Anthology

School

by Lexi A.
4th Grade

In a place, not so far, in a time not long ago,

Lived a family of mice, in a class, very low.

They sat at their desks, whiskers well brushed,

Then the teacher came in, told her pupils to hush.

"Oh children, you will learn and learn you will!”

“If you live high, or low, or in a cotton mill!"

"Now shall we begin, there is no time to waste”

“Lets begin right now, without any haste!"

And begin she did, and taught the mice well.

If you ask the mice, here's what they'll tell.

"In a place, not so far, in a time, not long ago,”

“Lived a family of mice, in a class, very low."

Oh the school! How they yearned for school.

Not to cook, or to read, or to swim in a pool.

To end this real well, not leaving uncool,

Good day to you all, and, hey go to school!!!

(Note: That ruler is used for illustration. Do not use that ruler in school, or you'll get into trouble.)

Dear Me

by Phoebe N.
4th Grade

Dear Me,

We've faced good and bad. I'm kind of bummed that we haven't changed the world. Yet. Don't worry though, I'm working on it. But first I've gotta get us through the rest of fourth grade. How's life like in your time? Do we have a job yet? Mom won't let us get a job yet. So I'm probably gonna have to live off birthday money. Wait... Do we still have birthdays in your time? Also, did we get any better at drawing? If not, I'll cross out "artist" in the list of things to do to change the world.

Love,

Me

P.S. Does Mom ever let us dye our hair? If so, what color!

-- -- --

Dear Me,

Still haven't changed the world. Ughhh. Hopefully by the time you finally write me back I'll bring the good news. Or maybe I'll just tell you myself. Depends if time travel was invented.

Question time!

• Do we get another dog other than Bamboo and Olive?

• When do Bamboo and Olive die

Wait don't answer that last question. I don't want the answer.

Love,

Me

Scarlet’s Story

A Novel by Maisie D.
4th Grade

A complete 9-chapter fantasy novel with original world-building. Click here to read it.

Seasons

by Grace W.
4th Grade

Spring
I am from the warm breeze of Spring.
I am from the lush, green grass lightly tickling my legs.
I am from the faint smell of rain.
I am from the refreshing air.
I am from the vibrant colors.
I am from the sunny days.
I am from the rainy days, indoors, making crafts, and playing games.
I am from the blooming flowers.
I am from the gentle weather.
I am from the delicious, juicy, and red strawberries.
I am from the energetic feeling of spring.

Summer
I am from the warm air of Summer.
I am from the cool water splashing on me in the pool.
I am from the dry, warm sand under my feet.
I am from the humid weather.
I am from the joyful feeling.
I am from the salty, cool ocean water splashing over me.
I am from the refreshing, cold lemonade, cooling my body down from the hot days of Summer.

Fall
I am from the cool wind, getting colder and colder.
I am from the sound of leaves crunching under my feet.
I am from the icy, cold frost on the windshield of a car.
I am from drinking apple cider.
I am from reading a book, indoors from the chilly weather.
I am from the colorful leaves of Fall, blinding my eyes.

Winter
I am from the fluffy, cold, and white snow of Winter.
I am from bundling up in hats and gloves.
I am from the cold, icy wind blowing hard across my face.
I am from sledding down hills.
I am from drinking warm hot chocolate.
I am from the cold ice of Winter.

Seasons
I am from the seasons that make me smile,
The seasons that make everything possible,
The seasons that I love.

I Am From

by Willa E.
4th Grade

I am from late nights snuggling with Charlie

with a hot cup of tea and a book in my hand

as I drift off to sleep.

I know I am from happy days, fun, joyful mornings

with the whole family so warm and cozy

on a beautiful weekend morning.

I am from fun summer days in the pool

while feeling the hot sun on my back

and as my mom says, "Put on some sunscreen."

I say, "Yes." already reaching for the bottle.

I am from cold winter nights while thunder strikes.

I'm all cozy in my little bed as I go to my father.

He knows I can't sleep and says, "Hop into bed little Willa."

As he strokes my back and holds my hand I drift right off to sleep.

I am from fun lacrosse games while my team cheers me on

as I go straight to the goal to shoot.

When the game is over we have just won and we celebrate

with ice cream dripping down our faces.

I am from summers in Maine

as I ride my bike over the golf course to go see my cousins

and say my good goodbye.

I am from long fun math lessons

playing fun fraction games or even a good game of war.

I am from fun Friday nights with a friend over

as we laugh while we eat popcorn

having the best time of our lives.

I am from fun G.U.M lessons

as we learn about Latin roots and true goddesses.

I am from coming down in the morning,

a wonderful welcomer jumping

all over, the most excited to see me.

I am from big holidays

such as Christmas as I see all family members

I haven't seen in ages.

I am from nights

as I drift off to sleep

knowing the morning will come soon.

I am from beautiful sunsets

as I sit on my grandparents' porch

watching the deer creep by.

I am from listening to the beautiful birds chirp saying,

"Good night."

I am from Saturday nights watching football

with my mother and father

as the Jets go down for a touchdown.

I am from nights sitting in bed with my mom

as we read one of our favorite books.

I am from mornings waking up my siblings as they all say,

"Go away." I never go away.

They might call me annoying and same with me,

but I still love them dearly.

The World Is Flat

by Eve V.
4th Grade

Kids the world is flat and you know that it is
not a sphere in fact it is a square as flat as a
pancake your teachers lie when they say
you can't fall off the edge of the earth when
you do fall off the edge of the world you will
tumble and stumble off the edge of the world
and then go splat so children do not get too
close to the edge so here's the lesson the
world is flat and you know that and in fact a
square so remember this fact when
someone asks you what shape is the world

I Am Nora M.

by Nora M.
4th Grade

I am Nora M.

I am from a mountain that brings hope

From a blanket right next to the fireplace

From people who dreamed of new beginnings

I am from my friends

My family

And my dog

From a book that keeps me up all night

From people who support and care for me

From laughing as I eat ice cream

From light pink and blue

From long cold nights in the winter and short warm nights in the summer

From feeling safe in my home

From never giving up when it is easy to quit

From the water

And the snow

The leaves

And the flowers

I am from Greenwich, Connecticut

I am from being left handed

From Starbucks

From bullies

From friends

From people I can trust

And can't

I am from not belonging

From not being perfect

From my school

From crying

I am from the crisp summer air

And the dry winter

I am from math

And writing

From bravery

From jokes that make me spit out my drink

I am from love, not hate

I am Nora M.

ROOTS
(a story in progress)

by Teagan C.
4th Grade

ROOTS is about a young girl named Chole. Her mom left to live in the city when Chole was only seven, and she was staying to take care of her grandma. That's when she was going into middle school and she was dealing with bullies. They planted a tree saying that the tree will always be there shortly after her grandma died. Then the villain Mairo tried to blow up her house including the tree it expanded his city. How will Chole stop him.

This is my life, my way!

by Catherine F.
4th Grade

I am from a clear beach and a cool pool,
On an island where nobody is cruel,
a splash all day and always rule,
I am from a hand me down to a give away,
Because we grow up big, strong and in our own way,
I am from a play all day and sleep all night,
and from siblings that sometimes fight,
I am with animals that I'll never fear,
Because I am always near,
I am from a big family tree,
Where everyone is wild and free
I am from giving great a gift
And from people that will lift
I am from good friends
And also good ends.
I am Catherine F.

Dreams

by Sadie R.
7th Grade

When you are tired you can escape to this land

A world with magic we can’t understand

It is the best way to know how you feel

Without your brain making your emotions more of an appeal

What you show on the outside can be controlled

But inside emotions are loud, proud, and bold

In this place, you’re subconsciously in complete control

As your body resets, so does your mind and your soul

This place is fantastic but also scary

It depends on how you’re feeling on the contrary

But most of the time 80%

You won’t remember them leaving you not content

So if you ever don’t understand how you feel sometimes

You can travel to an alternate reality, one of many kinds

You can escape the world and yet be in your own head

You get this sensation every night when you’re in bed

I am from the Seasons.

by Sophia C.
4th Grade

I am from the seeds I planted in the garden with my dad, I am from the cold water from the hose spraying against my cold feet. I am from the rush in the morning to the airport before the sun wakes up. I am from finally getting to the villa in Turks and Caicos with my family and cousins by my side. I am from the salt water filling up my mouth. I am from the sand that never washes out. I am from the late nights doing karaoke and charades. I am from bottles I give to my brother. From the sunglasses I forgot at home. I am from pictures on the beach at sunset. I am from early mornings alone outside. I am from walking around the beach when no one is awake but the waves and the birds. I am from packing up and leaving. I am from sad goodbyes to the beach. I am from the plane. I am from making Imovies of our trips. I am from going home and saying goodbye to cousins. I am from packing my backpack for school after break. I am from Spring. I am from saying “goodbye til September!” and finally leaving school. I am from relaxing in bed until my brother comes and gets me. I am from splashing from cannonballing in the pool. I am from swimming under floaties. I am from freezing cold pool water. I am from summer camps, sweating, singing, and swimming. Performing at music camps on Fridays, the bright lights blinding me, yet I sing on. I am from hot days having playdates with old and new friends. I am from hanging out at home because it is scorching outside. I am from carefree days, blasting my favorite songs the loudest I can. I am from dinners with my family and my moms side of the family, the same ones I spend the break in spring with. I am from arguing about age differences from 17-13-10-1. I am from playing with my brother and begging my mom not to put him down for his nap. I am from reading until my eyes shut hard. I am from summer work I did too late. I am from family, friends, and fun. I am from Summer. I am from starting school after an exciting summer. I am from missing old friends, but making new ones. I am from counting down to September 9, my birthday. I am from making a wishlist, changing it again and again. I am from trying to remember how to do everything. I am from the night before my birthday, telling myself to wake up early. I am from waking up to balloons. I am from running downstairs trying not to wake up my brother, my parents filming beside me. I am from stopping so abruptly when I see all the presents. I am begging my parents to let me open more than two in the morning. I am from charging in the door when I get home from school and ripping open wrapping paper. I am from hugs, kisses, tears, and cheers. I am from thanking and squealing. I am from ordering Halloween costumes and planning family costumes. I am from trick or treating with close friends. I am from eating candy with my friends going back to my house. I am from trading candy and stuffing as much as i can fit in my mouth. I am from waking up early to make my mom breakfast on her birthday. I am from cards, and gifts. I am from Fall. I am from leaving school for winter break. I am from packing for ski trips. I am from cold air. I am from the 8 hour flights. I am from food on the plane. I am from time differences. I am from waking up late. I am from waking up early. I am from skiing, I am from the wind whipping my face and hair as I ski down a black diamond, spraying powder everywhere. I am from gummies on the ski lifts my dad gives to me. I am from rushed breakfasts and racing to the ski locker rooms. I am from deja vu when I pass the magic carpets. I am from staring down the mountain i’m about to ski down; afraid, but ready and brave. I am from laughing, I am from going too fast down the hill. I am from sadly leaving the slope everyday. I am from planes back home for Christmas. I am from family feasts. I am from Christmas Shows my cousins (who I go to vacation on spring break with) put on for the parents. I am from laughing and decorations. I am from dinner on Christmas Eve. I am from saying goodnight. I am from Santa traps. I am from pretending to sleep and instead writing in my diary and reading. I am from waking up at 4:00am then reading. I am from waking my cousins up. I am from quietly going downstairs at 7:00am with my cousins to look and inspect the presents. I am from videotaping going downstairs. I am from eating breakfast before the parents come down. I am from getting annoyed that the parents are taking so long. I am from finally tearing open bows on wrapping paper and screaming when I get what I really wanted. I am from sleepovers that go on for days. I am from memories from the whole year. I am from Winter.

Colors

by Lily A.
4th Grade

You see me. Head down, usually absorbed into a book, not looking up for anything but people who make me feel seen. My friends. I have brown hair and brown eyes. You may think that I am a colorless and lifeless person, but no. There are so many colors inside me that you cannot see without getting to know the real me. Even if you know me quite well, you still may not see them. Whenever I am anxious or sad, big red, bright colors swirl and wrap around me, like they are trying to discourage and overwhelm me. However, when I see a calming sunset, the soft, pastel colors stay with me and save me from bad dreams, and calm me when I need it. Sometimes I see the colors in my dreams, big and scary, or soft and calming. Colors are always bubbling inside me, making everything I see full of life and exciting. Colors save me. Colors represent me. Colors are me.

Rainbow

by Phoebe N.
4th Grade

I'm red

I'm orange

I'm yellow

I'm green

I'm blue

I'm purple

I'm pink

Together

We make a rainbow

Purple

by Phoebe N.
4th Grade

Everyone is PINK!

But I'm Purple.

I'm not an everybody

I'm a somebody

I'm not afraid to be

even purple

because I matter

Ode To an Awesome Teacher

by Tolani T.
5th Grade

Oh the way you make me smile

I will remember you for a while

You make me smile all the time

Every poem you write it make a great rhyme

As happy I am to have you as my teacher

When ever I write a poetry book you will be the main feature

Whenever I look at you I just can't help to smile

That means that you will be in my brain a while

I love you so much and I always will

Because when it is writing time I get a thrill

You make everyone feel good about themselves

😀

When you always tell very funny stories

You are the best teacher ever

I will never forget you never never never ♥️♥️P

Us

by Kiron T.
7th Grade

Happy

by Charles B.
5th Grade

Alone

by Shaika H.
6th Grade

The rain beat down on the large leaf that the young orangutan held overhead. While holding the large elephant leaf in one hand the orangutan hugged himself with his free hand. The miserable, dark, and humid weather left an empty and unsatisfied feeling in the young orangutan. He sat hunched on top of a cold, wet, and rough log that gave him no comfort. His eyes wandered searching for a familiar face. This was to no avail, though, as it only fortified the feelings of loneliness he was already consumed by. He was alone.

Photo Credit: Andrew Suryono was about to take his camera away due to the rain until he noticed an orangutan using a leaf as an umbrella. He quickly snapped this amazing shot, which got him an honorable mention in a 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest.