What Happened in the Future: Poems & Stories by Imani House Kids at P.S. 282

What Happened In The Future Poems and Stories

by Imani House Kids at PS 282 Fall 2008/Spring 2009

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NY Writers Coalition Press

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What Happened In The Future Fall 2008/Spring 2009

Poems and Stories by the Imani House Kids at PS 282

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Copryright Š 2009 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 Title / Back Cover Drawing: Malcolm Brickhouse What Happened In The Future contains writing by the Fall 2008/Spring 2009 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.

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Introduction How many times have we all wished for a crystal ball? A magic ball where by simply peering into it we could catch a glimpse into the future? I usually wish for such a device when I'm about to embark into unknown territory - when I'm starting a new job, boarding an airplane, standing at a strange doorstep with my finger hovering above the doorbell. When I started leading creative writing workshops at Imani House three years ago was such occasion. I entered P.S. 282, and after a few wrong turns looking for the Imani House Program (including one that led me to the power grid for the entire school), I eventually found myself standing in a cafeteria of screaming children, the aroma of over-cooked broccoli looming large, and no crystal ball.

I could not have predicted that the young writers who would join my workshop would be so excited about writing that by the third year, eight of the fifteen writers would be kids returning from previous years. I could not have predicted that writers as young as seven years old would write, sometimes for as long as twenty-five minutes at a stretch, and still ask for more time. I could not have predicted that these writers could have voices so clear or imaginations so broad. In fact, even after three years, I can never predict what these writers will have to say, and when I think I might know what is going to happen in a workshop, that is usually when I am most surprised by the writing 5

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that transpires.

So I say to my old, nervous self, standing in the cafeteria of P.S. 282, that first September in 2006, here is a glimpse of what happened in the future.

Erin Hopkins May 2009

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WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FUTURE MALCOLM BRICKHOUSE, AGE 8 I was laughing at something funny that might happen in the future. Then I felt fur on me and that made me freeze. When I tried to walk I was frozen like ice. That was a fun thing about what happened in the future.

PREVIOUSLY CIERA KERSHAW, AGE 11 Previously Santa had come, or I thought it was Santa but really a skeleton with Santa's robes on, with his bag of gifts for me and a bunch of coal for my brothers and sisters. Previously I found out Christmas was on Halloween and Halloween on Christmas. Previously snow came a knocking on my door. Previously I woke up saying "huh? Isn't it Halloween. Previously it was Thursday and screams of excitement drilled into everyone's mind. Previously the October air filled my lungs with its icy hug. Previously that same day nightfall came with blackness throughout the passing hour and the sun shone brightly along with the darkness of the night. Previously my thoughts swiveled around. Previously I wrote this.

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OH SURPRISE ANAMARIA KUFUOR, AGE 8 It feels like paper.

Smells like honey.

Looks like an apple.

It folds like a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

(Wow it was a leaf)

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STEAK BRANDON VALENTIN, AGE 9 Steak I know one place to get the Best steak in Applebees they have A1 Steak Sauce it is so juicy when I was done I had sauce all over my face the end RIP 9

UNLUCKY TURKEY KEYANA JAMES, AGE 8 Turkey you are mine Turkey you are going to die Turkey watch yourself be careful Turkey I am serious You don't get out of here you are going to see a new home in my belly.

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MY HEART TYREKE LAFORCE, AGE 9 My heart is flying My heart is pounding My heart is a race car My heart is the revolutionary war My heart is a wrestler My heart is a football player My heart is rich My heart is red My heart is big My heart is big and full of love My heart is C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E song Yeah!

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HOT DOG AARON NATHANIEL, AGE 9

Hot dog When I am hungry I would like a hot dog so I will go out to get one and come back quickly to hear the rest of somebody's poem.

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THE MYSTERY JAMAL MITCHELL, AGE 10 It's small It's red It's tasty It's mysterious I want to know What it is?

Maybe it's corn?

Maybe licorice but in small bits Maybe bits of strawberries Maybe this will stay a mysterious thing or item I will never know

DISAPPOINTED RAVEN ELMORE, AGE 8 Feels like a push Smells like a mint Looks like wanting to punch someone hears like a grumy gru gru Taste like a rotten egg

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THE ADVENTURE JAMILA FALCONER, AGE 12 On a sunny day when the wind was blowing and everyone was at the beach, at home was Elizabeth just staring out the window watching people play.

Lucky for Elizabeth"Call me Eliza."

"I'm the narrator here anyway."

Lucky for Eliza that was not the reason she was home. She was a secret agent on a mission, "The Lost Treasure." Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep, Emergency, Emergency. Her pager rang on and off. Eliza had to hurry and get her spy clothing on.

She ran to the car. But she had a surprise in store, her car was about to blow. 5,4,3,2,1 Booom! Did Eliza make it? Did she not? You will have to find out in the continuation of "The Adventure."

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5,4,3,2,1 Boom! is where I left Elizabeth, is she okay?

"I'm fine." " kay do you ever get this right? I'm the narrator O and you're the character anyways."

Eliza was fine but now she really had to hurry so she called Dwayne to go get her jet.

1 hour later…

Eliza finally reached the island called Terror Island, not Pleasure Island, get it?

"Ha Ha Haaa. Okay so not funny."

"I’m the narrator! Do you understand that! Gosh."

Okay so like I was saying, she landed on Terror Island and that is where she was going to find the duh duh duhhhhh…. "The Lost Treasure."

So later on Eliza went inside the cave but she did not know what was coming for her. All of a sudden Boom…Boom…Boom.. Gun fire shots.

Oh no here we go again.

To be continued…

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Guns fire as Elizabeth"E…L…I…Z…A! Okay!"

"I am the narrator! Okay you don't have to shout!"

Like I said, gun fire, Eliza went into the cave, and the gun fire shots went off by Dr. Marshmallow/Skittle Man. He calls himself that because he is always hungry.

Giggles in the background.

"So I hear you are suppose to help me on my mission."

"Well yes I am," says Dr. Marshmallow Man. Ten hours later after Marshmallow Man wakes up he has a snack. Then he breaks a chair, then falls asleep again. Let's see if he wakes up.

To be continued…

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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEYANA JAMES, AGE 8 The windshield wipers go weep, weep weep they go weep, weep, weep in the afternoon they go weep, splash weep splash they go weep splash weep splash all night long

THE DONUT POEM JOSHUA ROBERTS, AGE 9 A Donut.

A Ball.

My finger.

My leg.

An apple.

A circle.

A head.

A cereal.

A heart.

An animal.

The planet earth.

A hot dog.

Soda.

A half eaten donut.

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WHAT I BELIEVE AND WHAT I DON'T KAYLA BAPTISTE, AGE 8 I believe in Raven.

I don't believe in myself.

I believe I am a psycho.

I don't believe in Anya.

I don't believe in the letters that are not in my name.

I believe in friends not bad friends who don't smack you up side the head I believe in food and drinks I don't believe in some people I believe in the law

DAVID DAVID SANCHEZ, AGE 11 Delightful Artistic Valuable Intelligent Descriptive

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A CAT THAT MOVED SOME ROLLER SKATES JAMAL MITCHELL, AGE 10 Once there was a cat that was put in a pound. The cat stayed at the pound for one year. On January 1, 2000 it was New Years and at the pound it was the day for the pets to leave. Hundreds of people popped past the doors looking for the pet that they wanted. Half of the owners were looking for a cat.

An eleven year old kid found the cat he wanted then took it home.

After four days the cat was ready to be trained.

The cat had learned many tricks during training like jumping over hoops and wheels. After two hours of training and tricks it was time for the cat to nap. When the cat woke up, no one was in the house. The cat went upstairs, no one was there.

The cat went downstairs and no one was there. The cat was tired after walking up and down. So now the cat's last stop was the attic. The attic door was open and the cat walked in. There were thousands of yarn balls, but one pair of red, white and blue roller skates. As the roller skates stood in the corner of the attic, the cat was gazing. The cat stood still and continued to gaze. While gazing the cat took a few steps closer to the roller skates. The cat pushed his hand out to touch the roller skates. The cat touched the roller skates then pushed them out of the corner and started to play with them. The cat 19

pushed them out of the attic and down the stairs.

Boom. The skates hit the floor. The boy came back and found his old roller skates on the floor and the cat on the stairs. The cat went back up the stairs and found more roller skates and pushed them down the stairs. The boy ran up, got the cat and put it back in the pound.

CAKEY BRANDON VALENTIN, AGE 9 Cake so fluffy like a pillow The sprinkles as crunchy as a peanut Ice cream so smooth I just want to stuff my hand in the cake Remember eat cake Cake cake cake I love cake so sweet Ice Cream so smooooooooooooooth yeah

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A POEM IS AVERY SMITH, AGE 9 A poem is like the heartbeat of a drum A poem is and can be as short as a thumb A poem is the last snowflake that falls in the sky A poem is another way to say "hi" A poem is something we make Almost like an ice cream cake A poem is not a lie A poem is something that makes you cry A poem is something long or short A poem is like a sport A poem is a way to send love A poem is an angel from above A poem is a huge smile A poem is not denial A poem is a disease A poem is a grade so low, you can say it was a Z

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SNOW DAY NEWTON HINDS, AGE 10 On Monday March 1, 2009 I slept late. When I woke up I realized that I had to go to school. I walked into the kitchen and I see my mom and sisters eating cereal. I say "What about school," my sister says "It's a snow day." I look outside and jump for joy.

I thought we (my family) were going to go outside and play in the snow. It turns out no. I was just going to my grandpa’s house. We were going outside but not to play. This was the worst snow day ever.

DEAR BROWNIE & TEA ANAMARIA KUFUOR, AGE 8 Dear Brownie & Tea, Both of you are delicious, but the brownie is sweeter. I love you too tea. I love the way both of you never separate. Please listen to me now because I might eat you when I get home.

Sincerely, The person who loves you! hearts xoxo 22

KATIE MY STUFFED ANIMAL RAVEN ELMORE, AGE 8 I love her she is a LPS bunny.

I even watch T.V. with her.

Our favorite show is What I Like About You I am her human mother I love her very much

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40 FOODS JAMAL MITCHELL, AGE 10 1 rice 2 chicken 3 turkey 4 cake 5 potatoes 6 ham 7 cheese 8 hot dog 9 hamburger 10 cheeseburger 11 lobster 12 crab 13 shrimp 14 Latin dumpling 15 Chinese dumpling 16 seaweed 17 bacon 18 egg 19 corn 20 string beans 21 stuffing 22 beans 23 Latin beans 24 Chinese beans 25 Pizza 26 Pie 27 Chilli 28 Corn Dog 24

29 French Fries 30 Steak 31 Bread 32 Fish 33 Chicken Wings 34 Drumsticks 35 Veggies 36 Veggie Burgers 37 Corn Beef 38 Beef 39 Bagel 40 Yams

SNOW JOSHUA ROBERTS, AGE 9 On a snowy day it was cold. I watched a cartoon on Cartoon Network called Dora the Monkey and Explorer. Then I saw A Dog In A Hat. A dog version of Cat in the Hat. Then watched the ape for three hours, also called Ape Goes Wild On King Kong. After I thought about Barneyzilla vs.

Godzilla vs. Dora vs. Boots. vs. the Big Bad Wolf vs. The Three Little Pigs.

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I BELIEVE / I DON’T BELIEVE AVERY SMITH, AGE 9 I believe in…

Barack Obama The tooth fairy Money Life Homes Normal People (Straight or Gay) Santa Claus Ghost Chicken Wings Pop Tarts Elmo Cookie Monster Big Bird Snuffie Sesame Street I don't believe in…

Oprah Suicide Bombers Segregation Cheese Certain People can be quiet Divas Boogie Man Chucky Chuck Norris 26

Chuck Lee McSusan Bob Junie B. Jones Boby McBrian Segregation Taxes Monkeys Immortals Gods Pens Erasable Pens Wood Clouds Super Heroes Magic Warlock Naruto Fire Elements Music Pixies Pirates Solar Systems Milk Fire Cake Parties Music Imagination Danger Lasers

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HAPPY LAND KEYANA JAMES, AGE 8 When I am happy I'm in teddy land a land where AJ and Star Light met and became best friends but then AJ got married with Victoria Secret and Star Light got jealous and she started a fight with Victoria Secret. Star Light was very mad so she smacked Victoria in the face and Victoria got divorced with AJ and then Star Light kissed AJ and AJ and Star Light got married and had two children called Billy and Jennifer.

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THE ADVENTURES OF POMEGRANATE SEED MAN CIERA KERSHAW, AGE 11 In the midnight hour of Fruit Bowl, located on the tabletop, then take a left turn on the faucet. Our hero Pomegranate Seed Man just finished his daily job of deviating yet again the evil forces of the Spoiled Bananas, a group of evil rotten fruits.

Later that day Pomegranate Seed Man was patrolling the "bowl" AKA the streets of Fruit Bowl, then he spotted a Rotten Fruit called Orange Peel. He was recklessly driving. Can you believe that? While Orange Peel was driving Mrs. Grape, a sweet little old citizen who lives down the road, was walking across the street but just then Orange Peel was just about to hit her but we turned on West Strawberry Street and so Pomegranate Man saved the day.

PEOPLE AND ANIMALS ON CAT HARBOR TYREKE LAFORCE, AGE 9 The city fog on Cat Harbor moves and a wrestler comes with tiger haunches looking silent over the sea then comes feet on steps

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A HARMONICA WHO LOST A GIRL AVERY SMITH, AGE 9 One day a harmonica was walking down the block with his very own human. As he was walking, the girl was singing "A bear went over a mountain, a bear went over a mountain, a bear went over a mountain and what do you think he saw?"

The harmonica became irritated. He did not treat the girl fairly when he said, "Shut Up. Silence this nonsense and walk quietly. We are almost at the fair and you are making me look bad!"

The girl became angry, then she said, "Ya know what, I don't need you telling me how to love. If you stop thinking about yourself for a minute maybe I might appreciate you more."

"You know what I don't need you, I have tried going solo," said the harmonica.

"Oh ya, how'd that work out?" asked the girl.

"Um. That's not your business?" said the harmonica.

"I take it not well?" said the girl.

The two went back and forth until they went home. The next day, the harmonica began thinking of ways to humiliate the girl. But his plan was 30

ruined when he learned she was gone!"

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" screamed the harmonica. Then he spent his day alone. But at dinner time there was a problem. Nobody cooked for him. Then he screamed, "I miss the girl ahhahaha," so he began looking for her. But he failed. Then he put up posters.

Nothing. He searched every place he knew. Then he collapsed.

Then one day, this friend Cathy Clarinet came by and said, "Harry Harmonica, Harry Harmonica I found her!"

The Harmonica jumped up and said, "Where?"

The clarinet showed him to a music studio and he saw the girl on the balcony. He walked behind her and said, "I’m sorry. I shouldn't have said those things to you and I need you back. Can you forgive me?"

The girl turned. She glared and said, "No." "I'll give you whatever you want," said the harmonica.

The girl smiled and said yes. And from that day on, the two never fought again.

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FIRE MAN CHRONICLES CIERA KERSHAW, AGE 11 Once upon a time in a distant place called Manhattan, a brave man that was on fire found a set of magic coins. But before I tell you this story I have to tell you how he came to be on fire. Way back when or maybe just a few weeks ago, I forgot, but when ever it was, it involved a monkey and a spicy, hot sauce marinated, chicken wing and this is how it happened. It was a regular day and Bob was walking home from his job at Billy Bob's games. Then on his way back he got hungry.

"Man I'm hungry maybe I'll eat some donuts, no wait maybe chicken wings or better yet chicken wings and donuts.� He walks into this food place called Chicken and Donuts Express.

"Welcome to Chicken and Donuts Express, what can I get you Sir?" "Well I want some chicken and some donuts."

"Alrighty but what kind of chicken you want?

Plain, mild, spicy, or the hottest most tastiest and spiciest chicken the spicy, hot sauce marinated chicken wing galore."

"I'll take that last one."

"Alright. I'll give a bucket of the spicy, hot sauce 32

marinated chicken wings with some donuts in the side."

"Come right up."

Okay, so now Bob had his chicken wings and donuts and it just happened that now he's on fire but he doesn't feel it. So off he goes walking down Broadway and Wall Street when this evil looking thing came up to him and said, "Hi sir, would you like to buy a box or boxes of fireside cookies?"

Bob, not knowing what to do screamed in fear, running as fast as he could. But the little fireside girl was trailing behind laughing menacingly and singing in a rather jolly tune.

"I will get you, I will get you and you will buy my cookies la-la-la."

So now "Fire Man" is on the run but he renders himself to the jaws of Loony Tunes characters named Bugs Bunny and Road Runner and Daffy Duck.

"Hey what do you know that guys on fire, doc."

"That despicable, someone else always wants to be the star of the show.�

Road Runner is busy running after Fire Man because Little Suzie (aka the Fireside Girl) is Road Runner now. This takes an unexpected twist only 33

a few miles into the chase since the Looney Tunes characters are jealous. Fire Man and Suzie got booted off the show and found themselves spiraling into the Star Wars trilogy in an epic battle between good and evil or between Fire Man and Little Suzie. Suzie exclaims, “Luke, I am your father.”

“Hold on sista my name is Bob and second, you’re a girl, and third of all-” “Hey look—coins.”

Then he woke up but he was still on fire and Little Suzie was laughing menacingly while eating a cookie?

ODE TO FALL DAVID SANCHEZ, AGE 11 Ode to Fall Yes ode to fall Man, I wish I can have it all.

You're so great all the time I just wish you’re mine!

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MY FISH THAT GOES BUCK WILD MALCOLM BRICKHOUSE, AGE 8 1 My fish that got beat up by a baby 2 My fish that kiss my other fish 3 My fish that shoot me with a bazooka 4 My fish that doo doos every time it turns on my TV 5 My fish that head butted a piranha 6 My fish was smoking and it blew up

MY BIRTHDAY KAYLA BAPTISTE, AGE 8 On my birthday I had hot chocolate after school. It smelled so good I wish I would have two cups of hot chocolate but I had to share with my sister and brother. The next day I had a party with corn bread, macaroni, cheese sticks and chicken, Reese’s. It was so good. I wish I could have that party every day after school it was so fun and I had all my family with me at the time. I saw all my cousins. We went to my cousin’s house that lives two floors up from me. She has a lot of games and space for us to play and we ate our food upstairs and we ate good food.

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WORDS THAT ARE COMBINED TOGETHER TYREKE LAFORCE, AGE 9 I earn money in the bank. The earth is round. My head is all around. In China they had an earthquake. It was East of the Great Wall of China.

The math test was so easy, so then I went to eat.

I heard an echo in the street. It's so crazy today I told them to put my chicken on the edge but there's just some people that don't understand.

I got an education so after that I ate bacon, egg and cheese on a roll.

And today is my birthday and I just turned 8.

Either of my friends could not decide what food should they eat and I just said hurry pick. But they were so slow that I just walked out and they got so mad that they said they’re not my friends anymore so I said fine I'll just make new ones, and after that I did make new ones.

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UNTITLED MALCOLM BRICKHOUSE, AGE 8 My mom makes cookies and gives it to Santa.

She gives him 10 cookies every year.

She gives him cookies after I go to sleep.

And when I wake up there is only one cookie left.

A TURTLE WHO DISCOVERED A CUP OF HOT CHOCOLATE ANAMARIA KUFUOR, AGE 8 There was a turtle who was in the woods, and smelled something good. He took a sniff and saw smoke coming out of the bush. He looked inside and made a sigh because that was his friend cooking bacon. There was another thing that smelled so sweet it was coming out from a thrown away doll house. He looked inside but the door was too big so he smashed it all up. He saw a cup with brown stuff in it. His old friend came and the turtle asked him what this is. His old friend the monkey said it's hot chocolate, taste it, it is good.

The turtle tasted it and loved it. He started jumping around like crazy. His tongue started burning. He screamed really loud. The turtle took thirteen gulps, that's how the turtle discovered hot chocolate.

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MILKSHAKES DAVID SANCHEZ, AGE 11 Milkshakes are the best food.

It's so good.

I wish I can ask for another If I could!

Milkshakes taste sweet and delicious I wonder how they make it, it's so suspicious.

It tastes so creamy Also very gleamy It's usually brown, pink and white It's a wonderful sight.

WAITING BRANDON VALENTIN, AGE 9 Waiting for some ladies Waiting for some money Waiting for my butt to take a dump I'm waiting for a hobo Waiting for soda Waiting for Prince to come to my house Waiting for baseball season to begin Waiting for Barney to die Waiting for my big butt to come

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A MOUSE THAT DISCOVERED A CUP OF HOT CHOCOLATE RAVEN ELMORE, AGE 8 One day a mouse named Emily in mouse world she found a little cup of hot chocolate with steam coming out of it. She wanted to have a bagel and bacon. She asked her friend Ana that worked at the breakfast store what was in the cup Ana said it is hot chocolate. She took a sip of the hot chocolate she said this is delicious and drank all of it. Emily wanted to know where the hot chocolate was so she said to Ana if you tell me where the hot chocolate was I will let you come to my house for a movie and pizza . Ana said okay but Emily wanted to know when she was coming. She said you could come at 8:00.When it was 8:00 they had pizza and hot chocolate and they watched High School Musical 3 and at the part when Gabriella went to another school Ana and Emily said aww and cried. When it was done they fell fast asleep.

THE END

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UNTITLED JOSHUA ROBERTS, AGE 9 The little cat's haunches moves over the rock.

The fog on Harbor street.

Looking at my feet pointing to the city silently it moved.

It comes closer.

It sits on and on.

WHAT I LOVE KAYLA BAPTISTE, AGE 8 McDonalds you are good you make me feel good when I eat you you melt in my mouth When I unwrap you and smell you I can't put you back in the bag.

You are my hero and I love you.

Everybody loves you.

You taste so good you make me say baby baby because you blow my mind ya ya.

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Acknowledgements Many people have worked so hard to make this workshop and book a success. Thank you to our partners at Imani House: Program Director Akua Ishangi and Group Leader Alicia McGeachy. Also thanks to Nancy Weber and Aaron Zimmerman at NY Writers Coalition for your continued support.

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$5.00 Kayla Baptiste Malcolm Brickhouse Raven Elmore Jamila Falconer Newton Hinds Keyana James Ciera Kershaw Annamaria Kufour Tyreke Laforce Jamal Mitchell Aaron Nathaniel Joshua Roberts David Sanchez Avery Smith Brandon Valentin

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