingredients in the bowl Step 2: Bake it and it is going to bake at 20°F

27

THE SQUIRREL AND SOCCER BALL CHARLES SANCHEZ, AGE 10 Scene 1: “La, La La, La La,” Punch “Hey why did you trip me? Waaaahhh,” cried the squirrel.

“Yo Max pass the ball,” said his squirrel friend.

“Wait,” said Max eagerly. “First, let me just beat up this ball.” Ya, punch.

“Ow,” said the ball Duel.

“I’ll say,” said a hot lady in a perky voice.

“Cut,” said Max. “Could you please not say it in a perky voice?”

1…2…3… fight, fight, fight.

“Speedash,” said the ball.

“Flame on,” said Max.

28

29

BEING A MODEL NAJA YOUNG, AGE 7 I know how to be a model. You turn left, right, then left and you smile… and then you turn right again and pose.

A TEACHER WHO DROPPED A LANTERN KAYLA BAPTISTE, AGE 7 Today the teacher dropped a lantern. The kids said you dropped the lantern. She picked up the lantern.

But it broke into five pieces. She was crying that her lantern broke. Everybody was feeling sad for her. They went to buy her a new lantern. But they did not give it to her until the end of the day. The rest of the day she was sad finally she stopped crying because they gave her the lantern. The End.

THINGS I CAN’T DO BRANDON VALENTIN, AGE 8 The thing I do not know how to do is fight a meteor shower. If I fought a meteor I would explode into pieces and if I fought a bear he would eat me alive.

30

THE PEARS RAVEN ELMORE, AGE 8 I like pears I ate them I am so sorry pears, not really You are so delicious I wish you were my friend.

A FEW REASONS WHY WRITING IS DIFFICULT JASMINE GARNETT, AGE 9 Writing is…

Like a tiger roaring.

Writing is…

A blue color in the sky.

Writing is…

A person kicking a soccer ball into the goal.

Writing is…

Like a tiger writing script in Washington D.C. Writing is…

A saxophone playing in a jazz concert Writing is…

Like a perfume that smells like a rose.

31

A MAGICIAN WHO PUT TOGETHER SOME ROLLER SKATES CHISOM IBEH, AGE 9 Once upon a time there was a Magician who was in the circus. His name was Skinky. But you can call him Skin. Skinky had a friend named Waffles.

Waffles was also a magician. Waffles said, “Let’s play a game!”

“What should we play?” asked Skinky. Waffles had an idea before he saw the pair of roller skates.

“I know!” yelled Waffles. “Find It, then Repair It. The thing you have to do is find the roller skates and it will be apart then you have to repair it. 1…

2…3…Go!” Skinky got the glue and glued everything. But when Skinky was finished: Where was Waffles?

Skinky was crying and weeping. “Waffles where are you?” Skinky questioned. Skinky checked the hay stack, Waffles wasn’t there. Skinky said, “Waffles’ favorite place to hide is the….”

An old man with a beard the size of an elephant trunk kidnapped Skinky! But Skinky had to do a show with Waffles, but Waffles was missing, then a man older than your mama kidnapped Skinky.

Skinky said, “Let go of me because I got to go to a show with Waffles but Waffles got kidnapped and you kidnapped me for a reason.”

32

“Don’t worry about Waffles because I got him,” said the old man. “Guards, bring out the prisoner,” the old man screamed. There was Waffles all lonely and sleepy.

Skinky said, “Why did you kidnap us?”

“I will tell you,” said the old man. “The roller skates were mine, when Waffles stole it from me. I will never forget this day! Can you please give me back my roller skates?”

Skinky said, “Okay, fine!”

“Thank you,” the man yelled.

When he got his skates he let them free and they were in time for the circus act.

The End!!!

33

MEETING FRIENDS TANZANIA COLEMAN, AGE 10 The day I met my best friend. Her name is Mheri.

Now me and Mheri are close friends. We call ourselves cousins. I met her in 2005 going into 2006. We went on cruise tours and saw each other.

Then in the beginning of 4th grade we met each other. The reason why Mheri and I are Best, Best friends because we have a lot of things in common they are…

1: We both like the color green 2: We’re both in the same grade 3: We are both friends for life That sums up everything for now. I’ve been to Mheri’s house about eighteen times. Every time we would go there we would have some food like pesto pizza, regular pizza, tacos and more stuff. I see Mheri 24/7. I see her Monday-Fridays for school and Friday and Saturday for trips or meetings in Girl Scouts. Once when I went to Mheri’s house we stayed up until 2:00 in the morning making friendship bracelets, playing uno attack, chicken limbo and eating Tacos. That night was a Friday night going into a Saturday night when we had to go into a trip that next day. Mheri and I are really close friends, every time we’re going somewhere we sometimes ask if we each can go with each other. Another time that we spent with each other was when we went to the movies 34

to see “Happy Feet.” Before the movie started I ordered a kids meal and so did Mheri. My Happy Meal came.

USEFUL DIAMONDS AVERY SMITH, AGE 8 Dear fake diamonds, Thank you for the sparkle of light you give me when I’m alone. Thank you for the change of color you make when I’m bored from your flat out boring purple color. Thank you for the extra TV’s you give me when I put you on my eye. Thank you for the glamour I got when I took you to school.

And by all means than you for the wonder, action and adventure you fill me with when I stare at you because I’m bored.

Sincerely, Your pal, Avery

ANGRY JORDON DIAMOND, AGE 8 Anger smells like steam tastes like fish hears like a person screaming for its life by the iron looks like fire feels like you just got burned 35

THANK YOU JASMINE SUTHERLAND, AGE 11 Thank you mom for my dog and cat Thank you for my move to Staten Island Thank you for letting me to be on a basketball team Thank you for my friends Thank you for My Life

MY CHIHUAHUA JORDON DIAMOND, AGE 8 My Chihuahua is small as a roach It’s teeth are sharp as a lion’s teeth Sweet as a lollipop Cute as a baby Light as sun Fast as a cheetah Soft as a pillow

36

SPIDER-MAN VS. VENOM AND CARNAGE ON TITANIC JAMAL MITCHELL, AGE 9 One night Spider-Man was sleeping and Venom was killing people. When Spider-Man woke up he went on deck. Venom flung the last person off the ship in icy cold water. Then Spider-Man punched Venom so hard we was bleeding and then Venom punched Spider-Man so hard he went flying. Then Spider-Man webbed Venom and made him go off the ship into icy cold water then Carnage broke the ship in half and dies in the water.

The End

37

THE BABY MONSTER DAVID SANCHEZ, AGE 10 Once there was a lost baby monster that wanted a cookie. Nobody would give the monster a cookie.

So the baby was mad and then it cried. One tiny drop of the monster’s tears made hurricanes. Also when it screeched it almost destroyed half of the state. Also when it stomped it made at least four earthquakes. So then the people made weapons and stabbed it, shot it and chopped it. Then the monster ran away and found his mommy. Then the monster told the mommy what the people did to it.

Then the mom was mad and then destroyed everybody. Then the mom gave the baby the cookie. Then the baby and the mom flew away.

38

WHO BABY UNLEASH JOSHUA DELANEY, AGE 11 One day BiggyWalls was down to see BiggySmalls and B.Day Biggy. They were going to a park called Cute Girls Park. So they meet these girls named Pretty, Crazygirl, and Someone.

They are all cute and fine girls. BiggySmalls liked Crazygirl and she liked him. Pretty liked B.Day and he liked her back. Someone liked BiggySmalls. But BiggySmalls and Crazygirl were married. Crazygirl got two kids. Pretty and B.DayBiggy got married and had two kids.

Someone and BiggyWall got married and had ten kids. They live happily ever after. Then one of those days the boy name BiggyWall got a stroke.

So that is the day his brother and wife got to know each other. BiggyWalls ripped at the age of 56 of cancer. So Someone got a new man named Nichols. BiggyWalls was 56, BiggySmalls was 32 and B.Day was 21.

NOT MUCH LIKE A SPRING DAY DIAMOND ROMULUS, AGE 10 Not much like a spring day, I didn’t smell much of the leaves, All I could see was the snow covered trees, And I could hear the winter breeze.

The air felt moist and my fingers numb, I could taste the snow falling into place on my tongue.

39

ASPARAGUSATION KAYLA ODOM, AGE 10 Statue of Liberty Torch Tree seedling Ink Pen from 1700’s (Feather Pen) Bendy Straw It’s weeds look like a dead flower roots breaking off from the stem Trees in the rain forest Kangaroo’s baby sticking out of it’s pouch (small triangles at top have little weeds inside of it) Seaweed fluttering in the sea Bitter vegetable Long eraser The triangles look like bullets from a jet soaring in the air Looks like hair when you rub a balloon on the rug and put it on your head

JAMAL JAMAL MITCHELL, AGE 9 Jumping when Happy A lot of toys Makes pizza A lot of games for me Little but not that much

40

MY GORGEOUS GARDEN NAJA YOUNG, AGE 7 My garden is big and beautiful. It is as colorful and big as a rainbow of all colors. I can’t wait to see it again today.

A LITTLE GIRL NAMED BILL KAYLA BAPTISTE, AGE 7 There once was a little girl named Bill Was on a hill She has a big say She can play She can act like a boy She played with her toys The End.

41

42

FOX CHOCOLATE NEWTON HINDS, AGE 9 There was a fox named Fox and he lived in a small abandoned factory. He was very poor. He took showers in an old hot tub that was left out back. Workers used it to take 20 minute breaks there and now that’s where he showers. His only food to live on was hot chocolate! Since he had been living there he got used to it. He used the water from the hot tub. One day he decided to get just a little bit wealthy to stay alive. He was too old to hunt for prey. He decided to make his own hot chocolate business.

One day Kay O Tay’s twin brother shows up at the factory. Fox says “Who are you?”

“I’m Kay O Cool. I have a twin brother named Kay O Tay. I used to work at the factory.

What are you doing?”

“I am planning to open this factory.”

“What are you going to do when you’re done with that?”

“Make my own hot chocolate business.”

“I still know some of the guys who work here.”

“Let’s get crackin’.”

43

THANK YOU TANZANIA COLEMAN, AGE 10 Thank you God for waking me up this morning Thank you for letting me have a place to stay Thank you for letting me have friends Thank you for my mom and others Thank you for letting me have a place to go to school Thank you for letting me have clothes to wear Thank you for the teachers I have Thank you for my two coats Thank you for the food and snacks I have Thank you for my education and knowledge Thank you for every thing

CARS JAMAL MITCHELL, AGE 9 Coming and passing A lot of gas Running motors Speed in some cars

44

KIDS THAT ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE A CAR JANIYA BROWN, AGE 7 If you are 7,6,5,8,9 or another age you can’t drive because you are not ready to drive yet because when you turn like a grown up you have to get your driving test and your driving license and a car and keys and it is never good to drive when you don’t have your driving license because it can be dangerous for kids ‘cause when kids get older they will just take your car and when they come back with the car it is damaged and the officer will talk to your kid and go to jail. The End.

45

MY EYES ELIJAH WASHINGTON, AGE 8 Dear Eyes, You are a nice and intelligent part of my body because you let me see who is trying to hurt me or be nice. My body, for example, without my eyes could not see where I am walking, running or jumping.

MONSTER TANZANIA COLEMAN, AGE 10 My monster is very tiny. She’s very hairy and everyone says that she’s a resemblance of cookie monster. The monster is very clear and slick. She is so sweet in front of adults but you know that when she’s on her own, she’s a little tiny hair ballish devil, pig snatchin’ sassy lil’ mum! Lil’ pig droppin’ lil’ naughty thing. Her hair is spaghetti her nose is a meatball, her eyes are tiny small buttons and the rest of her is big sticks of fur. Not regular fur but goat fur in blue. My monster smells like dead fish. Monster believes she can rule anybody. But suddenly she goes to 1st grade and gets bullied. People/kids toss her around like a kickball. At recess monster saw girls in the corner playing double dutch and monster wanted to play and the girls said yes so they used monster as a rope. Monster remembered never to be rude again.

46

MEDEOR BLUE (PART III) AVERY SMITH, AGE 8 Welcome back space cadets. Last time Medeor Blue kicks back into action and goes to his arch enemy for battle. But now figure out whether or not they’re brothers. Dun Dun Duuuuuuuunnnn.

Continuation Medeor Blue was still traveling through space.

Along the way, he past our nine planets and counts them. Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, New Planet, Moon, Earth, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and finally Neptune. Once he landed he saw Mega Freak standing and waiting for him. Medeor Blue runs up in front of Mega Freak and Mega Freak simply punches him in the gut! All of a sudden blue sparks all the way from Medeor Blue come out from where he got punched. “Owe! Right in the kisser too!” Medeor Blue gets up and tries again.

But BAM instant punch. But no, Medeor Blue gets up. He zooms to Mercury in less than one second.

Mega Freak starts heading to his home village to do more destruction. So he makes and heads for it.

He hears an unusual sound from behind him. He turns around and sees a blue light. “Huh?” he said.

He started running but before he could move Medeor Blue crashed right in font of Mega Freak.

“HA HA sucker you Mi-“ but before Mega Freak could finish that horrible sentence Mega Freak blew up in Medeor Blue’s face and soon Mega Freak didn’t move for three hours and eighteen 47

seconds. “Is he dead?” Medeor Blue asked himself. He picked up one of the rocks from the explosion. Then another one, and another one, and another one and threw them directly at his groin!

“Yup.” He is straight up dead. “I’m sorry my brother,” he said. “I had to do it. Only because you were causing destruction to our home planet.” And from that century on, Medeor Blue stood by.

Waiting for anymore evil to come. He wasn’t just waiting. He was there.

THE END

48

49

50

51

$5.00

K a y l a B a p ti s t e Janiya Brown Tanzania Coleman Joshua Delaney Jordon Diamond Raven Elmore J a s m i n e G a r n e tt Newton Hinds Chisom Ibeh Jamal Mitchell David Nduka Kayla Odom Joshua Roberts Diamond Romulus Charles Sanchez David Sanchez Avery Smith Jasmine Sutherland B r a n d o n V a l e n ti n Elijah Washington Naja Young

52