Ridge Kids 2009: Poems and Stories by the Young Writers at the Brooklyn Public Library, Bay Ridge by NY Writers Coalition

s d i K e g d Ri

2009

Ridge Kids 2009

Poems and Stories by the Young Writers at the Brooklyn Public Library, Bay Ridge Branch

Editors: Barbara Cassidy, Nancy L. Weber Layout: Nancy L. Weber Photos: Barbara Cassidy Illustrations: Ridge Kids Ridge Kids contains writing by the 2008-2009 members of the NY Writers Coalition creative writing workshops for children conducted at the Brooklyn Public Library, Bay Ridge Branch. The library is an after-school sanctuary for the young people of this dynamic ethnically and culturally diverse community. NY Writers Coalition Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides free creative writing workshops for unheard New Yorkers. 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

For more information on the Brooklyn Public Library,visit www.brooklynlibrary.org.

Introduction Every Thursday when I come to the Bay Ridge Library for Ridge Kids, I have a plan for what we are going to do as writers, but quite often things don’t go the way that I intended. The room might be a little noisier than I envisioned, or the kids might get more jazzed up than I anticipated they would. I am learning a lot from the children of Ridge Kids, but one of the main things I’ve learned is that there are many different ways to stimulate creativity and different ways of being creative as writers. And while we all have our favorite styles, it’s good to try new ways, and it’s good to be open to other ways of being. As teachers and workshop leaders, we often favor styles which harbor an orderly, quiet environment, and while that may be good for some or possibly most, I’ve come to realize that there are some creative benefits to louder, more sensory writing prompts, and for some children, noisy, tactile writing prompts can set them free as writers. After what I perceived as a particularly chaotic writing session with Ridge Kids, I voiced my concern to Nancy Weber (Youth Program Director of NYWC), who was helping out in the workshop, and she said, “okay, but look at the writing that came out of this hour.” And it was true. There was some very free imaginary awesome writing that came out of that crazy hour. Writing that I venture to say would not have come out of a more orderly class. So I am learning more and more to expand my horizons. And to go crazy 5

once in a while. Going to the library and writing are two of my favorite things and I am really glad I can do both these things on Thursdays at Ridge Kids. I want to thank the folks at the Bay Ridge Branch who help make our writing group possible Yvonne, Chris, Chris, Maureen, Carl, and Joyce. And I especially want to thank Aaron, Nancy, Deborah, and Erin of the New York Writers Coalition, who are doing such wonderful work in and around New York City. They are really â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? people, saying yes we can do something to make a difference, and making me believe that I can too. I would also like to thank my assistant Sarah Dobrowolski, a talented young writer who helps our younger kids in the workshop, and the tireless Laura Hamilton, mom to Daniel Maiorana, and an invaluable asset to our group, who comes and helps the children get their words on the paper. And lastly, I want to thank the amazing writers of Ridge Kids whose work graces these pages - Rochelle, Amanda, Daniel, Violet, Meaghan, Veronica, Bridin, Sadie, Othmane, Amelia, Isabella, Isobelle, Nadean, Abigail, Bayan, Victoria, Amanda, Sade, Sharnette, Bailey, Mary Kate, Pascale, and Tristan. Thank you for letting me work with you each week and for sharing your thoughts and dreams in words with us. I know we will be hearing more from you in the future. Barbara Cassidy Summer 2009 6

SOUND NADEAN ALNAJJAR, AGE 9 I hear a cowbell, Nice and loud. I hear a cowbell, All cranky and proud. All old and cold, As proud as can be, But I still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to see. I hear a cowbell, Nice and loud. I hear a cowbell, All cranky and proud. I hear a music box, Smooth and quiet. I hear a music box, Relaxing and cautious. I hear two blocks, Rectangular now, I hear two blocks, As hard as a rock. I hear a drum, So loud, so loud. I hear a drum, Like a very gigantic crowd.

13 THINGS THAT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT ME NADEAN ALNAJJAR 1. I have a brother that plays with cars a lot. 2. I can read over 800 pages. 3. I have a teacher named Mrs. Collings. 4. My country which is Yemen has the world’s best coffee which anyone has ever tasted. 5. My favorite subject is reading. 6. I am reader of the month because I love to read. 7. I am in the after-school art enrichment program. 8. My favorite cartoon is Tom and Jerry. 9. My Science Project was called, “The Strongest of All.” 10. My favorite place is Canada and Watertown, Rome, NewYork. 11. My favorite colors are red, gold, silver, blue, and black. 12. My two favorite sports are basketball and soccer. 13. My father is on t.v. for playing soccer.

THE STORY OF MY NAME NADEAN ALNAJJAR My name is Nadean. In Arabic it is spelled ‫نادين‬ I like my name because it fits me. When I was first born , my name was not Nadean. It was Reem. My name is special because my name is spelled differently than most other names. And that’s why I like my name.

UNTITLED OR THE LIE POEM OTHMANE BENKHALIFA, AGE 6 Brooklyn is as big as a potato. Blue is as trees. My brother’s head is as big as a school. My hair is blue as the sky. My house is big as a nose. A video game is as fun as a rock star game. A bike is as fast as a scooter. A table is as big as a library. People have big heads like houses. Exit means come in. Boots are as white as snow. Pretzels are crunchy as a monkey. Every girls’ face is black as a black rose. Bananas are as squishy as baby puppies. Book bags are as big as pants. Water bottles are as small as a book. A scarf is cold as a room because my room is about one degree.

THE FOREST IN MY ROOM OTHMANE BENKHALIFA My room changes into a forest. A bear comes. He shows me his big teeth. He almost ate me but I jumped over his head. I fell into my boat. He jumped, he almost ate meâ&#x20AC;Ś But, then he fell into the water. He started swimming. Then, he knew that he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t swim. So, he drowned and died. I went back home. I ate my food, brushed my teeth and went to bed.

WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW OTHMANE BENKHALIFA They don’t know what my name is. They don’t know my Dad’s cell phone number. They don’t know where my house is. They don’t know my street number. I go to school. I was a baby. They don’t know my password to the computer. They don’t know that I got in trouble in school once for not listening. But everyday in school, I am good. They don’t know that I want a dog and a cat. They don’t know that I have a younger brother. His name is Ali and he has the same last name. They don’t know that my Mom has a different last name. They don’t know that sometimes I call my Mom Mima. They don’t know that I am reader of the month at school. They don’t know Abdullah, and my family put four dollars in the savings because they were proud of me because I was the reader of the month. They don’t know that soccer is my favorite sport. They don’t know that Jack and the Beanstalk is my favorite book. 12

They don’t know that my favorite foods are brownies and chips. They don’t know that I don’t know how to swim and I want to learn how to swim.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE BAYAN BERRI, AGE 8 Once I went on a trip to a haunted house. There were spiders everywhere, and bats flying everywhere, too. I saw fake ghosts floating around. I also saw skeletons on the floor. I saw an artist sketching the haunted house. I saw a lot of scary paintings. It was the scariest day ever!

THINGS ABOUT ME BAYAN BERRI 1. I got my glasses on Tuesday. 2. Algeria is the second largest country in Africa. 3. There are twenty-four students in my class. 4. I like math. 5. My favorite food is spaghetti. 6. My favorite color is orange. 7. My favorite place is Canada. 8. I never went to the theaters. 9. My science project was freezing waters. 10. My favorite show is Bakugan.

UNTITLED BAYAN BERRI I remember my first day of third grade. I remember my trip to Canada. I remember my trip to Boston. I remember by trip to Norfolk, Virginia. I remember when Huda Berri was born. I remember when Persephone Ambros moved to North Carolina. I remember when I had my 7 year-old birthday party. I remember when I started to pray five times a day. I remember: Hana Anah Guinivir Riviniug Nadean Racecar Damian Naimad

I WISH MEAGHAN BONDI, AGE 7 I wish: That I could fly and Bake well and Have spell books and Live at California and I will lose my teeth and Not to eat pickles. I wish I was famous.

AN EGG IN HER BASKET MEAGHAN BONDI An easter egg was in a little basket. One day the basket Fell to the ground, And she went crazy, And said she will die. A girl found it and took it home.

MY VIEW MEAGHAN BONDI I see trees out of the window. I see pictures in my mind. I see houses in the view. I see the wind blowing back and forth. I see rain coming down. I see the sky bluer than grey. I see the world around me in a perfect view. I see trees blowing in high. I see plants growing. I see plants of Mighty Tour. I see people on a ladder. I see figures with moving feet. I see the world around me, On my perfect feet. I see the buildings of New York. I feel breeze through my window. I feel so happy about what I see.

A POEM IS A POEM VERONICA BONDI, AGE 6 A poem is a kangaroo. A poem is an animal. A poem is a word with writing. A poem is a poem, A poem is a poem A poem is a poem, A poem is a poem. A poem is a thing like this: A Cute Little Snowman A cute little snowman had a carrot nose, Along came a rabbit, And what do you suppose? That hungry little bunny Looking for his lunch, Ate that little snowmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nose, Nibble, nibble, crunch. That is a poem. It is a real poem.

THE RACE VERONICA BONDI Once upon a time there was a rabbit and a duck. The duck thought that the rabbit was too slow for the duck because he ran inside a race and he won. Then, the race started. The duck against the rabbit. Who would win? The duck did not have a lot of progress because the duck was behind because he was as slow as a tortoise. The rabbit was hopping along so fast that the duck could not see him. By the time the duck caught up with the rabbit he was about two inches from the finish line. But just then, the race was called off and the rabbit did not win. The duck did because the race got called off. The duck was too slow. The wind started blowing when he was about a quarter inch from his house. Oh no! It started to snow, and the duck was so cold. The duck just made it into the house. When he was inside and had tons of blankets over him he watched t.v. Then, a tornado started. No wonder the race was called off, the duck thought, but I am safe and warm and cozy inside my house, and the wind won’t hurt me. The duck was right. A tornado and volcano came, and everyone knew that a tornado and a volcano mixed together was the worst thing. The tornado and volcano did not go on duck’s house. It went on everyone else’s house and the sidewalk. The duck was safe! The tornado swept the rabbit’s house, when the rabbit was opening the door. The rabbit then rabbit then entered the room. The room was so 18

entered the room. The room was so crooked he fell out an open window and he landed on top of duck’s house. Duck was the only one not covered in lava and not swept up in the tornado.

THE LADYBUG AND CATERPILLAR BAILEY BREARTON, AGE 7 One day a ladybug woke up at 12 o’clock and went to fly and met a caterpillar. The ladybug said, “Hi.” They liked each other. Then they went to the caterpillar’s house. They played. He lived in a leaf. It was very small. The ladybug ate it. Now they don’t have a house.

ONE NIGHT IN MY ROOM BAILEY BREARTON I went to bed and woke up and woke up. Then I heard something but it was just my turtles. I heard it again. It was just the cars. I heard it again, then it was shaped like a person. I didn’t know what it was, then I fell asleep. That morning I woke up and didn’t know where I was. But I looked outside. It had lots of lights. It reminded me of Coraline.

10 DIFFERENT THINGS THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME BAILEY BREARTON 1. I have a loose tooth. 2. My favorite colors are red, blue and white. 3. I lived in Utah. 4. I have two turtles. 5. I have ice skates. 6. I have a sister. 7. I used to have two Dachshunds. 8. I wrecked on my bike and I slid on the street. 9. I got a Webkinz on my birthday. 10. I have been in dance class since I was two.

FICTION! NIGHTMARE RECIPE AMANDA CHEN, AGE 7 1. 5 cups of bugs. 2. ½ cup of monsters. 3. 1,000 teaspoons of bats. 4. 100 teaspoons of witches. 5. ½ pots of aliens. 10,000 pots of poop. Then, stir it together. Finally, sit on it and eat it! Now you have a nightmare!!!

WHAT I REMEMBER AMANDA CHEN I remember that when my mom gave me 4 dollars, I was so happy and excited. I remember when I was swimming by myself. I remember when I met Rochelle and Isabella. I remember when I was a baby. I remember when I...was tiny. I remember when I was one. I remember when I was writing and drawing. I remember drawing. I remember when I was six. I remember the beach. I remember so much. 22

MY SISTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FAVORITE THINGS AMANDA CHEN My sister loves red and pink. She is born in 2005. She likes to eat apples. She loves to dance. She likes golden yellow. She is cute. She likes ice cream. She is Chinese. She loves rainbow. My sister loves sparkles. I love her. We love the beach.

WHAT I AM ROCHELLE CHIN, AGE 7 I am as smart as a bee. Amanda (Chen) is as nice as a family member. My hair is silky as a sea otter. My ribbons are pink as a flower. Isabella is as pretty as a butterfly. Camilla is as cute as a hamster. Meaghan is as great as a mom. I love my friends as much as a dad.

MY NAME ROCHELLE CHIN My name is Rochelle. This is how they made my name. First, they took the R from my dad’s name and they took the chelle from my mom’s names and made an O to make my name! I dislike my nickname because people call me “Roro row your boat.” Some people call my last name Chin because I have a chin. I like the name Christina because it’s almost like Christmas. But, I like my actual name though.

12 THINGS NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME ROCHELLE CHIN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

People call me and Isabella twins or sisters. I don’t like blueberry medicine. I like sucking pretzels. My favorite boy superhero is superman. I bring my tamagotchi to school. I don’t like dresses. My favorite movie is Kung Fu Panda. My favorite author is Mo Willems. I am allergic to pollen. I love flowers. My favorite cartoon is Tom and Jerry. My favorite number is 17.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S REAL MARIAM ELSAYAD, AGE 7 A ghost is not true. A tree is real. People are real. A board is real. A bike is real. Books are real. A rose is real. A face is real. Pants are real. A house is real. Lights are real. Floors are real. Hands are real. Eyes are real. Roofs are real. Hair are real. Walls are real.

POEMS MARIAM ELSAYAD A poem is blue and green. A poem is nice like a funny joke. A poem makes you feel happy. A poem makes you feel sad. A poem sounds like happiness.

DIFFERENT COLOR WINDOW MARIAM ELSAYAD I want a window to be in my room. I want a window to be in a classroom. I want a pink window in my bed. I want a rainbow window in my floor. I want a blue window my my computer. I want a window to be on my table. I want a window to be in my board.

A PRESIDENT SHARNETTE HOWELL, AGE 7 A president should take care of the neighborhood, because our neighborhood is poor. A president should tell people that they’re not lying, because it’s not good to lie. A president should always watch where they are going, They should take care of schools.

FIVE PUMPKINS Sharnette Howell The first pumpkin said, “I see witches in the air.” The second one said, “Get ready to have some fun.” The third one said “I’m a pumpkin, look at me!” The fourth one said, “I am 8 years old.” The fifth one said, “I will be scared of ghosts.”

WHAT IS A POEM ISABELLA CHIANCY HUANG, AGE 8 A poem is a bottle of marmalade. A poem is a colorful house. A poem is an age of a person. A poem lives in your brain. A poem have marriage. A poem is an adjective. A poem is your friend. A poem is a song.

FORTUNATELY ANDâ&#x20AC;Ś PREVIOUSLY ISABELLA CHIANCY HUANG Fortunately Fortunately I have one row of busy bees. One hundred days of school past. Rochelle ate a sweet heart. Thatcher is Bionic Buger Boy. Underwears used to roam the Earth. Nothing is cool. Amanda is super funny and kind. Trevor is amazingly weird. Evergreen smells nice. Lilies are flowers. Years are so long. Previously Party from last year. Realistic fiction from last time. Eating snacks and having fun. Velvet skirt with polka dots. Investigates old stuff. Ordering trees from A to Z. Unicorn flew into my room. Sun chips ate potato chip ate corn chips Light flash made light. Years went by so fast.

PRESIDENT OBAMA 11/6/08 ISABELLA CHIANCY HUANG Obama is the President 2008 Best president. African American. Man with two child. A man with loveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Obama the President

MY BUG VIOLET JENSEN-MOULTON, AGE 8 One day, I made a Ladybug Attractor. It had some leaves and dirt and rocks. But, no ladybugs came. I called a spy detective to watch the ladybugs. He watched all night. He saw the ladybugs coming, stopping, looking around and going. He thought that they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interested. Since, I was a spy myself, I watched all night. But, I knew they needed blueberries. I put blueberries in the Attractor. The next day, 1,000 ladybugs flew to their new home!

PRESIDENTS SHOULD DO VIOLET JENSEN-MOULTON Presidents should go to the White House and ride in a limousine! They should have a Vice President. They should make better schools. They should invent new shapes. They should be on coins.

PREVIOUSLY!!! VIOLET JENSEN-MOULTON Previously, the alien went to jail. It went wild!!! He exploded the jail 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000 times!! He ate the ashes. Then, Mr. Llinas yelled at him. The police yelled at him. Previously, he was a robot. Previously, he was a toilet. Previously, he was an animal. Previously, he was a human. Previously, he was a planet. Previously, he was a star. Previously, he had flown an alien ship to Earth and had a crash landing. Previously, he had done a full split. Previously, he had gone crazy!! He was crazy!!! It was getting dark and he was waking up. I exploded the building where he was sleeping. I really wanted to go to Disney World. It is my favorite place to go. Previously, I went there with my cousins and grandparents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bye, byeâ&#x20AC;? said the alien and he turned into a robot! Previously, I went to the cabin. I really wanted to go to that star. 33

A LONESOME SUNDAY PASCALE LEONE, AGE 8 On a lonesome Sunday, My Mom had left for a party. Me, my brother, and Dad Sloping along the house, Not allowed to watch T.V. Starving, nothing to eat except junk. Laying around nothing fun. After a while, we go out. Buy wine buy my toothpaste. Beg for gum, beg for tic tacs. But no. So we went back home, Dropped off the stuff. Had pizza on a lonesome Sunday.

I REMEMBER PASCALE LEONE I remember my 2nd birthday. I remember my terrible dream. I remember my odd dreams. I remember the first time my cousins I remember meeting my great aunt. I remember her doing my hair. I remember my Dad reading Harry Potter. I remember my first Irish Step. Remember remember remember.

LIES PASCALE LEONE A unicorn flew through my window. It took me downstairs. Two doors opened. A piece of paper appeared in my hand. It had a spell on it. The spell was: Take me away to a magical world, where Pegasus fly and dragons will roam. Where the temperature of the water is what you will like. But there are so many terrible fights . Just take me away please, just do that for me. Far far away I will plea and I will plea. I read that aloud and a hole appeared. The unicorn flew in. 35

I WISH TRISTAN LEONE, AGE 6 I wish Othmane could have a chocolate factory. I wish everyone could eat a chocolate factory and Turn into the letter F Except for Othmane. I wish I could eat houses. I wish Othmane could turn into a chicken. I wish Pascale would turn into a turkey. I wish Othmane could turn into a pug Webkinz. I wish Othmane could turn into Captain Underpants and The Talking Toilet.

WHAT TO DO WHILE WAITING TRISTAN LEONE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Pee pee. Look at birds. Have a snack. Take a nap. Watch t.v.. Go to store. Write a book. Cry. Drink some juice. Exercise.

I HEAR TRISTAN LEONE I hear a cowbell with a screwdriver hitting it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for the farmers to milk the cows. I see a cow. I touch a bell. I smell a cow. It would be the color black because a cow is black and white. It would be someone named Bob. I hear a drum. It sounded like someone jumping on a trampoline. I heard a music box with a ballerina moving around. I think it was the color white and pink. If it was a person, it would be Sadie. I hear music. I hear blocks clicking together. It sounded like toys getting broken.

WHAT A PRESIDENT SHOULD DO DANIEL MAIORANA, AGE 8 A President should lower bills. A President should make toys stores sell toys for free. A President should make more homeless shelters. A President should make more schools. A President should make more schools use more education. A President should let police cars drive faster to a crime scene. A President should make more medical centers. A President should also make gas cost less money. A President should stop the war. A President should be nice.

A POEM ISâ&#x20AC;Ś DANIEL MAIORANA A poem is a story that usually rhymes, but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to A poem is like a song A poem can be about something It can be about a bearded dragon or anything Anything can be a poem A poem can be about a bearded dragon jumping on your head And, about an iguana growing 6,000,000 feet long A poem is a poem The End 38

WHEN MY ANIMALS GOT UP AND TALKED DANIEL MAIORANA One day my bearded dragon, Amber and my dog, Dixie stood up and started to talk. All of a sudden, Dixie (who is my 12 year-old dog) looked young and fit. Amber was about as big as me and so was Dixie. I asked Amber, “What is it like being a bearded dragon?” Amber said, “It is fun because you get to do whatever you want. You get dessert a lot and you never get in trouble.” I asked Dixie, “What is it like to be a dog?” She said, “It is good because when you’re a puppy you get petted a lot. You don’t get to do anything you want, but you get a lot of love and massages.” We started playing tons of games: video games, regular games, all the games we have. We watched a movie, “Monsters vs. Aliens.” We ate dessert, chocolate ice cream with homemade chocolate chip cookies, whipped cream covered strawberries and chocolate covered coffee beans. Then we brushed our teeth, went to sleep. The next day we woke up and Amber looked like a human and Dixie looked like a human. We went to play baseball, together at Leif Erickson Field. Then we played basketball. Then we played football. After that we played soccer. Then we played baseball again. We called it “Sport Day.” We had a great day. We watched a movie to celebrate—Star Trek. They never turned back into animals. 39

THE FUCHSIA FLOWER BRIDIN MCCANN, AGE 8 In Spring I am just a bud Ready to bloom, very small And green hanging on to my Stem so wind won’t blow me off. Finally it’s summer, I bloomed, I’m free. Now I’m pink and beautiful. I’m getting a drink, a lovely drink. Autumn is here, the wind blew me Off of my stem. I land in someone’s hand. Winter, it is cold. I don’t Like it. It’s spring again. It happens all over!

FORTUNATELY & UNFORTUNATELY BRIDIN MCCANN Fortunately, I saw Pascale’s dad while walking to school. Unfortunately, he only had Tristan. Fortunately I was on time for school. Unfortunately my teacher came a little late. Fortunately, I did not see a “do now” on the board. Unfortunately, she wrote one on the board. Fortunately, announcements said music in the auditorium. Unfortunately, it was in the classroom. Fortunately, the teacher was only reading a book. Unfortunately, we had to do a writing assignment. Fortunately, it was lunchtime. Unfortunately, we did not have recess. Fortunately, it was snack time. Unfortunately, I didn’t finish snack. Fortunately, we went to the carpet. Unfortunately, we had to do math. Fortunately, I thought Pascale was coming to writing. Unfortunately, she didn’t come. Fortunately, I could go on and on. Unfortunately, I don’t know what I’m doing next. 41

MY LEAF BRIDIN MCCANN Her name is Colorfully. Her favorite season is fall. Her favorite color is red. She lives in a red apartment building. She loves Easter. She loves blowing in the wind and floating in the air. She mostly unlikes being stepped on. She hates rain. She lives in leaf village, one mile south of the north side of North America. She goes to PS Leaf 1,000. She likes going on trips to the sidewalk, cars and buildings. She always does her school work.

TEN THINGS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ME SADIE MCCANN, AGE 5 1. Once, I was dreaming and there was a lady and she had a lot of “Littlest Pet Shops” and she said I could have them. 2. Nobody knows that I went to a museum on a school trip, today (except my school friends.) 3. Nobody knows that I go to Girl Scouts (except my Girl Scout friends.) 4. Nobody knows I have a secret hiding spot (except my friend Amanda.) 5. Nobody knows: One time, my sister and Victoria, Amanda and me had a play date. We had pillow fights and we tried to get inside each others rooms. I got into Victoria and Bridin’s hiding spots. 6. Nobody knows that last year…what my teacher’s name was. 7. Nobody knows that me and my last year’s class made a big painting of a castle, except my sister. 8. Nobody knows that I am going to Pascale’s party on Sunday. 9. Nobody knows that my Mom’s baby is coming out in 4 days and it’s the 10th. 10. Nobody knows that my sister and me fight. But, all time I love my family. 4343

A POEM IS SADIE MCCANN, AGE 5 A poem is writing, Coloring pictures of Bratz. A poem is a baby, A carriage, a bassinet, a nie nie, A soother, a blanket, a name. A poem is a big sister helping a little sister. She changes their diapers, She can feed her baby food, She can put on her clothes. A poem is like a Mom who helps out. A Mom turns off the t.v. when we do our homework. A Mom calls you to have a milk bath. A poem is like a Dad. A Dad yells at us, if weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not cleaning up. When weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing something, he tells us to eat. A poem is like an Aunt. Our Aunt comes over when our Mom tells her to come over. An Aunt helps us clean up. An Aunt plays with us. An Aunt gives us piggybacks.

A poem is like my Grandmother. A Grandmother gives us money For Christmas and New Years. A Grandmother teaches us Chinese. “Gung hey fa choy,” That means hand over the money! A poem is like my Grandfather. He gives us food to eat when we go over our Grandfather’s house. A Grandfather gives us presents. A poem is like a family and I love my family.

MY FAMILYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BABY SADIE MCCANN Fortunately, I do not know if my little sister is going to cry at night. Unfortunately, we are not ready for the baby. Fortunately, this is the last night I get to sleep in peace. Unfortunately, I do not like screaming. Fortunately, babies like to cry and scream. Unfortunately, my dad is not going to sleep. Fortunately, my dad is going to stay up and not be happy in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, my sister is coming tomorrow. Fortunately, my mom is coming home tomorrow. Fortunately, I got the side door today at school.

BECAUSE ISOBELLE NOVAK, AGE 7 Because the sky is blue my favorite color is blue. I hanged onto my mom because I love her. You can tell I am older because I am growing. What is 100 + 100? I asked because I wanted to see if you were smart. Because I am crying that means I am sad. Because that is not right I will correct it. I am writing this because I want to be famous. I am watching TV because I have no homework. How much is that toy? I asked because I want to buy it. My sister wanted cheese because she was hungry. My sister licked this notebook because she was thirsty. I like The Who because they rock. I gave Nicolas my Snoopy stuffed animal because he's my friend. I have no interest in you because I don't know you. Allison (my sister) has no patience because she really wants to play with me. Because the sky is falling I am frightened.

MY WINDOW ISOBELLE NOVAK In my window I see the outside playground. You are not allowed to go there; it is empty. No nature grows there. Only vines growing on the fences. I wish it was a garden.

HOW I GOT MY NAME AMELIA RIDENOUR, AGE 8 My name is Amelia. I like my name. My mom named me after Amelia Earhart. My mom named me after her because my grammy cried so much when Amelia Earhart died, because my grammy was her biggest fan. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how my mom got my name. I also got my name by a book called Amelia Bedelia.

THE STORY OF A LITTLE LOST KITTEN AMELIA RIDENOUR Once a family moved. They had a cat. They could not help it. They left the cat. The cat ran. He stopped at a door. A man named Wes gave the cat food and went to work. The cat followed him to work. When he came out, he saw the cat had no collar, so Wes decided to keep the lost cat and name it Pudden. Wes married a girl named Lenore. Lenore had two kids, a girl and a boy. The girl was named Amelia and the boy was named Theo.

HORSE COMPLAINING AMELIA RIDENOUR I remember when I first rode a horse. When I first rode a horse, I felt nervous, shaking, weird, weird, very weird. The horse was being stubborn and shaking. The horse began to trot and I bounced up and down. I went around the ring. Once, when I was riding a horse, my riding teacher said, “The horse is afraid of one side of the riding ring because there was a lot of trees on the side.” I went around the barrels. The horse moved side by side. (funny fact: Once the horse sneezed in my riding teacher’s face.) When I got off the horse, I felt so great because I did not fall off the horse and it was my first time.

MY TRIP TO BOSTON AMANDA SAHADI, AGE 6 I remember a few days ago, I went to Boston. We stayed there for three days. We bought some toys to leave at Boston, so we can play. I went with my Mom, my Dad, and my sister. We were staying at a building that we weren’t supposed to be staying at. Isn’t that funny? Our friends went to Boston, too. It was nice to go in their car. Then, I went in Katie’s car and drove back to Brooklyn.

PRINCESSES AMANDA SAHADI My name is Amanda. My name is like a princess. I saw a different princess and she had a different princess and she had a different name. The princess saw me and then we went into the show together. There were other princesses in the show. You can call the princesses anything you want. And sometimes the princesses call themselves anything they want. The princesses they change into a dress. The princesses didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move, but the dresses wobbled back and forth. They were changing princesses. The princesses were dancing in the show and then the special princess came. She did the most beautiful dance in the world. The princesses were giving out beautiful balloons. They had happy faces on them. And then they put lights in the sky.

SUPER FLOWER VICTORIA SAHADI, AGE 7 Super Flower was very smart. If she saw a bug getting her flower, she would chase them away. She also saved people. But one morning when she got up she saw in her rescue camera that someone was in trouble. Super Flower was too tired to even get out of bed. She soon found out that a bear was in trouble! Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s silly she thought. Why should I save a bear? Then her rescue camera started ringing hard. Then it saw bees stinging the bear! Super Flower jumped out of bed and began to run. Soon she got there. She chased the bees away. And she petted the bear. The bear was very gentle. So Super Flower kept him as a pet. She took good care of him. They lived happily ever after. The End.

I REMEMBERâ&#x20AC;Ś VICTORIA SAHADI I remember when my sister was born. My sister is deaf. I fed her yogurt, even though my mom told me not to. I taught her to talk. I tested her with her hearing. She got an implant. We had a party. Instead of singing Happy Birthday, we sang Happy Hearing. I was happy to have a little sister.

AN UNTRUE STORY VICTORIA SAHADI I am as smart as a fish. I am as blind as a new baby bird. I wear glasses. I am as hungry as a reader all day. I love to eat popcorn or cookies. My hair is as brown as a beetle. I am as proud as a kid graduating from school. Reading makes me feel good. I am as sleepy as a sloth. All I like to do is sit down and read and write. I am the smartest kid in my school. I am as pretty as a pumpkin. I do not watch T.V. All I do is learn. I like to learn. Everyone always tries to see me. I am getting ready to graduate school.

LIFE IS LIKE A ROLLERCOASTER MARY KATE TRAMONTANO, AGE 8 This is how life is like a roller coaster: The loops are fights with friends, bullies, bad grades, and icky lunches. The happy people screaming are: Good grades, best friends, play dates and recess.

ME MARY KATE TRAMONTANO I am from Imagination. I am from Hannah Montana. I am from Miley Cyrus. I am soooo from Webkinz. I am from boyish and girlish. I am from good school work. I am from being free. I am from reading. I am from basketball. I am from being late. I am from slow running. I am from not liking gym. I am from telling people gym is important. I am from Math. I am from not liking homework. I am from having a good memory. I am from being nice. I am from the computer.

IN THE BASKET MARY KATE TRAMONTANO I think she had berries. I think they were juicy. I think she has blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, and more. Maybe she has a piece of cloth too. I think the cloth is red. I think it has blue dots. I think this cloth is shaped as a square. I think this cloth is tiny. I think this cloth is small. I think this cloth was found under the berry bush. I am from singing.

SUMMER THINGS ABIGAIL YOON, AGE 8 Hot beach, fish, cold water, rain, ice cream, sun, playing outside, park, wet, showering a lot, reading, playing, walking, play date, slumber party

The end!

PERFUME ABIGAIL YOON My mom puts perfume on her body. And me too. But why does she put it on?

THINGS TO DO WHILE WAITING ABIGAIL YOON 1. Watch T.V. 2. Play Webkinz. 3. Play 4. Do Homeworks. 5. Reading. 6. Write. 7. Draw. 8. Play with sister. 9. Do math. 10. Reading magazines. 11. Playing games. 12. Look at birds. 13. Eat.

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