THE CIRCLE GAZETTE Volume 3, Issue 2
NOVEMBER 2011
A Newspaper by Children for Children
Living Healthy Tribute to the Circle Gazette Dehydration by Sara Cross and Daniela Gómez, Ages 11 South Florida Hi kids, and welcome to Living Healthy, a column that talks about how to keep your body healthy and energized. This month we will warn you about the dangers of dehydration. Dehydration, the opposite of overhydration, can occur when more water leaves your body than is coming in. Overhydration happens when you drink too much water and your cells swell. It is just as dangerous as dehydration and has many of the same symptoms. You can get dehydrated while swimming, playing outside in the heat (or cold depending on how strenuous your activities are), and when you have conditions like diarrhea and vomiting. The body can lose water rapidly, depending on the humidity of the air. The dryer the air is, the
more fluid it pulls out of your body. Dehydration causes your body to fall out of balance and it can happen fast. Though it varies based on the age and size of a child, kids in general have greater surface area to body mass so they can lose fluids faster than adults. You should know the symptoms of dehydration so that you can correct the situation. The symptoms include: ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶
Dry mouth Reduced tear production Lack of perspiration Muscle cramps Nausea and vomiting Heart palpitations Lightheadedness (especially when standing) ▶ Weakness ▶ Decreased urine output
on its Second Anniversary Celebration by Bilal Amodu, Age 14 Deerfield Beach, FL Being part of the Circle Gazette means being in the midst of fun, excitement, exploration, learning, and dreaming. Yes, that is what our paper is all about and a lot more. In the last two years, we young writers have ventured through a lot of emotions, experiences, expectations, and reaching for excellence.
Three Flags for a Fallen Hero by Ismail Ercan, Age 14 Coral Springs, FL
Please turn to page 6
“Everyone needs water… So stay hydrated”
Our editor Patty Gómez is our source of inspiration, and her encouragement and confidence in us has given us an identity in the realm of writing. It’s our paper where our wishes have been granted. Each time we see our work published, it’s like taking a step closer to realizing our dreams.
Specialist (SPC) Daniel Agami.
Sandy Becker and her daughter Beth Agami and their family stood watching their three Field of Honor flags billow in the wind with distant, glossy, looks in their eyes. Their flags were purchased not only to remember what had happened ten years ago, with the 9/11 attacks, but just four years ago as well, with the death of their beloved son and grandson, Specialist (SPC) Daniel Agami. Daniel was deployed in Iraq in June of 2007, when the tank that he was in was struck by an IED (improvised exploding device or roadside bomb) and the five men inside of the tank, one of whom was Daniel, were killed. Daniel was just 25 years old at the time. During his time in Iraq, Daniel earned a Purple Star, a Bronze
Please turn to page 6
As well as being a place for the writers, illustrators, cartoonists, and artists, the Circle Gazette is a collage of reading material for young minds. It is giving us the opportunity to read and write and discover and above all… to keep dreaming! Happy Birthday to the Circle Gazette.
Perspective Can Be a Funny Thing by Carter Robberts, Age 13 Page 4
SARAH’S CINEMA by Sarah Thompson, Age 12 Page 5
What Thanksgiving Means to Me by Alizdair Ray, Age 8 Page 6
Winter’s Tail
by Lauren Anido, Age 8 Margate, FL
I went to see Winter the dolphin in Clearwater, Florida. Win-
ter isn’t like other dolphins. In fact, she has a man made tail. This is how she got her man made tail: She got caught in a crab
Winter’s new tail
Did You Know... …that the prosthetic expert who developed the artificial tail for Winter the dolphin, Mr. Kevin Carroll, had also developed prosthetics for dogs, a duck, and even an ostrich? Carroll and his team spent many months creating the perfect artificial tail for Winter, including a gel-like sleeve that was developed to keep the prosthetic from irritating Winter’s skin. This sleeve design was later used to treat human amputees with painful prosthetic limbs.
trap and a fisherman rescued her. She was taken to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. She lost her tail. A man named Kevin Carroll decided to make her a new tail. So he made a tail that’s comfortable for Winter. It took a lot of different tries to make it but he did it! Winter’s tail is called a prosthetic. People wear prosthetics too. The one they made for Winter was special and now this kind of prosthetic also helps people. I saw the movie Dolphin’s Tale on a Friday. It’s the story of Winter, but everything in the movie isn’t like real life. For instance, the boy is pretend and the boat where Hazel lives is too. I saw the boat on my trip there. All the people were nice at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. A lady who works there let me hold Winter’s tail. I really liked seeing Winter and hope I can go back soon.
Young writer Lauren Anido holds Winter’s prosthetic tail at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
NOVEMBER 2011
from the editor: Aword An American Family in Germany
A Newspaper by Children for Children Monthly Independent Publication available to children of all ages. This publication is an initiative of THE ENRICHMENT CIRCLE, INC. A Non-Profit Organization for the Advancement of Education 7551 Normande Ct. Margate FL 33063 Phone:954-9182541 info@enrichmentcircle.com
Editor in Chief
PATTY GOMEZ
Editorial Board Serena Serrano
Sandra Wolkov
Pedro Gómez
Eden Skopp
Christie Voss
Sandra Damas
Production Patty Gómez
Sandra Wolkov
Christie Voss
Sandra Damas
Serena Serrano
Prepress Technician Christie Voss
Graphic Designers
Dora Font
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Daniela Gómez
Christie Voss
Cartoonists and Illustrators
Daniela Gómez
Emma Gómez
Sofia Serrano
Regular Columnists
Aaron Cross
Bilal Amodu Sara Cross
Sarah Thompson
Regular Contributors
Maria & Natalie Schlecht, Daniela & Emma Gómez, Aaron & Sara Cross, Liora Elkoby, Sofia Serrano, Danny & Andy Hernández, Shadya and Bilal Amodu, Ismail Ercan , Matias Sosa Wheelock and Alizdair Ray
Proof Readers
Serena Serrano
Sandra Damas
Website Master
Have you ever stopped to think about the things you do and say during an average day in America that are considered “normal?” What if those things were no longer “normal” but actually foreign to the people around you? How would you adapt? My family and I have been asking ourselves that for nearly six months as we have learned how to behave “normally” in our new home country. A typical day for us here is full of small adaptations that now come almost naturally to us. As we walk along our city sidewalks we have learned to tone down our natural American friendliness as most Germans are not comfortable with greeting strangers. This adaptation has helped us to not feel offended when a passerby ignores our “hallo” or “guten tag,” and to understand that this is simply a difference in our cultures. How many of you bring a reusable bag when you go to the grocery store? Maybe you are like me and usually bring your bags with you, but occasionally forget and have to use the store bags. Well, what if you had to
pay for those store bags? When we go to the local grocery store here in Germany, we remember to always have a reusable bag or else we will be paying an extra 20 euro cents (about 28 US cents) for each bag we need from the store! Dining out has been one of the more frustrating adventures during our adaptation period, as it can be very different from dining out in America. For instance, we have learned not to wait to be greeted and brought to a table, but to just simply walk in and sit where we like. Otherwise, we might spend several awkward minutes just standing at the front door while the wait staff pass us by in all directions (not fun, believe me). Then, once we have eaten our meal, we have learned to signal our server to pay the bill. This we learned after several frustrating restaurant meals that ended with long waits to pay the bill; we found out that it is considered rude for the server to bother a table during the meal, including bringing the bill! The waiter will wait to be asked for anything that is needed.
These are just a few of the adjustments in our behavior that we have had to make to adapt to living in Germany. Other adjustments include changes in driving rules, tipping, garbage disposal, and shopping. You would be surprised, though, how quickly these adaptations become permanent parts of your behavior. For example, I actually found it difficult to write this editorial because, in only five months time, most of the adaptations I discussed don’t feel foreign to me anymore. It was hard just to remember what used to be “normal” for me when we lived in America! What I hope my family and I can learn in our time here is that all human groups have their own cultural norms and these are neither better nor worse, but simply different from our own. As long as we appreciate these differences and are willing to adapt to different cultural settings, we can thrive in whatever surroundings we find ourselves in.
Victoria Martinez
Serena Serrano Assistant to the Editor
Circulation
The Circle Gazette is available online and it’s distributed in paper via individual, classroom and library subscriptions. Free copies are available at community partner institutions (libraries, museums and educational organizations). This publication is currently distributed in more than twenty cities in South Florida and has subscribers and contributors from California, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico, Virginia, Caracas-Venezuela, Rivas-Nicaragua and San Jose-Costa Rica.
Free Copies Available at
The Coral Springs Museum of Art The Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater The Northwest Regional Broward County Library The British School Caracas
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Jodi Jaffe 954-253-6584 TO SUBMIT WORK TO SUBMIT WORK The Circle Gazette is a publication available to public school, private school and homeschool students. Email a copy of your work, as a major word processor file or as a jpeg file, at info@enrichmentcircle.com. All entries should be accompanied by the parent/gua The Circle Gazette is a publication available to public school, private school and homeschool students. Email a copy of your work, as a major word processor file or as a jpeg file, at Information info@enrichmentcircle.com. to contributors All entries should be Circle Gazette theonline right toat edit, accept and refuse articles in the interest of brevity, clarity and appropriateness of subject matter. accompanied by the parent/guardian consent to print.The Submission Form toreserves be found www.enrichmentcircle.com. YOUNG CHILDREN PROVIDE A WEALTH OF WISDOM, FRESHNESS AND NEW PERSPECTIVES
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Creative journalism at its best
Articles, stories, poems, art and much more… From and for children of all ages and from everywhere
The Circle Gazette reserves the right to edit, accept and refuse the interest of brevity, claritytoand Thearticles Circle inGazette is packed from cover cover with the latest stories and creations of children of all ages; about local affairs, the environment, art, sports, entertainment and puzzles that engage and inspire young minds! appropriateness of subject matter. The Circle Gazette is a one-of-a-kind publication because:
YOUNG CHILDREN PROVIDE A WEALTH OF WISDOM, FRESHNESS • AND NEW PERSPECTIVES •
• The Circle Gazette is packed from cover to cover with the latest•stories and creations of children of all ages; about local affairs, the environment, art, sports, entertainment and•puzzles that engage and inspire young minds! • The Circle Gazette is a one-of-a-kind publication because: • It transcends one school/homeschool community. It goes beyond a state or a country. It’s about widening • • • • •
writer’s and reader’s horizons! It is addressed to children and the content is created by children It involves a multi-age/multi-level group of contributors The editorial team keeps a holistic and nourishing quality in the selection of content and design It’s a high quality mix of a variety of styles and topics It offers valuable feedback to authors
It transcends one school/homeschool community. It goes beyond a state or a country. It’s about widening writer’s and reader’s horizons! It is addressed to children and the content is created by children It involves a multi-age/multi-level group of contributors The editorial team keeps a holistic and nourishing quality in the selection of content and design It’s a high quality mix of a variety of styles and topics It offers valuable feedback to authors
To submit your work, email us at info@enrichmentcircle.com or call 954-9182541
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The Enrichment Circle is a Non-Profit Organization for the Advancement of Education
NOVEMBER 2011
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
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Closing Day for the A Cry for Help The Coral Reefs’ SOS Florida Marlins by Daniela Gómez, Age 11 Margate, FL
by Alizdair Ray, Age 8 Davie, FL On September 28, 2011, I was at the last game for the Florida Marlins. They will be at their own stadium in Miami next year. They will be called the Miami Marlins. It was a fun game and they lost to the Washington Nationals. There were former and past Marlins players and owners. It was great to see players that were on the Marlins World Series team. I’m hoping my parents will take me to one game next season. I was able to ask a fan about the new stadium. Alizdair: Do you think a new stadium will make more people come to the games? Fan: I live in Miami and it will not be a problem for me to go to the games. I feel like people who live in Broward will not come to every game. Alizdair: Do you like the name change? Fan: I love the name and it is really catchy. Alizdair: Who is your favorite Marlins player? Fan: Benito Santiago I love watching the Marlins baseball games and will countdown until the first game in 2012. Go Miami Marlins!
Alizdair at the Marlin’s game
Coral reefs are dying, because of overfishing, because the plants the corals depend on are abandoning the reefs, because of global warming; the coral reefs are dying. Corals have many purposes when it comes to medicine. From fixing a broken bone to curing a simple cold, coral reefs hold the most potential for medical purposes. Many sea creatures depend on coral reefs for food and/ or a home. Many species will be affected if coral reefs disappear from the face of the earth. Many humans also depend on reefs for food; yet humans can be among the coral reefs’ worst enemies because of overfishing. Corals have a symbiotic relationship with microscopic plants that live inside the corals and are responsible for the color in the coral. In return, the plants get a home and protection. Many symbiotic relationships exist in coral reefs such as the relationship between the Bulldozer Shrimp and the Goby. The shrimp acts as a housekeeper for the Goby and since the shrimp is very nearsighted, it gets a Goby bodyguard. The Goby flicks its tail when it senses danger, a signal that tells the shrimp to hide. Some divers decided to take pictures of some reefs before they disappear forever. They went to the
Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. They found that the reef was doing fine thanks to the laws that protect it from overfishing. Some fish, now rare in other reefs, are thriving in the Great Barrier Reef. The divers watched as small fish climbed into the mouths of larger fish and ate. The small fish got a meal and the large one got a clean mouth. It is amazing! The Florida Barrier Reef, off the coast of the Florida Keys, is the third largest reef in the world, the first and second being the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Belize Barrier Reef in Belize. The Florida Barrier Reef is the only coral reef in the United States and it is now in danger. Many animals such as sea turtles, sharks, fish, and even humans depend on their coral reef for survival. Coral reefs give food to turtles and sharks; they give houses to fish and seaweeds; they give medical cures to humans. If coral reefs become extinct then the whole world will be affected; sea animals will lose their homes and food sources, their comfort, their lives. Fishermen will lose their plentiful catch. Seaweeds, which give the world more oxygen than many trees, will die, making breathing a more difficult task. I took a trip to Key Largo and learned even more about coral reefs… In Key Largo, you can take
“Reef” Mutimedia art by author. See full version in Art Box.
a boat that has an area made of clear material on the bottom so you can see the Florida Barrier Reef alive and functioning. It is much prettier and holds much more information than a video or movie because you are actually there. You can see that some corals are cut and scarred from careless boaters or divers that touched the coral reefs. I saw a huge brain coral that had a gap in the middle. It had been scraped off by the anchor of a boat. I saw a Nurse Shark, a juvenile Green Sea Turtle and plenty of Moon Jellyfish. Nurse sharks are docile animals. They are not “out to get you.” They just don’t want to be bothered. If you don’t upset them, they won’t upset you. Many sea creatures just want to be left alone in their ocean. They want it restored to its original state. Can we humans help them? Coral reefs are dying, because of overfishing, because the plants the corals depend on are abandoning the reefs, because of global warming; the coral reefs are dying.
• Birthday Parties • After-School Programs • Kidz Night Out • School Field Trips • Summer Camps • Mommy & Me Classes
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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
Perspective Can Be a Funny Thing by Carter Robberts, Age 13 Dania Beach, FL Have you ever prejudged something only to find out you were completely wrong? Most people prejudge these two words: standardized tests, because they associate them with hard questions, long hours of testing, and months of preparation. However, standardized tests can be looked at from a positive perspective too. Practicing for them can help you learn to master them. This practice can also guarantee higher scores, show improvements in self-esteem, and enable the proverbial “doors to open” to your future. I used to hate the idea of sitting for a standardized test, much less preparing for it. But when you have a good teacher who makes the preparation fun, your perception will change. Ms. Donna was a teacher at Summit-Questa Montessori School for ten years. She
not only taught Science and Math but also created and ran the Standardized Testing Programs there. When I was in the 7th grade she taught me strategies to help me improve my scores on the I.O.W.A.S. My math score went up three grade levels from the previous year. I am proud to have the scores submitted to the high schools I am interested in attending next year. I am in the 8th grade now and am taking another standardized testing class with her. This program teaches us the skills we need to master the high school entrance exam. It covers verbal skills, two different types of mathematics, reading comprehension, and language skills. Ms. Donna makes learning fun and I am glad I am taking this program with her again. She is energetic, motivated, and dedicated to helping her students
improve their scores. She has changed my perspective on how I see standardized testing. I no longer see these tests as annoying or intimidating. I now see them as challenges I can enjoy taking on. I hope that every child my age gets the opportunity to change his/her perspective on these types of tests and takes on the challenge of mastering them as I have. All it takes is someone who believes in kids, someone willing to put forth the effort to encourage kids, and someone who has the knowhow to get through to kids; the rest just has a way of falling into place. It is funny how much my perspective on standardized testing has changed in the past two years. Thank you Ms. Donna for helping me to change my perspective, build my confidence, and open my own doors to my future.
Adventures of a Police Explorer Coconut Creek Police Explorers Annual Trip by Ryan Smith, Age 14 Coconut Creek, FL
This past October, the Coconut Creek Police Explorers went on their annual trip to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. Each year we participate in two to three car washes to generate enough money to drive to Orlando, Florida. We stay from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. This way, on Saturday, we get to choose from the various attractions Orlando has. After we arrived at the hotel on Friday, we all got settled into our rooms. Unfortunately, some rooms were on the seventh floor while others were on the third. However, we managed to work around this and still had a great time. Next, we departed for City Walk in Universal. There, we ate dinner at the Hard Rock Café, so
that by the time we were done Horror Nights would have begun. Then we left to begin the real fun. At the first house, one explorer was afraid of going in, but we convinced him to try at least one, and he liked it! After that we slowly worked our way through all the different houses and scare zones. Later that night, we unanimously decided that the two best houses were Nightingale and Winter’s Night. On the second day, we were unsure of what we wanted to do. Throughout the day, there was a constant rain shower, which eliminated about 70% of the attractions in Orlando, since most of them are outdoors. Instead, we went to various arcades throughout Orlando. Additionally, we went
and bowled at an alley with 80 lanes. After that, we went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner. The next day, we woke up and hit the road at 8 a.m. to return to Coconut Creek. Overall, we had an amazing time together. We gathered plenty of pictures of us doing goofy things, and we all got pranked, but it was all in good fun. Everyone is looking forward to going back next October, and hopefully we will have new people to bring along. If you have an interest in police work or would like to participate in an event like this, you can email Officer Zombek at MZombek@coconutcreek. net or call Sergeant DelVecchio at 954-973-6700 (Ext. 1455) to get more details and sign up to become a police explorer.
NOVEMBER 2011
Semifinalists Named in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program
Forty-one Broward County Cypress Bay High School Public Schools students have Felipe Lozano-Landinez, been named semifinalists in the Mariana E. Perez, 2012 National Merit Scholarship Matthew J. Samach, Program. These seniors now Whitney A. Sikes, have an opportunity to continue Lauren M. Smith, in the competition for some 8,300 Jiaqi Xie National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $34 million, that Deerfield Beach High School will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Rithi J. Chandy Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements Fort Lauderdale High School to advance to the finalist level of Ryan A. Hautigan the competition. About 90 per cent of the 16,000 semifinalists J. P. Taravella High School named nationwide are expected Bryan Blette, to attain finalist standing, and half Megan Brewster of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Merit Scholar title. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the High School basis of their skills, accomplishSonali Argade, ments and potential for success in Natalie N. Atyeo, rigorous college studies, without Joshua M. Feinzig, regard to gender, race, ethnic oriPaula M. Gomez, gin, or religious preference. Abigail L. Hummel, About 1.5 million juniors in apLauren Kandell, proximately 22,000 high schools Taimoor A. Khan, entered the 2012 National Merit Justin Levy, Scholarship Program by taking Ameen A. Mettawa, the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship QualiJoshua M. Miller, fying Test, which served as an Elizabeth A. Myers, initial screen of program entrants. Pratheek B. Nagaraj, The nationwide pool of semifiRelvin Samal, nalists, which represents less than Erica S. Turret, one percent of U.S. high school Edward Yin, seniors, includes the highestZachary Zbar scoring entrants in each state. The number of semifinalists in a Miramar High School state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of Mukunda Satchidanand graduating seniors. Broward’s 41 semifinalists are Nova High School listed below, by school. Lauren G. Feilich
Charles W. Flanagan High School Katie Aguila College Academy at Broward College Ceshae C. Harding, Catherine M. Pannier Cooper City High School Talya B. Rejtman, Spencer T. Shweky Coral Glades High School Tyler J. Loughney Coral Springs High School Kathryn C. Long
Plantation High School Michael P. Kemerer, Idris M. Sardharwala Pembroke Pines Charter High School Natalie Maria Pompano Beach High School Sarah A. Franks South Plantation High School Nicole J. Wood West Broward High School Allison B. Gonzalez
Did You Know... … that Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the nation’s sixth largest public school system and the largest fully accredited district with over 234,000 students in 231 schools and education centers and 76 charter schools?
Did You Know...
Coconut Creek Police Explorers
…that the term standardized test is used for any test that is administered, graded, and interpreted in a consistent manner. This type of testing was first used in the United States during World War I in Army testing and spread rapidly through the nation’s school system. It has remained popular as a way for the federal government to regulate a widespread and diverse nation of local school districts.
Deerfield Beach, FL
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
NOVEMBER 2011
GREAT CATCHES! Don’t waste time, read about it!
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SARAH’S CINEMA A Monthly Movie Review
by Bilal Amodu, Age 14 Deerfield Beach, FL Hello my loyal readers and welcome to the November edition of The Circle Gazette. Though the present is eminently entertaining, it is eminently fascinating as well (and occasionally necessary) for us to study the events of those who lived, years, decades or even centuries prior to our own births, permitting us to compare the conditions that we enjoy in comparison to the conditions of the people who lived in those times, especially those who were our age in those days. The following three novels will transport readers through history to experience war, tragedy, adventure, patriotism, hardship, as well as revolution. These novels will correspond with Veterans Day as well as Thanksgiving since we should be thankful for being spared from the misery of these pivotal yet trying time periods.
We shall now travel more than a century forward toward the future, to the time of the Gold Rush when several Americans, especially those living in the West. took the opportunity to pursue their fortune in the mining industry. This story describes the adventures of one mining family, the McGees. Billy McGee, a twelve year old boy who has recently lost his mother, is forced to flee to Skagway. Alaska with his elder sister, Edna Rose. in order to join their father who mines gold in Skagway. The journey is a long as well as difficult one as they befriend a dog, rescue a man’s life, and cross the Canadian border amidst the risk of having their identities discovered. This novel vividly displays the difficulties as well as benefits faced in the Gold Rush.
Johnny Tremain Author: Ester Forbes Age Level: 4th grade and up Rating:
Wednesday Wars Author: Gary D. Schmidt Age Level: 5th grade and up Rating:
by Sarah Thompson, Age 12 Boynton Beach, FL Movie: Dolphin Tale Rated: PG The plot: When “Winter,” a young bottlenose dolphin, washes up on the shore of Fort Pierce, Florida with her tail tangled in a crab trap, Sawyer Nelson (played by Nathan Gamble) discovers her and is determined to help. Winter is taken to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where, with the help of a marine biologist named Clay Haskett, and his daughter Hazel, they successfully amputate Winter’s tail. But without a tail, there’s no way for Winter to swim, and if she can’t swim she will die. Now the team is faced with an impossible challenge: to find a way for a dolphin without a tail to swim. The verdict: From the time this movie started, I found myself reeled in (pun
intended). It instantly grabbed my attention and held it too, in a way no movie has done for me in a while. I think the first thing that stood out to me about the film was that the leading roles the stars of the film - were not the big-name celebrities such as Ashley Judd (playing Sawyer’s mother) and Morgan Freeman (playing Dr. McCarthy), who you see in commercials and other ads for the film. The real stars were young child actors Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff both of whom have had little to no exposure in movies or TV. It was very refreshing to see two new faces lead the film. It was also refreshing to see how talented the actors were, despite their young age and lack of experience in movie-making. Both Gamble and Zuehlsdorff played their characters very well, and really did steal the spotlight without ever coming off as precocious or corny. All that being said, the big-
ger actors I mentioned previously also had very good performances, which truly brought the film together and made it enjoyable all the way through. And how could I not mention Winter, the inspiring little dolphin who plays herself in the movie? I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone! It is heartwarming and touching, and lots of fun!
TUT: The Story of the Pharaoh and the Girl Who Loved Him
A Novel By Robin Martin Berard A Book Review by Shadya Amodu, Age 11 Deerfield Beach, FL This novel is set during the 1770s, just as the American colonies’ protests against Great Britain a revolution. Johnny Tremain, an adroit yet arrogant silversmith apprentice is aloof to the intensifying conditions, merely concerning himself with becoming the best silversmith in Boston. When a damaged crucible cripples his hand, his career as a silversmith is put to a stop, and he is forced to pursue an alternative profession or appeal to his arrogant, affluent relative. When a local newspaper employs him, Johnny becomes less arrogant, more thoughtful, as well as more patriotic, especially as he becomes involved with the missions and protests which become the American Revolution. The Gold Rush Kid Author: Mary Waldorf Age Level: 5th grade and up Rating:
Our final novel will return us a mere forty four years before our present time. As the war in Iraq is nearing its long awaited cessation, I wish to reflect upon another foreign war that was equally as long, virulent and unpopular as the one which will end this year: the Vietnam War. In 1967, Holling Hoodhood is forced to spend his Wednesday afternoons with Ms. Baker, a teacher who has him read the plays of William Shakespeare, which aids him to view the world that he lives in. At home, Holling must please his father, whose matter of eminence is the family business, especially since his father expects Holling to inherit the business when the time arrives. Tensions escalate between Mr. Hoodhood and Holling’s sister Heather as she embraces the rebellious ideas of her generation forcing Holling to select his loyalties. Amidst the unhappiness caused by the war, life is still occurring for Holling as typically as circumstances permit.
If someone asks me what my favorite book is, my reply would be “Tut” – a historical fiction written by the fabulous author Robin Martin Berard. The story is about a smart and defiant girl named Joanna Wilson who is sent back in time to ancient Egypt by her history teacher Ms. Foster. In Egypt she encounters Nekhare (a royal scribe) and also the Egyptian prince. Joanna falls in love with his cousin Tutankhamun. How do you think a blonde fairskinned American girl from the 21st century fits into Egypt 1325
B.C.? Well how would you feel if you went back to ancient Egypt? When Jo arrives in Egypt, all she wants to do is go home. But after a while she settles in really well. Not only that, she even becomes the queen! Because of her love for Tutankhamun she becomes determined to keep him alive or at least find out how he died. His death was a mystery that has never been solved. Soon everyone is a suspect, even Nekhare, (Tutankhamun’s cousin) who has been driven crazy because of love and a desire for power. Although Jo shakes up the historical events (like inventing soap) she also restores it later on.
If you are fishing for a really mesmerizing book, look no more! Reach for this enchanting book by Robin Martin Berard. You will love it, and will not put it down until you know it all!
I Am a Bug: a Book Review by Sofia Serrano, Age 5 Frankfurt, Germany I read a story called I am a Bug by Neil Paracuelles. It is about an ant that can’t find his queen. He looked up a tree and he looked down a tree, but could not see his queen. He went over a box, climbed on a flower, climbed up an apple, and up a cup. He saw lots of other bugs, but not his queen. At the end of the story, he found his nest and saw his queen. He was happy.
The ant climbed up the apple to look for his queen. Illustration by author. Paint on paper.
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What Thanksgiving Means to Me by Alizdair Ray, Age 8 Davie, FL I love when we head home to the Carolinas to see our family. My parents get excited, too. It is fun to see my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandma, and my grandpa Pickin. It is the best
time of my life ever. Before we eat, we pray for the family that is here and the ones that are not with us. We love to eat our Thanksgiving dinner while we watch football. It is fun to cheer for our favorite team. It is a tradition in our
family. I love it. I’m lucky, but there are lots of people that will not have a dinner to eat or have family to be with on that day. I wish everyone can be with their families but sometimes it doesn’t happen. I pray that everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Did You Know... … that the Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the colonists, later collectively known to history as the Pilgrims, who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower. Almost half of the colonists were part of a separatist group seeking the freedom to practice Christianity according to their own determination. This document was signed on November 11, 1620 by 41 of the ship’s 101 passengers, while the Mayflower was anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor within the hook at the northern tip of Cape Cod.
Living Healthy continued from page 1 by Sara Cross and Daniela Gómez, Ages 11
You should be drinking the same amount of ounces as half of your body weight per day. So if you weigh 50 pounds you should drink 25 ounces of water every day. If you are outside and active, then you should increase your water intake. The reason water is so important, is that the body is made of 60% water, according to Jackson’s Anatomy & Physiology for Nurses. Water is used as a cleaner to flush toxins out of your body, as a transport for nutrients, and as a cushion for tissues and joints. If you ignore the symptoms, the problem will not just go away, it will only get worse. It will make you at risk of migraine headaches, heartburn, constipation, kidney stones, and even kidney failure. Severe dehydration can cause your body to shut down and go into shock. Dehydration is common in athletes, since they spend lots of time in the heat. But that does not mean that if you are not an athlete, you are safe from dehydration. It is not hard to dehydrate but luckily, it’s not that hard to stay hydrated either. Keep in mind that water is the best thing to hydrate you. Lemonade and all natural fruit juices are good too, mainly because their composition is mostly water. You should always bring a bottle of water with you wher-
“If you are outside and active, then you should increase your water intake.”
ever you go. Try out this cool recipe for refreshing and hydrating lemonade! YOU WILL NEED: • 2 Cups water • 4 Tablespoons lemon juice concentrate • 4 Tablespoons raw turbinado sugar HOW TO MAKE IT: It is a simple recipe. Mix the ingredients together, let the sugar dissolve, and drink. It is refreshing and cool. Cool water can get absorbed better than hot, warm, or even room temperature water. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, at least 5059 degrees F˚ is the temperature your drinks should be. Here are some more tips to help keep your body hydrated. Drink before you are thirsty. If you are thirsty, you are already in the beginning stages of dehydration. Gulp, don’t sip. If you take a gulp you can get a much bigger intake then if you take four sips. If you are planning a big exercise or a day on the beach, you should start hydrating the night
before. Within 2 hours after the activity: make sure to hydrate yourself. The best choices are cool water, lemonade, and herb teas. If you are a swimmer, even though you don’t feel it, you are sweating. Keep a bottle of water by the edge of the pool and drink constantly. After any physical activity, it is good to have a natural protein drink within half an hour of finishing up, to hydrate and replenish the strength of your tired muscles: organic chocolate milk, organic liquid yogurt or milk/yogurt based smoothie. So the bottom line is: drink and stay hydrated. Even if you stay in air conditioning the whole day, you can still dehydrate. Your body loses water in normal biological processes, such as: mucus production, urination, and breathing. You may be a swimmer, gymnast, dancer, soccer player, or maybe you play none of these sports. It does not matter, everyone needs water. So stay hydrated and we will see you in December!
NOVEMBER 2011
Three Flags for a Fallen Hero continued from page 1 by Ismail Ercan, Age 14 Star, and an Army commendation medal for his service, bravery, and dedication to the military. In the past four years, Beth Agami, Daniel’s mother, and her family have traveled throughout the world attending numerous memorials and dedications honoring her fallen son. They have met President Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington D.C. and have even traveled to Germany for services honoring Daniel’s life. Beth is now considered a gold-star mother, which indicates that she is related to a fallen soldier. Beth and her mother Sandy, who attended this year’s Margate Field of Honor event, thoroughly enjoyed each and every minute of it. “The opening ceremonies were amazing,” Beth Agami said. “It was a fabulous idea that the city thought of doing this in memory and in honor of the 9/11 victims and their families. And of course,” she added, “honoring the fallen soldiers and heroes that have died in combat. This whole event is very nice and very well done.” “It is very meaningful to me,” said Becker. “As a relative of a fallen hero, it means a lot.” As a child, Daniel Agami went to school at the Margate Hebrew Academy, located on North State Road 7, and he later became a local DJ. Following the September 11th attacks, Daniel was inspired to enroll in the U.S. army and serve his country. Agami, a 25-year South Florida resident explains her son’s duty to serve.
“Daniel was always raised with a very patriotic duty to this country and I felt that when he felt the time was right, and when he was ready, he would join. He did voluntarily enroll, four years after the 9/11 attacks, when he was 23.” Becker often reflects upon her grandson’s death and its meaning. Even with losing Daniel in war, one of the thousands of American heroes lost, she believes America’s efforts in the Middle East have been partially in vain. “Even though America is more aware of the terrorist threats and has been aiming to stop them, it is still not a safer country compared to before the 9/11 attacks. There is still a major, if not larger, threat out there.” The City of Margate previously honored Daniel’s sacrifice for his country at Veteran’s Park, where a brick is laid in his honor. Also, the Hebrew Academy had a bronze plague dedication service, where City Commissioner Joe Varsallone presented Mrs. Agami with a Gold Star flag and unveiled a bronze plague that is now displayed at the front of the school. “Our family deeply appreciates the compassion and understanding that the City of Margate has shown us since Daniel lost his life in Iraq.” Agami says. Sandy, Beth, and their family continue to have a strong family relationship. Beth and her mother continue to nurture their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with the same patriotism that they raised Daniel with, hoping that they can be just as good as their hero relative, because he truly was an American hero.
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“The body is made of 60% water”
Maggie Biegelsen is a great tutor because she makes everything so easy. When I first
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while being tutored on Wednesdays because she makes math fun. I used to be terrible with fractions and decimals but now I am improving. Now I am in
7th grade and things are getting harder because I am almost in prealgebra. But I am catching up and Ms. Maggie helps me stay on target.
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
NOVEMBER 2011
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Looking Down by Sara I. Cross, Age 11 Boca Raton, FL
The Journey of a Leaf by Sara I. Cross, Age 11 Boca Raton, FL
Leaves unhook themselves from trees, Start their journey to the ground, At last the ground is beneath, Their companions can be found. And they dance along the ground, Rustling dirt as they spin, To the floor they are not bound, And they’re gone with the wind.
November
A Special Poem for a Very Special Person for a Special Month by Shadya Amodu, Age 11 Deerfield Beach, FL
There is a special person in my heart I have known and loved her from the start Her birthday is this month, and I have a surprise She is my most valuable prize. By the way, that special person is my mom And she is where I am from. She has always been there for me Summer, winter, fall or spring I will always be there for her How hard it is no matter. I love you MOM, I will forever Happy Birthday Mom- may this be the best birthday ever!
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The Sun looks down at the globular earth, Whose shape is a wonder in every eye, Orbiting the star from miles away, With green land, blue water, and light blue skies. The Sky looks down at the fluffy, white clouds, Dancing through the clear air in pure delight, Wondering where they should precipitate, And where they should block out the rays of light. The Clouds look down at the green, leafy trees, Shading the ground from the heat of the day, Greatly wondering when the night will fall. Waiting for the sun to lower its rays. The Trees look down at the beautiful birds, The little chicks, like close siblings they play, Their feathery heads pop up from the nest, Their mom looks around for father blue jay, The Birds look down at the tall, growing grass, Where frogs and lizards scurry and hop, Setting up their camp in the tall, green, stalks, A family of locusts eat the crops. The Grass looks down at the brown moist soil, Where the worms and cockroaches like to stay, Where moles tunnel far, in search of their den, Where mammals sleep after a day of play.
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Rainbow Camping Trip by Emily Greenfield, Age 5 Coconut Creek, FL Hi. My name is Elizabeth and I am going camping and I found a perfect spot in the Jungle. It has a big rainbow, a sun, a butterfly, and some warm grass. I saw
some animals last night. I had a very nice camping trip and I left. I came home and put away all my stuff and I had dinner.
NOVEMBER 2011
The Monster by Emma Gómez, Age 7 Margate, FL She hurries to the hole in the big rock and starts growling and roaring with anger. Her teeth like razor sharp spears and claws like swords scratch and snap, to let people know that she is there. When she runs outside, she charges at other monsters around her with rage and power. A metaphor about my dog Milky Way.
“Milky Way” Acrylics on Canvas by Ellie Gómez, Age 5 Painting developed at multiple sessions class with Fort Lauderdale dog artist, Mrs. Lynne Stewart.
My Couch by Ari Swift, Age 14 Boca Raton, FL
Illustration by author. Crayons on paper.
The Wind and Water by Chikaodi Duru, Age 8 Sunrise, FL
Wind and Water were having a quarrel about who was the fastest. Wind said to Water: “Let’s have a race.” Water said: “I will beat you.” They both asked Sun to be the referee. So the race was on. First Water passed Wind. Then Wind caught up with Water and pushed himself over Wa-
ter. The sun laughed at the two so hard that he got extra red in the face. That made Water hot so he grabbed Wind. They both got tangled and started spinning around forming a hurricane. Since then, when Wind and Water quarrel, hurricanes form.
The River and the Cloud by Daria Noel, Age 7 Sunrise, FL River and Cloud were once friends. River used to be a dry rocky place and always thirsty. Whereas Cloud was always thick, puffy, and filled with water. One day River asked Cloud to give him some water. Cloud said sure and gave him one cup.
River got so angry because he was still thirsty and threw a rock at Cloud. That broke him into pieces and scattered him all over. Cloud got so sad that he cried for many days filling the whole of River. And every time Cloud thinks about how River scattered him into pieces he cries, causing a lot of scattered showers.
Ari was playing on the computer one day when, Zap! A power flash! Waiting for the computer to reboot, Ari sat down on the couch. He saw a popsicle-stick there and absentmindedly picked it up. Suddenly the couch folded in and Ari fell into the weirdest place. The road he landed on was paved with popsicle-sticks. He was walking on the road for a minute when he saw a popsiclestick sign. Welcome To PopsicleStick City, it proclaimed. “Where am I?” thought Ari. He went up to the first house he saw, which to his surprise was also made out of popsicle-sticks. He knocked on the door and waited ... nothing. He tried the same with the next house, and the next. Wondering what was going on. He walked on. “Hey traveler, why are you not at the triangle like everybody else,” yelled the queerest person he ever saw. This person was made entirely out of popsicle-sticks. “What’s the triangle?” questioned Ari. “You’re here for the festival and you don’t even know what the triangle is?” questioned the stranger. “What is the festival?” asked Ari confused. “Ohhhh! You’re one of them,” said the stranger. “One of who?” asked Ari totally confused now. “A bunch of popsicle-sticks were being shipped when the truck turned over and they spilled into some freakishly-random portal that happened to open up right then and there. Now, sometimes people touch them and get transported here,” said the stranger. “What’s the festival and triangle?” asked Ari. “The festival is every month and everybody comes to sell their wares. The triangle happened when the town was new and needed a square like any good town. Trying to be green, they asked for all scrap popsicle-stick bits. After gathering all the bits they realized they didn’t have enough so instead of building a square they built a triangle. “Hey! We’re there!” exclaimed Ari surprised at the speed at which they arrived. Looking right and left he saw popsiclestick stalls filled to the brim with popsicle-sticks of all sizes. “Get your fresh juicy popsicle-sticks,” shouted one vender. “Who needs popsicle-sticks when you can get
succulent, delicious, mouth watering, tongue depressors,” shouted another. “Is there any color?” asked Ari, seeing no color anywhere. “Color? Who needs that? Anyway the only color around here grows in those pots over there,” said the stranger (whose name was Bob) indicating a few pots over on the side. “But look,” said Ari, dipping a popsicle-stick in the pot. “See how different it looks now.” “Wow! That looks amazing,” said Bob. 15 years later “Dong! Dong! Dong!” went the trumpets announcing the king’s arrival. “King Ari, the great color
inventor has a very important announcement,” announced the announcer. “I have served as king for you in Popsicle-Stick City for 15 years. I think it is now time to go back to my home city. I have found a way to create a freakishly-random portal so I can travel back to my home. I appoint over you Bob as the new king. Thank you and goodbye,” said Ari. Ari jumped through the portal and disappeared. Ari found himself back on the couch. He looked at the date on the calendar and the time clock and saw the same date and time as when he left.
The Northwest Regional Library, Coral Springs
A CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN AGES 7+ Registration Required Call the Coral Springs Library Youth Services Desk at 954-341-3965
Sat. October 22, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Sat. November 19, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Sat. December 10, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
NOVEMBER 2011
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“Olympia” the Aqua Fairy by Daniela Gómez, Age 11 Margate, FL Name: Olympia Age: 120 Color: Aqua Size: 2 inches Hobbies: Swimming and diving Least Favorite Thing: Being far away from water Favorite Insect: Common Water Strider Favorite Bird: Anhinga Animal Friend: Maria (Anhinga) Favorite Flower: Forget-me-not Favorite Season: Summer Home: Hollow washed-up coral on the beach Favorite Accessory: Her glowing forget-me-not petal Olympia was tall (for a fairy), she had sea-colored hair, eyes the shade of seaweed, and she only smiled when she was really happy… I twirled my pencil between my index and middle fingers, trying to remember the face in my dream, so alike the one in the park. I recalled her long bluegreen hair, her serious expression, and the glowing flower petal that hung around her neck. She had seemed poised for action, as if she was waiting for something, her eyes searching for something. I grabbed the lip balm next to me and dabbed it on. I closed my eyes, trying to preserve the image of the fairy in my mind. She had looked thirsty and sad. Her face had been dirty and smudged with soil. Yet, I found her striking. She had been crouching behind some bushes, which looked giant-sized since my dream was from a fairy’s point of view. “Rebecca, come down for dinner!” Mom’s smooth
voice cut through my thoughts. I slipped my crude sketch under my typewriter. I turned the typing machine off and pulled out the sheet of paper that contained the outline of my story and slipped that under the typewriter too… After dinner, I took my puppies Caramel, a Yorkshire terrier, and Lydia, a Chihuahua, out for a walk. I thought about the dream. Normally, I wouldn’t believe a dream like the one I’d had. I’m sure I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen the same small, serious face in the park the other day. Lydia yapped impatiently and I realized I was standing still and not moving at all. I started walking, but Lydia didn’t stop barking. Soon, Caramel joined Lydia. I stared at them and then looked around to see if maybe they had spotted a stray cat. I saw no cat and nothing that should catch the attention of two tiny dogs, until I saw a pair of shining, delicate green eyes staring at me, as tiny as the head of a pin. I gasped and slowly walked closer to the hibiscus plant from where the little lights cast their glow. The eyes blinked as I approached, they were so sad, so lonely. Caramel jumped up to the flower plant as if trying to catch the creature concealed inside. The eyes disappeared, but only for a second. When they reappeared, I could see part of her face. It was serious, but not upset. The corners of her blue lips turned up and she pushed herself out of the foliage, revealing a miniature
girl in a knee-length dress made of seaweed and some kind of blue material. She had an athletic body and she looked like a mini version of a strong sixteen year old girl except for the wings. Yes, wings; tall, silky, blue-green wings that spread out from her back. She held a glowing flower petal in one hand, a sea urchin spine wand in the other. The smile on her face faded and she asked with a voice that reminded me of the sea: “Who are you?” I answered, “I’m Rebecca Wilkins.” I realized that I trusted the fairy. The fairy smiled again. “My name is Olympia, I am the Aqua Fairy,” she said. “I saw you in a dream,” I remembered. She nodded and explained that she was searching for her lost anhinga, Maria. “I came here and saw you in the park,” she said. “By accident,” she went on, “I entered your dreams last night and I learned that Maria was here.” I wondered how she knew. I hadn’t told her anything about my dream but suddenly, I remembered that in the dream I had seen an anhinga lurking in the darkness and the fairy turning her head and then, I woke up. “I haven’t seen an anhinga around here,” I said. Olympia shook her head and her sea-blue hair sailed around her head gracefully. “You do not understand, I have already found her.” I saw two brown bird eyes staring down at me from the top of the live oak tree next to the hibiscus. “I’m glad you found her,” I answered and Olympia’s
“Olympia” Soft pastels and color pencils on paper by D. Gómez smile grew and she said, “I must go now. I cannot stay away from water much longer; good-bye, Rebecca Wilkins…” I stared as the small fairy took flight and I returned inside with Caramel and Lydia. They wagged their tails as we went inside. I
went straight to my desk and carefully pulled my drawing and story draft out and began to draw and type, with the fresh memory of meeting an actual fairy in my mind. I will never let go of this memory…
Cherry Blossom Part III by Nathalie Thelemaque, Age 12 Coral Springs, FL cole, Tori, and Chris. I didn’t know what to do, so I I watched the game with barely any emotion. I don’t think any- kept running. I wanted to stop, body was really paying attention but for some reason my body to me; they were too much into was moving without my consent. “Gosh, just stop running althe game. They had managed to get signs and were waving them ready!” I think Tori screamed. I didn’t listen, I couldn’t listen. around like maniacs. Once the game was over (our My ears stopped working as well. team won 28 to 3), my friends I think my eyes stopped working and Chris ran off to congratulate too; I don’t know if I was crying the winners, but I lingered be- or not, because I couldn’t see that hind them. I really did feel like I was running into the street, into the losing team --sad, angry, and incoming traffic. I didn’t hear the honks, the alone, with their heads hung low. Ryan looked over. “Hey Saki! veering of cars, or the screeching Aren’t you going to come over of the tires. I couldn’t hear the here?” I felt like crying. His face angry yells of the drivers or the looked so sincere when he said screams of my name. But I did feel myself being that, but I felt like he was doing the pity fundraiser that Samantha pulled out of the way at what seemed to be the last minute. and Trina mentioned. “I’m… I think I’m going I did feel my heart skip a few home,” I yelled back. He mo- beats. And I did feel a warm tioned at his ear as if he couldn’t grasp pull me to the side of the hear me. I just shook my head road. “Are you crazy!?” Ryan and ran off. I was a bit surprised at my yelled. I finally regained all my speed. In less than thirty seconds, senses and could see the accident I was out of the park and down I almost got myself into. People the street. I stopped running to in the street stared. I started to cry again. “Don’t catch my breath and sighed. Why did I have to run away like that? talk to me! I don’t want to be in “Saki!” I whizzed around. one of your pity fundraisers.” “Pity fundraiser?” he frowned. Ryan was sprinting behind me followed by David, Jason, Ni- “Is that what this is all about?”
So I explained to him, in the midst of all my tears, even though I didn’t want to talk to him. He didn’t say anything for a while after that, and I don’t think I wanted him to. I had caught him in his little scheme, or what I thought was a scheme. He hit me on the head with the palm of his hand. “Are you stupid? Or are you going to listen to the girls who have been jealous over everything for the past 5 years?” He sighed. “Sorry for hitting you. But, I wouldn’t do that. Sure, I thought you were unique, different, and weird. But you’re a great person who just needs to learn a few things about the outside world.” We said nothing for a few minutes, me looking at the slowly moving traffic while he kept on sighing. Nicole, who I didn’t realize was there, said, “We aren’t doing this out of pity Saki. We’re doing this because we thought you were a cool person.” Jason nodded. “Really, who cares what other people think?” I looked around at all of them. I couldn’t believe that I had ever doubted them in the first place; they were always so nice and they even chased after me when I had tried to run away from everything else that was going on. Ryan helped me up from the
curb and asked, “Well, are you going to believe them? Or us?” “You guys, no doubt about it now.” He flashed me the biggest smile I had ever seen him wear. I grinned back at him as we all got together for a group hug. Chris, my brother, hit me in the same spot on the head afterwards, which now hurt twice as much. “Next time, don’t do anything so ridiculous. We’re not gonna be there all the time to save you, stupid.” I didn’t even want to insult him back. I gave him a bear hug, “I promise.” He hugged me for a split second, but held me at arms distance and told me how strange I was acting today. “I realize that I’m around the best people in the world.” Tori snorted, “Ain’t that the truth.” She sighed and overdramatically leaned against a tree. “I don’t think any normal person would run so far just to talk to someone. Gosh, I’m exhausted.” “Yeah, I think that we should go,” Ryan said. He nodded in the direction of a red car which apparently almost ran into me. “I feel like he’s about to file a lawsuit.” And since none of us wanted to get sued at that moment, we hurriedly walked away, laughing and talking like the friends we were.
We decided to go our separate ways once we got to the park. We were all exhausted from running so there really was no point in doing any more exercise. When we were leaving, they all gave me little tips of advice, most of which were ridiculous. “Don’t listen to stupid people,” Jason informed. “Which means David.” “Always, and I mean always, kick annoying people,” David suggested. “Like Jason.” “If anybody tells you that you’re lame,” Nicole said, while doing some karate moves, “kick ‘em in the jaw.” Tori just smiled and said, “You’re great the way you are.” Lastly, it was Ryan. He flashed me that award winning smile again and said, “Don’t listen to people who want you to change. You’re a good person, maybe a bit weird at times, but don’t let anybody change you.” And he put his hand on my head and ruffled my hair a little bit before heading off. Instead of giving me tips, Chris just told me what a dumb idea it was and how I could’ve gotten myself hurt. I realized all of that, but in a strange twisted way; it was all worth it.
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A Bee in the Attic by Emma Gómez, Age 8 Margate, FL
I was flying, enjoying the nice cool weather of the afternoon when it started to rain. I had to find a place to hide. I asked the purple lilies for the time and they told me it was 3:45. Queen Bee had said to be back by 5:30. It was my free time. Once a day, I get to go outside and roam the woods and play with other bees that are free to play too. I flew away. I was curious about that big crack. It was in the smallest tree I had ever seen. The tree was planted in a funny sort of way on the side of a window. I sat on a flower and examined the big opening in the wood. It was a very big window with two logs across. I had heard some kids calling these small logs window frame. I thought about the name. What was it supposed to mean? I couldn’t think of the answer. It was starting to rain a lot harder. I flew into the hole and once I was in, in a wiggly way I dried my fuzzy, yellow and black coat and my tiny wings. I used my big eyes to try to find my way through the dark. I was in what I had heard was called an attic. I had never been in an attic before but I was told they were full of discoveries and treasures. The air was fresh and smelled like flowers and pollen. I guessed it came from the flowers that were planted in the flower box right below the window I had entered through. It was cold. There were lots of unpredictable sounds, crickets chirping in one moment and water trickling the next. I heard scampering
steps which must have been the rats. There were old rectangular boxes from which I saw wooden pieces falling and creaking from time to time. That’s where I decided to make my bed. I knew it was getting late and the rain kept on hammering on the window. I needed a place to rest. I did not have much energy left from fighting the rain and the hive was far away. It seemed to me that this place was quiet and offered good protection. There were papers from books on the floor and I used that for a mattress and a cover. I went to sleep for several minutes and when I woke up I was ready to explore. I combed my long black legs and straightened my antennas. I was flying slowly and not so high because I didn’t want to waste my energy again, when I bumped into a small case. It had a hole on top and a big round circles on the sides. It was made of glass. I toppled it over accidentally and I thought I had broken it but when I looked over the edge I found out it was still in one piece. It was made of a kind of glass that didn’t break. It was white and it was as heavy as two flower petals. The case was rectangular and the opening was along the longer side. I was excited. I thought this case will help me carry pollen around! I am a messenger for my hive and I need to take some pollen to the neighboring hives every Monday. This case would take much more pollen in every trip.
It had stopped raining. I flew out and down to the flowers and asked them the time. I kept checking the time; this time I asked the dandelions, because I didn’t want to be late for work. It was 4:30 and I had to hurry and get back to my hive. I gathered stems from leaves and brought them back to the attic. I attached them to the upper edges of the case which had tiny holes and made three handles on each side. One for each of my legs. I made sure my wings were nice and prepared. Each one of my legs grabbed the case by the handles and I tested my flying carrying it around the attic. I couldn’t really navigate through the darkness without bumping the case around but I now knew I could fly with the case. I set it down on the floor carefully and straightened my wings again, combed my fuzzy coat and sharpened my stinger. I cleaned my antennas to make sure I didn’t miss any calls from my friends. I was ready to fly out of the attic. Once I was out with my case, I thanked the dandelions for telling me the time and hurried off to the hive. It was now a clear afternoon and the sun was shining in the bright blue sky. I felt rather good about all that happened in the attic. My wings were fluttering harder than usual but it was an easy flight even with the case. From now on I, who used to carry pollen on my back and legs, carry pollen inside my fancy case. A treasure I found one afternoon, in a dark attic.
“My wings were fluttering harder than usual but it was an easy flight even with the case.” Illustration by author. Oil pastels on canvas paper.
NOVEMBER 2011
DIALOGUE BOX
Meet Nathalie Thelemaque
This month we feature the author of Cherry Blossom (P.8). Nathalie is a twelve year old girl who likes to write. She is also known as Nattie and she is a native of Coral Springs. She attends the Coral Springs Charter School. Nathalie enjoys drawing and writing, loves to eat sushi food, and her favorite movie is Spirited Away. She is proud of finishing her first book, Wonders Forever. When there is nothing in her schedule she also likes to sleep and read. Nathalie’s favorite holiday is Christmas. If she could, Nathalie would like to meet Finn from the TV show Adventure Time. “He just seems so cool and funny,” she shares. From the real world she would love to meet English composer and singer, Imogen Heap. Nathalie considers Imogen “an amazing artist” with a “beautiful voice.”
When things get tricky and Nathalie doesn’t finish her work on time, her best excuse is that she was busy. Her least favorite thing is shoe shopping and she regrets not hanging out with her school friends during the summer. Nathalie thinks that most adults don’t seem to understand that kids are trying their best, “no matter what.” She describes herself as funny, friendly and creative and when she was younger she used to imagine herself as a pop sensation. The biggest challenge Nathalie faces for next summer is to finish her fourth book before her deadline. Something remarkable about Nathalie is that she is only twelve years old but she is already in eighth grade. Nathalie Thelemaque is a regular writer for the Circle Gazette and you can enjoy her stories every month.
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Harry Potter Word Search: Hermoine Ron Weasley Voldemort Muggles Snape Hagrid Dumbledore Harry Potter
Death Eater Hogwarts Parsel Tongue Sinius Black Chamber Phoenix Dementor Gryffindor Quidditch Gringotts Slytherin Hedwig
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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
“Un Perro Feliz” Color pencils on lined paper by Ana Laura Cortés Rojas, Age 8 San Jose, Costa Rica
“The Woman” Watercolors on paper by Kate Maier, Age 8 Sunrise, FL (Painting was created when artist was 7) “Coyote” Watercolor pencils on canvas paper Inspired by the story How the Stars Fell into the Sky by Jerrie Oughton and the illustrations by Lisa Desimini. by Emma Gómez, Age 8 Margate, FL
“Reef” Mutimedia art by author. See article page 2.
“When the Sun Rose” Soft Pastels on paper Inspired by the story When the Sun Rose by Barbara Helen Berger by Ellie Gómez, Age 5 Margate, FL
“Villa Villekulla” Watercolor pencils on paper Inspired by the book The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren by Ellie Gómez, Age 5 Margate, FL
NOVEMBER 2011