Kids in Print 2018 Edition

Kids PRINT IN

2018

Richland Library / Columbia, SC

The Story Begins / Mary Kathryn Davidson, Age 17

contributors

Adeboye, Debby

49

Gadsden, Teddy

56

Peterson-Griffin, Jacob 52

Allen, Jonathan

34

Geisbert, Caleb

44

Pham, Katie

46

Allen, Rebekah

20

Goberstein, Alan

5

Pregnall, Gwen

23

Beets, Oliver

36

Griswold, Lily

43

Robichaud, Andrea

27, 42

Blake, Tyler

51

Haddon Haste

back interior

Rollins, Logan

Back Cover

Bothur, Lydia

33

Hauptman, Hailey

10

Sapienza, Colin

54

Broome, Jada

21

Hedges, Abigail

10

Shuster, Emma

18

Bryan, Isis

15

Jackman, Victoria

22

Siddique, Isra

35

Bullington, Rowan

55

Jenkins, Kamryn

30

Simmons, Taliah

13

Burns, McKenna

16

Johansson, Isla

15

Stevick-Brown, Calvin 3

Campbell, Christabelle 43

Jua, Nat’lee

35

Stewart, Dominik

26

Carter, Piper

14

Katz, Abby

29

Venn, Clare

32

Carter, Toren

12

King, Madison

51

Verwers, Carter

6

Case, Katelynn

48

Koh, Alice

41

Viera, Liana

40

Chen, Lauren

2

Lanier, Michaela

11

Wachtel, Max

45

David, Addison

1

Lee, Morris

25

Wachtel, Sophie

38

Davidson, Mary Kathryn

Front Cover

Miller, Brant

45

Weinberg, Zola

9

Ducra, Ana

7

Mirosavich, Graham

8

Weinkle, Adena

39

Edwards, Kaylee

31

Mirosavich, Lillian

53

White, Alessandra

19

Moftakhar, Hannah

38

White, Cierra

28

Moftakhar, Sarah

40

Whitelaw, Haley

35

Morgan, Chloe

24

Morgan, Jesse

4

Ndubuisi, Danka

37

Ellington, Susan Faith 17 Ellison, Regan

37

Erwin, Maysie

50

Evans, ZoĂŤ

47

Kids PRINT IN

2018

Richland Library / Columbia, SC

Elephants / Addison David, Age 10

I Wish to See the Moon I have heard of the moon.

It is a place where breath falls short in empty air, Light both surrounds and falls away from you, And your eyes reflect the glow of the sun, Because you are one with the stars in a place humans Cannot comprehend.

And who would not be curious to see a place That is shrouded by shadow, yet lit by the sun?

A place with such enormous craters That look like they could hold a writer’s imagination, And answers enough to the questions You have been asking all of your short life?

Yes, I wish to see the moon, But for now, I only dream.

Lauren Chen Age 14

2 | Kids in Print 2018

Snowflake Dangling from the Strand of a Spider’s Web / Calvin Stevick-Brown, Age 12 Kids in Print 2018 | 3

Me, Flying Away From My Problems / Jesse Morgan, Age 16 4 | Kids in Print 2018

The Future of Space / Alan Goberstein, Age 10 Kids in Print 2018 | 5

Scrap Paper / Carter Verwers, Age 15

6 | Kids in Print 2018

A Book Lover’s Delight

She walked into the small shop carefully, as though the floor would

split or break under her weight. Truth be told, judging by the apparent age of the store, it was definitely a possibility. The shop was called “Used Books,” admittedly not a very creative name, but an honest, practical one, no doubt.

Despite the functional title, it seemed the book store was void of potential customers, as the door squeaked shut behind her.

The hushed tick of the cuckoo clock, the slight snoring of the old man

behind the register (most likely the owner), and the quiet whisper of book titles being read was all heard as the girl looked through dust laden covers of leather-bound classics and creased ancient comics all strewn about the shelves and tables in no real order. A bit of Dickens, a stack of Marvel, the occasional old script of a flunked play was all seen by the condescending eyes of a bystander, but to the girl, it was everything: her life, her dreams and hopes, her pride and honor, her love and chances all in the withered pages of the crippled second-hand books she caressed so lovingly.

Finally picking out a torn novel of mediocre taste, she made her way

to the scratched desk in the back and coughed gently hoping to awaken the old man. When he didn’t stir, she coughed louder until he opened one eye suspiciously. She handed him a bill of hard-earned currency many tears had been shed over and walked as dignified as a poor girl could. So goes the odyssey of the ghetto dreamer.

Ana Ducra Age 15

Kids in Print 2018 | 7

Chow Down / Graham Mirosavich, Age 9

8 | Kids in Print 2018

The Snake Ssss Ssss The snake whispers gently, As it slides past.

Gliding, Chasing, Sliding Ssss Ssss The grass is tall but still the vibrant colors show.

Sliding, Gliding, Chasing Ssss Ssss

Gliding faster, Sliding through the weeds The noise…

Ssss Ssss Following the boy through the night Chasing, Sliding, Gliding Still the noise…

Ssss Ssss The noise follows the boy back to his bed, Where he wakes up.

Still the noise is there…

Sliding, Gliding, Chasing Ssss Ssss

Zola Weinberg Age 10

Kids in Print 2018 | 9

Curious Ferret Tail high and paws low, The ferret doesn’t know where to go.

Curious nose leads the way, He follows the smell wherever he may.

Oh no! Here comes the rain; Must hurry before the smell drifts away.

The mice smell his approach and must keep him at bay.

Losing the scent drives him insane.

The ferret pauses as a new smell drifts in.

Rain now pattering on his back, He leaps over a puddle to stay on track.

Oh what fun it is to be looking again.

As for the other scent the rain washed away, He will find it again another day.

Hailey Hauptman Age 11

Turtle / Abigail Hedges, Age 9 10 | Kids in Print 2018

Left Behind / Michaela Lanier, Age 13

Kids in Print 2018 | 11

My Family / Toren Carter, Age 7

12 | Kids in Print 2018

Remember

Remember when you were crying? I was crying too. But

we were there to comfort each other. Remember in the light when you were waiting? There was always a light to guide you. You have to remember when we were lost in the sea. There were the waves to comfort you. We got together to remember these memories.

Remember when we were down? There was something to bring us up. When you were away, there were always memories to make it feel like we were together. There was always a bridge to hold us together.

When it was dark, there was a light to make it better. When it was show time and you were scared, you always had someone to make it better. Come on, we are magical together!

Taliah Simmons Age 6

Kids in Print 2018 | 13

The Golix*

Swish swish swish

Pitter patter pitter patter

Splish splash splish splash

Swish swish swish

The morning rains and winds and sounds of people’s feet splashing through puddles rapidly fills the morning.

There’s no sign of birds chirping in these dark woods.

But there is one sound that fills the air…

Swish swish swish It’s the sound of bad hopes getting taken away to the Golix Who turns the bad hopes into good hopes.

Every minute you can hear that sound…

Swish swish swish The Golix works rapidly rapidly rapidly.

By the end of the day the world is filled with good hopes.

Piper Carter Age 9 *Pronounced [GOY-lix]

14 | Kids in Print 2018

Being Mindful I can hear my dad in my mind, Don’t give up on yourself.

Be brave and open up your eyes And look up and forward Not down and backwards.

If you put your mind to it Then ya have to do it.

Use your words carefully, but not too harshly.

Isis Bryan Age 8

Instructions / Isla Johansson, Age 6 Kids in Print 2018 | 15

Untitled / McKenna Burns, Age 12

16 | Kids in Print 2018

Wuthering Wind Oh the wuthering wind is the rising wind, And it is a wonder to you, The wuthering wind is the rising wind, And you can feel it too.

The wuthering wind blows across a moor, And right into the sea, The wuthering wind blows across a moor, It’s a wonder for you and me.

Wind is blowing over you, It doesn’t give you tears, Wind is blowing over you, And it will fill up your ears.

The wuthering wind at first sounds scary, And lonely and sad too, But then it becomes beautiful, It makes you wonder, you.

Susan Faith Ellington Age 10

Kids in Print 2018 | 17

Where You Take Life

Everyone always tells me to stop thinking so hard. Trust me, I wish I could.

My mind is racing at all times throughout the day and night. When I start thinking, I can’t stop, and I get obsessed with the tiniest thoughts that flow through my head. My mind is like a glass of water that falls over and spills; the water keeps rushing out no matter how fast you try to clean up the mess. The water keeps flowing until you eventually just have to learn to swim or you’ll drown. It’s not a very fun feeling. There’s one particular recurring thought that always flashes through my mind at the worst times. Have you ever thought about how one single moment in time can change the entire course of your life? That’s what I think about constantly.

For instance, if you’re having a really unfortunate day and a stranger

compliments your shirt, it can completely change your mood. That’s just a small example of what I constantly think about. I know that if I had never sat at the particular lunch table I did on the first day of middle school, I would have completely different friends, and I would be far from the person I am today. An even more drastic example is how sending one text while driving could possibly end your life or someone else’s.

Throughout the course of our lives we will constantly be making decisions,

even if we don’t want to. Some decisions may be big, some may be small, but they all have the power to change our lives. Each choice that we make alters where our life takes us. Every choice made has a consequence whether good or bad. Everything we choose to do or choose not to do will impact you in some way, shape or form. You can either live your life afraid to make the wrong choice and always be terrified of the future, or live knowing that you are putting yourself on the path that you want to follow.

Emma Shuster Age 14

18 | Kids in Print 2018

What is in Your Magic Box? What is in your magic box?

Mine is full of crashing darkness Singing light Golden words Inept impurity What is in your magic box?

Mine is full of menacing fire Simple dolphins Mascarpone lions Catastrophic choices What is in your magic box?

Mine is full of miniature cheetahs Copper photons Approving wrens Flaming guilt How is your magic box made?

Mine is made of life Choices I made All my impurities Magnificent faith Music My magic box is not an ordinary thing What is in your magic box?

Alessandra White Age 12

Kids in Print 2018 | 19

Self Shadow / Rebekah Allen, Age 14 20 | Kids in Print 2018

Emo Kids / Jada Broome, Age 13

Kids in Print 2018 | 21

Portrait of an Otherworlder / Victoria Jackman, Age 18 22 | Kids in Print 2018

Welcome to Rockway

Hello, and welcome to a new school year at Rockway Elementary. We are

so glad your offspring are with us. Here at Rockway, we hope your child will benefit from exposure to the many different species our school hosts. We take education seriously, but we also want to make it a fun, enjoyable experience. That is why we will take your child on numerous trips so that they can get to know our great universe. For the safety and comfort of your child, please let us know if they have motion sickness, allergies, or claustrophobia. Each and every one of our students will have instruction on the language they are most familiar with, a language they are not so familiar with, mathematics, history, science, and our fabulous related arts. In addition to our regular courses, your child will receive small lessons each day on the many different species that inhabit our galaxy.

Here at Rockway, we believe that our world is a beautiful place and we would

like to prevent further damage to it. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have trees in our own backyard like the olden days? We will encourage your offspring to make this world a better place. If everybody starts helping, soon we might have the trees we only see every so often.

This year all of our students will receive a hologram watch to help with their

studies. We think it is a smart idea to expose our children to the rapidly growing technology in our galaxy.

If your child is Zaplar or part Zaplar, we would like the parents or guardians to

attend a meeting on mind reading. This meeting will be held next Tuesday, the day after school starts. You may think that we will prohibit your child from using their power.

Instead we will teach your student how and when to mind read. However, your child will be held responsible for their actions with regard to cheating or hurting another child.

Thank you again for choosing Rockway Elementary. We are all excited for the

2196-2197 school year.

Gwen Pregnall Age 14

Kids in Print 2018 | 23

Untitled

The year was 1864. My father owned the graveyard. The dead were ones that fought in the

Pahang Civil War. Foreign countries fought, Britain tried to stop it, and we failed. Many soldiers died, including two of my brothers, and were buried in our cemetery in safety coffins. The coffins had bells attached to twine, so if we buried someone prematurely, they could tell us.

The bells started ringing in September. They rang months after we had buried the men inside.

Every time they rang we saw the same thing: a crow. Its feathers black as coal, and eyes as red

as blood. It was always flying away as we hurried outside. The people were the same… It was like they had awoken from a long slumber. They said the same things, “I’m back” and “I’m alive.” Somehow they knew; and the bird, they always remembered the bird. “It was a crow,” they would say. “It brought me back.” We didn’t know what happened. How could we?

In one instance, a man came back, became ill that night, and died the next morning. We buried

him, sort of expecting him to return. He didn’t. That’s when we realized it: they get a second chance.

They get a shot at forgiveness for the sinful things they’ve done. After that second chance, they’re gone for good.

My sister, my two brothers that survived the war, mother, father, and everyone in town thought

it was witchcraft. The Devil was behind it; behind the bird’s blood-red eyes, behind the audacity of the situation. It had to be. We couldn’t stop it. But in the cold February of 1865 we were proved wrong.

We saw the crow once again. It landed on a wooden cross above an old grave, then began to

fly off. But one of the old men in our town saw it, loaded his rifle, and with one shot sent the crow away forevermore.

It was gone and that’s the way we wanted it. After this, my whole family moved. We left to live

in America and prayed we would never see it again. Now we have one life and one only until the redeyed crow returns.

Chloe Morgan Age 14

24 | Kids in Print 2018

The Stormy Ocean / Morris Lee, Age 10

Kids in Print 2018 | 25

Palmetto Sunset / Dominik Stewart, Age 11 26 | Kids in Print 2018

Deep in the Dark Deep in the dark, behind cities that glow And buildings that tower over the trees Lies a field, just a field, but a field like no other It is one that haunts everyone’s dreams.

No human light touches this place, Only fireflies, stars, and the moon.

But the fae flit and fly on the brightest of nights And dance along to an eerie tune.

A stream gurgles and laughs as it watches them prance And others come to join in on the fun.

Fireflies flutter and flowers flourish And the birds sing till the rising of the sun.

But still more come to join the dance, As they romp on a moonlit trail.

They leap over logs and follow the tinkling sounds And join the beckoning fae without fail.

Finally everyone’s here, everyone’s arrived, The fae, the plants, and the beasts.

And the guests of honor, the children who Twirl with the wind of the east.

When the sun raises its radiant face Over the treetops and kisses the leaves There will not be a trace to be found Of the beasts, children, or thieves.

That is why the parents in the cities that glow, Put iron outside of their homes.

Especially the rooms where the children sleep In hopes the fae won’t cause them to roam.

This is why in the cities that glow With the buildings that tower over the trees The parents warn of moonlit nights And fae who whisk youths away as they please.

So please, child, do not follow the tinkling laughs, A moonlight path, or the sweet tune of the lark.

For I fear if you do I will lose you forever To the fae that live deep in the dark.

Andrea Robichaud Age 16 Kids in Print 2018 | 27

Imagine, Then Come Back There is a place where only I can go, Inside my head, in my imagination.

There I am powerful, majestic, a Queen among her subjects, All the people look to me.

I am afraid of nothing, and lead my army into battle, And my enemies fall at my feet in surrender.

My eyes, the color of soaked moss, flash when I am angry, And subdue those who dare oppose me.

I speak to the dragons, train with a wizard, and ride a pure white horse.

I battle the best swordsmen with my blade, Argathiell, which means wonder.

But then I come back to the real world, And find myself, twigs in my hair, stick in my hand, Facing a small tree, not a person.

I stand on the leaf-strewn ground, not on a battle field, or a perilous cliff.

A fortunate thing, for I am afraid of heights.

But my eyes, now the color of the sea, a sort of blue-green-gray, Do not fill with tears at this revelation, for I am used to it by now.

Rather, I am happy to come back, for I can always return.

Even when others say it’s silly, they can’t keep me from going back.

Only I can go there, and I will always return.

I must, for my people need me, Because I am their Queen.

Cierra White Age 14

28 | Kids in Print 2018

Paris in a Day / Abby Katz, Age 15 Kids in Print 2018 | 29

No Longer a Je Ne Sais Quoi Let a layer of silence Fall over the crowd So the words I say Drip through your skin Fold into your soul and Settle in.

Reality only costs your dignity Plus shipping and handling Pretty good deal since You’ve already exchanged Your freedom for a taste of life

You must know That society has you strapped down, On the ever-spinning wheel Ready to throw a lethal dart At your heart The moment you Attempt to pull away From the common trend

Society, no longer an enigma But the cruel function of life Put into words No longer a Je ne sais quoi

I am not sorry for The truth I speak Excuse me if I don’t Buy my personality From a Starbucks cup Sprinkled with pumpkin spice And yes it sounds nice But is it truly worth the price Of soul-sucking vanity Money buys cliches And damsels wanting To be undressed.

The unfortunate mistranslation Of fruitless cries For midnight moans.

Shall I go on?

This is our society.

A shadow of its legacy Now nothing more An endless stream of Barbie and Ken Plastic parts We meltdown to rebuild again.

30 | Kids in Print 2018

Kamryn Jenkins Age 16

Eye on the City / Kaylee Edwards, Age 9

Kids in Print 2018 | 31

The Voyage

Bumpety Bump. The sound of carriage wheels rolling along the smooth uneven wooden planks of the wharf pulled by two tired, lean-looking horses awoke the slumbering Estelle May. Inside the small carriage, Estelle was crammed between two ladies carrying a large amount of luggage. The carriage consisted of two small windows, one on either side of the carriage, neither of which Estelle was allowed to look out of.

Estelle knew these ladies very well, for they were her aunts. Aunt Flora and Aunt Rosa were small ladies, about five feet tall, and were very well-dressed and proper. They wore long, tight dresses with lots of lace and frills. Both always carried umbrellas (which they never used) and had large hats with pink and white flowers. Aunt Rosa and Aunt Flora were strict about manners, had lots of rules (most of which they came up with on the spot) and were never seen without a tight, forced smile.

Estelle wore a simple, white dress, knee-length with her light-colored hair flowing down her back, put up by a large bow. She hated wearing fancy things. She hated all the frills and ruffles and bows.

Although she should have been used to them by now, her aunts had been in control of her choice of clothing since the age of four. Nearly seven years had passed and she still treasured the moments when her aunts were gone and her laid-back uncle came to watch her.

Although the carriage left Estelle’s aunts’ house late at night, she could see the sunlight coming through both windows of the carriage. As Estelle snuck a peek out of the small window on the right, she could see a dark shape of what looked like a huge monster with cloth strung from pole to pole and a wooden frame. She did not like the thought of getting inside this huge monster to sail across the water.

Estelle was told she was going on a large ship, to sail to a place called America to meet her mother and father. Her aunts would join her for part of the journey (until they arrived in Ireland) but they were going in a “cabin,” as they called it, and Estelle would stay in the bottom of the big ship with only strangers to accompany her.

“Is that it?” she asked. “Is that the ship we will go on?”

She ducked quickly as she avoided the swat of Aunt Flora’s small hand. Estelle knew when to duck as she had been swatted for seven years now. Aunt Flora was known to punish Estelle and Aunt Rosa was known to tell her sister all the things Estelle had done wrong, such as forgetting to tie her dress when they were in public and other such little things.

“Ma’am, is that our ship?” Estelle tried again, this time remembering her manners.

“Yes, it’s our ship. The Frigate,” answered Aunt Rosa rather matter-of-factly.

“What is the Frigate?” asked Estelle timidly.

She barely missed the swat of Aunt Rosa’s rather large hand. Estelle quickly recovered from the shock that Aunt Rosa hit her, not her sister, Aunt Flora. Aunt Rosa usually winced when her sister hit Estelle and this was the first time Aunt Rosa had hit Estelle.

“All you need to know is that it is going to be your home for the next five weeks,” Aunt Flora replied.

“The next five weeks?” Estelle asked confused.

“If you’re lucky,” answered Aunt Rosa, calmly, with a tight, grim smile plastered on her wrinkled face.

Estelle boarded the ship with a sickened face.

Clare Venn Age 10 32 | Kids in Print 2018

Escape

In the middle of the night, a family crept away from their quarters. John, Elizabeth

and their baby, Robert, were slaves who had come from Africa. They lived in Georgia in 1850, although they were going to be separated soon. John and Elizabeth waited until midnight and quietly took their baby and their clothes. They wore moccasins to be quiet and followed the Big Dipper. They escaped though the dark, dense and hazy forest.

Thankfully, the next day they found Mark, a conductor with the Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad was a group of people who helped slaves escape to the North.

He hid them under some boards in his wagon, a secret compartment. John, Elizabeth and Robert felt like sardines. They were zig-zagging when the slave catchers, with their huge bloodhounds, stopped them. Mark said he had to go to a meeting, so they let him go. First the slave catchers did an inspection, where they found nothing suspicious. After that, Mark went on to the meeting.

He left the meeting and drove John, Elizabeth and Robert to his house near a river. In

the morning, they dashed to the edge of the massive river. Mark had a raft waiting. He said to get on the raft so John, Elizabeth and Robert got on. They felt safe since Mark was their friend now, but a little scared because the ride was bumpy. John and Elizabeth did not want to fall off because they did not know how to swim.

Thankfully, they got across safely. They said “Thank you,” to Mark, who would be their

friend forever.

“You’re welcome,” he said, and then he left with them with another conductor, who

helped John, Elizabeth and Robert get safely to Canada.

Lydia Bothur Age 9

Kids in Print 2018 | 33

Old Brick Wall / Jonathan Allen, Age 12 34 | Kids in Print 2018

Outside My Window The trees sit, the wind rumbles, My grandpa’s car glistens with dew.

The morning sky grows brighter, from a dark midnight blue to a light periwinkle.

The yellow grass is spotted with bits of green.

Porch Light

The neighboring houses awake, Bright lights slowly appearing at their windows.

I spread a welcome mat Of light across the doorstep of

Isra Siddique Age 10

Night welcome welcome we Meet again welcome welcome Please come in.

Nat’lee Jua Age 9

Beloved / Haley Whitelaw, Age 11

Kids in Print 2018 | 35

Owl / Oliver Beets, Age 6 36 | Kids in Print 2018

My Dog Charlie He’s as funny as a clown.

He’s as smart as the mayor of the town.

He’s as brave as a bear.

He is cute as a bunny with its fluffed up hair.

He is gentle like a hummingbird that sings a song.

He is fast like a lion with its mane so long.

His bark is like a tiger’s roar.

He plays sports like a champion who scores.

Regan Ellison Age 8

My Best Friend / Danka Ndubuisi, Age 11

Kids in Print 2018 | 37

The Lost Apple

Where is my apple? I can’t find my apple. My apple is red and juicy. I love it.

So can you find my apple? Wait! I found my apple. I ate my apple.

Sophie Wachtel Age 7

Balloons / Hannah Moftakhar, Age 8 38 | Kids in Print 2018

Queen Cakie / Adena Weinkle, Age 9 Kids in Print 2018 | 39

Lilly Milly Silly Lilly the fairy had a friend named Milly and a friend named Silly. Silly and Milly did what Lilly did, Milly and Lilly did what Silly did, and Lilly and Silly did what Milly did.

Lilly, Milly and Silly did everything together and they were together forever.

The End Sarah Moftakhar Age 7

Serefena the Siren / Liana Viera, Age 10 40 | Kids in Print 2018

I’m a Little Fishy Swimming in the Ocean / Alice Koh, Age 11 Kids in Print 2018 | 41

Kitten Kaboodle / Andrea Robichaud, Age 16 42 | Kids in Print 2018

Kitty Hunter Haiku Kitty hunter sly.

Looking so innocent though.

Sharp claws get the mouse.

Christabelle Campbell Age 9

Fluffy / Lily Griswold, Age 10

Kids in Print 2018 | 43

The Taco Titan / Caleb Geisbert, Age 10 44 | Kids in Print 2018

A Totally Accurate Review of My Cooking

Wonderful appearance. The meatballs perfectly round, the sauce spread evenly over the

stringy spaghetti. Beautiful. Let’s have a taste:

First, the sauce. Mmmm… excellent. The chunks of ingredients are not too big, while

the sauce itself is not too fluid. Delicious. Definitely doesn’t taste like it came out of a jar.

Next, the pasta. Cooked to 100% al dente perfection—the cook guaranteed that this

would be the best dish I have ever tasted. The cook must be brilliant.

Last but not least, the meatballs. The use of spices is excellent; the meat is tender…

but somehow crunchy. Must be some secret ingredient. It would be absurd to think that a chef of such esteem and popularity would let the meatballs be burnt on one side. No, it’s almost absolutely an extra ingredient that this genius chef adds to his meatballs that make them that more je ne sais quoi than other chef’s spaghetti and meatballs. Well, I give this meal all four stars. I don’t think I could have done a better job myself.

Brant Miller Age 13

The Mysterious George Washington / Max Wachtel, Age 7 Kids in Print 2018 | 45

Harry Potter’s Journey / Katie Pham, Age 11

46 | Kids in Print 2018

Decisions Decisions Decisions / Zoë Evans, Age 12

Kids in Print 2018 | 47

What the…? / Katelynn Case, Age 14 48 | Kids in Print 2018

How I Got in Drama Club

I am a third grader at Lake Carolina Elementary School Upper Campus. At the beginning of the school year, it was announced that there would be auditions for people who are interested in drama club. I was interested and picked up an application to join the club. When I got home, my mom filled out the application form for me. Then I thought about what I was going to say at the audition. I rehearsed my lines very well.

On the day of the audition, when it was my turn, I was asked to say the reason why I wanted to be in drama club. I told them I want to be in drama club because I like acting, I am creative and I would like to improve my acting skills. Also, I want to be in drama club because I have two friends who were in the drama club last year and from what they told me I know it would be a great opportunity.

Mrs. Jackson suddenly appeared and I knew it was time to start the audition. I had butterflies in my tummy. I had to act out my part.

I said “Excuse me. You startled me just now. Why are you grinning like that?”

She responded: “Because I am the Cheshire Cat” I said all my lines loud and clear.

I moved my arms around and put it into action.

When I finished there were still a lot more people because I was the first one to audition. So I went to the waiting room where I did my homework quietly because talking would make me lose points. I then did some artwork when I was finished with my homework.

I was very anxious about getting the results. I wanted to be in the drama club so badly. The following Friday night, my dad got home and we had a little talk. When we were almost done, he told me that I got in drama club. I was so excited that I screamed “YAY!” and “YES!”

I was very happy. I could not wait to get to act in Alice in Wonderland.

Debby Adeboye Age 7

Kids in Print 2018 | 49

Before You Sing / Maysie Erwin, Age 10 50 | Kids in Print 2018

Hollywood

Have you seen the Hollywood sign? The Hollywood sign looks as big as a 50 foot skyscraper.

It shines in the sun. At night, lights shine on the Hollywood sign. You can see the stars twinkling.

Have you been to California?

My sister and I said goodbye to the Hollywood sign and we went exploring on Sunset

Boulevard. Then we saw a concert going on. So I said to my sister, “Can we go see if they have extra tickets?”

The person in the ticket booth said, “I have two tickets for free.”

He said, “Take them.” So we did. My sister and I asked who we were going to see. He said it

was a surprise. Then we went in. It was not a concert. It was the red carpet!

The red carpet was over 30 feet long. The cameras were flashing as the stars were walking by.

The actresses were wearing long, bright colorful dresses and the men were wearing tuxedos. We did not have bright colorful dresses but we had short dresses that were colorful. Then the people started to ask, “Who made your dresses?”

My sister said, “It was me and my little sister. We made our own dresses and they are cool

and unique.” Then we said, “Thanks.”

Then we went in and took our seats. It started and the host was Nick Cannon. He said “Hey,

everybody! I’m going to pull a name out of a hat and that audience member will have to sing or dance.”

He pulled out our names so my sister and I went up. He said to do a dance battle and we did.

My sister won but it was fun. And that was my trip to Hollywood.

Madison King Age 10

Untitled / Tyler Blake, Age 12

Kids in Print 2018 | 51

The Serpent

Zheng pressed hard on the walls around him. He coiled his body, then sprung out,

trying to break the pale white. He flicked his tongue out, but all he felt were the walls. He had been trapped in this place for almost a year, and he had finally grown strong enough to escape. Two shadows passed over the wall. One began to writhe around and wiggle to convey a message.

“It’s hatching!” she said.

“What about the other one?” the male, a partner to the female, said.

Zheng tried to sense his sister, but he couldn’t through the walls. He pressed hard,

and finally it gave a satisfying crack. He pushed some eggshells away and wiggled out.

He whipped his tongue around, perceiving this new open space. The two snakes, Mother and Father, were staring at him. One, Mother, had pink scales and green eyes. Father had yellow scales and brown eyes.

Zheng slithered over to a puddle to see himself. He had luminescent white scales

all over his body and golden amber eyes. He looked back at his egg. It was as white as his scales. The second one, his sister, was a dark purple egg. He looked back at his parents.

“Hello, son,” Mother said in writhing movements. Zheng whipped his tongue

around again, to sense the entire world around him. His mother loved him immediately, but his father viewed him as a tool. There was something else watching him, from the shadows. It surrounded them completely, keeping its eyes trained on him. “Soon, little warrior. We will meet. The pearl will be mine before it is yours, and you’ll never become the dragon of the light!” it said soundlessly. It left, softening the shadows around them.

Jacob Peterson-Griffin Age 12

52 | Kids in Print 2018

Mushroom Madness / Lillian Mirosavich, Age 11

Kids in Print 2018 | 53

All Romans

Caesar’s wife screamed horrifically for she had a dream that her husband would perish.

Suddenly, she glimpsed everything that would happen to him. It left her feeling nervous, scared and tense. In the morning Caesar’s esteemed friend Brutus, who was a member of the Senate, arrived to escort Caesar to the Forum, and unknown to Caesar, his own doom. As they were leaving, Caesar’s terrified wife fainted. The servants carried her to her bedchamber, but she was frightened beyond reason. Her husband would die that night and she was the only one who knew it.

Had he listened to his wife or heeded other warnings, we might all be Romans today.

Caesar’s avoidable death was most likely one of the goriest recorded deaths in history. On March 15, 44 BC as Caesar sat on his golden throne, the senators came closer and closer. Little did he know, they were all concealing knives. First, one senator quickly stabbed him, like a viper striking. The rest of the disloyal group followed his example. Even his cherished friend, Brutus fell on Caesar.

“Et tu Brutus?” In Caesar’s hand was an unread note warning him of the plot. No one

knows who wrote it. If he had read the note, Roman history would have taken a drastically different path. That date, March 15, 44 BC forever changed the world.

Colin Sapienza Age 11

54 | Kids in Print 2018

I Am Sofie Hansen

“Next!” I caught myself in the middle of a short breath, realizing that the person was calling for me. I forced a smile and ran to the tall, skinny, professional-looking man.

“Where are you from?” he asked, sternly with without any expression on his face.

I tried to make myself as tall as him, standing on the tips of my toes and holding my chin up high. This man, he was so tall and scary. After all my efforts, I realized that we would never meet eyes. He smelled of stale bread and sounded like thunder. I remember when I used to be afraid of thunder, but I was not little Sofie anymore.

“Norway,” I muttered. The words barely made it off the dry tips of my freezing cold lips. I had butterflies the size of carriage wheels in my stomach. I felt like little Sofie again, being afraid of thunder.

“What? Finland?” The tall man looked about twenty, for he had not one grey streak in his dirty blonde hair.

“Norway!” I felt all the anger pour out of me being so poor and him so rich. I bit my lip. I had already been through very sickening ship and train rides. I was in the “golden” America, why should I have to go through a medical exam? These Americans confused me.

The tall person pointed to a door.

“Good luck!” he said sarcastically.

“Next!” A sick mother and a tiny baby and came forward. I pushed the creaky door open. I felt so bad for that tiny, tiny baby. His mother wouldn’t make it out of the room and I was about to step in.

When I opened the door, I couldn’t believe it. The room smelled even stronger of stale bread than the tall man. There were dirty towels everywhere. There were rows and rows of people who looked like they were dying.

“Age?” asked an older man dressed in gloves and a long white coat. I took a deep breath and said, “Nine.” Without answering, the doctor pulled out a shiny, small stick and used it to pull up my eyelid. It hurt so very much! Then he looked in my ears, mouth and nostrils. He made me do other weird things like take off my shoes and stand on a bulky box.

He, like the tall man, pointed to a door. I knew that if he drew chalk marks on my coat that would mean I was sick, but much to my relief, he did not.

I slowly opened the door and breathed in the fresh air. I carefully stepped outside.

I felt so relieved to be out in the open, smelling the fresh grass and feeling the damp soil. I heard shrieks of tiny babies. As the cries stopped, I smiled the biggest smile and thought, “Now I am Sofie Hansen of New York.”

Rowan Bullington Age 10

Kids in Print 2018 | 55

Enlightened / Teddy Gadsden, Age 18

56 | Kids in Print 2018

A Map of Roho / Haddon Haste, Age 9

Many people made this edition of Kids in Print possible and we each worked hard to make this publication the best yet.

PrintSouth Printing / Families, teachers and school staff / Darion McCloud Bonita Peeples / Compton Bailey / Richland Library / Programs and Partnerships Marketing and Digital Strategies / Youth Services staff / Richland Library Sandhills Kids In Print Selection Committee Emily Johansson / Heather McCue / Jennifer Naimzadeh / The Children’s Room / Teen Center

Arborville / Logan Rollins, Age 11