Arctic Poems by Tara Gopalan

Ice in the Arctic and Antarctic circles is currently melting at a terrifying rate. The ocean level is rising, engulfing islands, and stray pieces of ice caps often trap young sea animals. Animals like seals, whales, and polar bears are all deeply affected by the absence of land and the warming of the ocean. These short poems are to express the grief and fear these animals would feel because of their home being taken away. 

My childhood felt free

Now I struggle to swim, breathe

A lone seal, dying

I feel sickly warmth

Engulfing me, starving me

Where did my pod go?

There’s no space to prowl

On the icy land I walked

Gone into the sea

Animals that depend on land to help them escape from predators are dying, starving the predators and killing them as well. Warmer oceans mean less plankton and fish. Young animals sometimes get left behind when their elders leave for better places. These poems were intended to put the reader in the places of these animals in an attempt to inspire change, so here are some things you can do to stop the ice caps from melting!

• Use less fossil fuels

• Drilling fossil fuels out of the ground takes a lot of energy and releases chemicals into the air. These chemicals contribute to climate change. The less fossil fuels we use, the less we need to drill.

• Consider using solar panels in your home!

• Use battery-powered cars!

• Don’t unnecessarily drive places!

• Eat less beef: Cows release a lot of methane, which contributes to the warming.

Overall, all aspects of global warming are connected. Raising awareness is one of the best ways to help stop ice caps from melting! The animals will thank you. 

Four Books for When You Don’t Know What to Read Next By Samantha Lozinski

Sometimes the most stressful part of being an avid reader is the worry about what book will be your next read. So to hopefully solve some of that worry, here are four of my favorite books that I don’t hear about a lot.

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

What’s it about: Autumn and Finn used to be inseparable, but times have changed. Autumn now has her close group of friends and her boyfriend, Jamie. Not many people pay attention to them. Meanwhile, Finn is the person everyone wants to be around. Even though they both try to avoid each other as much as possible, sometimes they are still forced to be around each other's presence at dinners since their moms are so close. Around August, things will change drastically forever, and Autumn can’t help but wonder that maybe things should be different. Maybe she should be with him.

Why I love it: Even though you might feel a little heartbroken, it is so worth it. This book will keep you reading just “one more chapter” every time you finish the last. 

If He Had Been with Me - Amazon

The Lake by Natasha Preston

What’s it about: Best friends Esme and Kayla are back at Camp Pine Lake as counselors-in-training after being former campers a few years ago. Esme loves being around the little kids and helping-especially the girls in her cabin- but that brings back good memories gone bad for Esme. Esme and Kayla did something awful when they were campers, that they want nobody to ever find out. But when they get a message that says THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS. The terrible thing they do might just resurface along with the chaos happening around camp.

Why I love it: This book continuously throws shocking and (sometimes disgusting) things in the character's path the whole time, making you never want to stop reading. 

The Lake - Amazon

The Island by Natasha Preston 

What’s it about: Jagged Island is a private amusement park. Liams, James, Will, Ava, Harper, and Paisley are all social media influencers who have a large following on social media. They have been invited to this private amusement park to get the VIP treatment of a lifetime for an exclusive weekend before the park officially opens. When the teens arrive, they are ready to create posts and videos of their jam-packed itinerary for their loyal followers. But little do they know, that what is supposed to be an exclusive weekend at an island-amusement park for the wealthy (or highly influential) would turn out to be an “exclusive” horror story.

Why I love it: This book leaves your heart beating and wanting to know what move the influencers will make next in order to (hopefully) survive.

The Island - Amazon

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

What’s it about: Libby Strout is ready for a new change. High School, new friends, love, and every single thing life has to offer for the new Libby Strout. But Libby hasn’t exactly had an easy past. She was once named “America's fattest teen”. Now she knows that all people see when they look at her is how she looks, and life hasn’t been a fun ride trying to cope with her mother's death, which sent a chain reaction of a heartbroken father and grief. Jack Masselin is also going through something confusing. Even though he acts cool, charming, and hilarious, he can’t shake past the fact that he can’t recognize faces-even his own family. All he can do is try to play it cool. But when a cruel high school game takes place, it results in Jack and Libby having to be in community service and group counseling together, forcing an unlikely pair to go through rough times together. 

Why I love it: You will fall in love with Libby and Jack’s character and enjoy the friendship that they have together, even with the hard topics covered in the book.

Holding Up the Universe - Amazon

FAKE NEWS by Abby and Serena and Henry Cleveland

Abby: Hello, this is WEEKFANS. I’m Abbioli Cow!

Serena: What do you mean, this FAKE NEWS.

Abby: It’s literally the same thing! I just rearranged the letters! Chill!

Serena: Uh. . ok sure! Wait… hold up… WE’RE DOING A NEWS CHANNEL?

Director: Cut!

(accidentally leaves microphone and camera on)

(it was because all of the crew quit after being yelled at by the director)

Director: You’re not supposed to argue!  This is a NEWS CHANNEL!

Abby: But-–hmph!! Arghhhh! 

Serena: But I thought it was fake news…

Director: NO IT’S NOT!

(realizes mic and camera are on)

Director: TURN THE MICROPHONE AND CAMERA OFF!

*beep*

(two minutes later)

*camera zooms into focus*

Abby: Hey Serena, I wasn’t at school on day 5 ‘cause I was sick. Can I borrow your notes for science class because we have a review class next time and a test next next time and I need to study so I have to study using the notes and—

Serena: NO.

Abby: WHAT WHY???? YOU—

Director: JUST START ALREADY!

Serena: Hmph.

Director: 3, 2, 1, strawberry!

Abby and Serena: ?????

Director (screaming): YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO START NOW!

Abby: Ok, ok, hmph! Welcome to WEEKFANS. I’m—

Serena: She’s a beagle cow!

Director: CUT!

Abby: I AM NOT A BEAGLE COW! I AM ABIGAIL CAO!

Serena: No!

Abby: Yes!

Serena: No!

Abby: Yes!

Serena: No!

Abby: Yes!

Director: Stop yapping! I didn’t order a yappacino! (throws mug of coffee which bounces off wall and hits him in the face)

Director: (collapses unconscious)

(Automated voice starts)

Any stunt of this news was performed by professionals. Please do not take any information in this news seriously and please go home safe so that these actors don’t have to take blame.

Abby: CALL SOMEONE SERENA CALL SOMEONE

Serena: *taps some numbers on her phone

(Automated voice starts again)

Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice message system. *censored* - is not available. At the tone, please don’t leave a message. *beep*

Serena: Uhh.. I’ll try it again.

(Automated voice starts a third time)

Please stop calling *censored*. They do not want to talk to you. Now please, shoo.

Abby: WHO DID YOU EVEN CALL????

Serena: Uh… the dentist?

Abby: NO

Serena: Yes

Abby: NO!

Serena: Yes!

Abby: NO!

Serena: YES!

THE END

Abby: SERENA! GET OVER HERE NOW!

Serena: Uhh… I’m good!

(in the background a door slams shut)

Abby: SERENA!!! Ni Ben!

(Automated voice starts again)

Please note, there is NO PART 2.

FAKE NEWS PT 2

Abby: Hello, welcome back to the second EVER episode of…WEEKFANS!! YAY!!!!

(Serena quit her job)

Abby: Ok, we need to get Serena back. So, using my ‘sources’, I know that she is at her house in Hawaii watching Hamilton right now. Please, kindly give me a moment to drag her back here!

(Sudden realization)

Abby: What time is it? It’s seven AM, so… IT’S ONLY 2 AM IN HAWAII! Hooray! Added bonus!

*calls Serena*

Serena: Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice messaging system. *censored* is not available. At the tone, please don’t leave a message.

Abby: I know this is you, SERENA!

Serena: No it’s not!

*Abby hangs up and flies to Serena’s house in Hawaii*

(Abby and Serena start screaming in chinese)

Abby: 你给我回来！！（GET BACK HERE NOW!)

Serena: 不！(NO!)

Abby: 你快回来！(GET OVER HERE FASTER!)

Serena: 我就不！(I WILL NEVER)

(Meanwhile Henry Cleveland enters Serena’s house)

Henry: Uhh… What????

*pulls up Google Translate on his phone*

*More screaming in Chinese from Serena and Abby*

Google Translate Voice: No! Yes! No! Yes! We need to continue the news! No we don’t!

Henry: Ah. So YOU want this and YOU want that and…DID SERENA JUST CALL ABBY A COW?! AND ABBY JUST CALLED SERENA– I mean… not gonna lie… a bit harsh. 

Abby and Serena: %@#&@!%#

Henry: Excuse me, that is not appropriate language!

*Abby and Serena stop and glare at him

*Abby and Serena look at each other

*Abby opens the door and Serena grabs Henry, shoves him out, and slams the door shut

Abby: *smiles pleasantly* Anyway, shall we continue?

*Abby and Serena continue screaming

(Henry is pressed up against the window and peers through)

CRASH!!!!

*Abby and Serena turn around to see Henry on the floor and a broken window next to him.* Henry: Woah there, that is not nice!

Abby (pleasantly): Shall we give Henry a one-way ticket to Greenland?

Serena (pleasantly smiles): Why, that is the best idea you have ever had!

Abby: Thank you so much!

Serena: Also the first best idea you ever made!

Abby: And then along the way we should go back to our WEEKFANS studio!

Serena: Fine.

Henry: B-but-but-but ok first why GREENLAND? And I also wanna go to WEEKFANS!

Abby and Serena: *laugh villainously*

(big fanfare plays)

THE END!

*There is totally not a Part 3 ;)

TOTALLY

Eldagrass Gootz by Sean Fulmer

Eldagrass Gootz was a D1 prospect in the basketball world until his grades started plummeting in hybrid school. (Hybrid school is a school for D1 basketball players like Eldagrass Gootz). Mason, Gootz’s neighbor, encounters Eldagrass in Hybrid Heights and Gootz destroys him and gets arrested. He tries to escape with his D1 basketball powers but gets caught. What will he do now? Find out in Part 1…

The Tale of the Truck With the Vanity Plate 8BB8B88 and its Driver by Torsten Bilen

Chapter 1

One day, a man named Bobby Smack bought a car. It was a nice little red pickup truck. One week later he went to the Boise DMV. He did all the paperwork, and then said, 

“Wait! Before you give me the new permanent license plate, I want a vanity!” 

“You want a vanity plate?” the DMV guy said. “What do ya’ want it to say? Am3r1c4?” 

“No. I want it to say 8BB8B88.” 

“8B88BB8?” 

“No! 8BB8B88.”

“8BB8B88?”

“Yes!”

So Bobby got his vanity plate. And it read out 8BB8B88. Now you are probably wondering why little Bobby wanted his license plate to read 8BB8B88. Well it was so he could confuse the police. So Bobby Smack headed out onto the highway. While en route to his destination, Coeur d’Alene, he crused at 95 mph until he ran into an Idaho State Police officer. The officer flashed his lights and started to pursue him. However, when the officer tried to run his license plate, it didn’t go well.

“What the heck is that guy’s plate number? 8B8… No. How the **** am I supposed to read that! Calling all units I need backup!” Soon a police helicopter joined the pursuit. 

“I can’t read that either!” yelled the helicopter pilot into his radio.

Chapter 2

After pursuing for over 10 minutes, and 4 other cars joining the chase, no one had managed to successfully read his license plate. So they terminated the pursuit.

“Yes!” yelled little Bobby. “I have avoided the police with my awesome vanity plate!” But only 2 days later, Bobby Smack had to head back home. While heading back, Bobby stopped in Caldwell to refill his car with gas. After he had filled up the truck, he peeled out of the parking lot, leaving a giant number 11 on the road in the process. There just so happened to be the sheriff from the Caldwell Police Department getting back in his car after grabbing a doughnut at the gas station. He noticed little Bobby do this, and started to pursue him. Now you see, the sheriff was 59 years old, but he had the best glasses you could imagine. 

“8BB8B88” said the sheriff. “Why would I have expected anything different from someone who just left rubber on the road in front of a police officer, a sheriff at that.” Now the car the sheriff was driving wasn’t a Crown Victoria or a Chevy Tahoe, or even a Ford Explorer. It was a Dodge Charger SRT Redeye Jailbreak, with a supercharged 6.2 liter HEMI V8, boasting 807 horsepower. The sheriff tapped the gas and he flew to 45 mph in about 3 seconds. He turned on his lights. 

Little Bobby said “Oh no, he’s on to me!” Bobby put his foot to the floor and passed 80 mph. But the Jailbreak sped past and cut him off with ease. Bobby braked hard and hung a left going straight through a red light and a traffic filled intersection. The sheriff drifted over the sidewalk, narrowly avoiding some pedestrians, and zipped on the westbound twenty-second street. He then floored it and within ten seconds he was back on little Bobby’s tail. Little Bobby looked back at the Charger, lights blaring, and when he looked forward he saw a tree.

Chapter 3

Poor little Bobby smacked straight into that tree at 117 mph. However, because of the speed, when he flew into the tree he just took it out. Then he flew into a brick building, and blasted through it in a fraction of a second, and, with the sheriff still following him, he flew out the back and into another tree, which he ricocheted off of, and smacked straight into a garbage can, which sent him flying. He ended up getting stuck in yet another tree. The sheriff called the Caldwell S.W.A.T. team, and the Caldwell Fire Department, and the Caldwell E.M.T.

“Ow!” said poor Bobby Smack. He turned around to see the back half of his little red truck gone, and the path of destruction he left behind.

“Driver! Exit the vehicle!” said the sheriff over the P.A. system.

“I would, but I am stuck 25 feet high in a tree!” said Bobby. After 6 minutes, the fire department and the E.M.T.s had arrived. They got Bobby out of the truck and, after verifying that he was ok, sent him to jail. As for the truck, which was completely totaled having lost its hood, passenger side door, bed, and all the windows, was sent to a scrapyard. However, two months later some of the metal from the truck was used to make a few parts for a brand new sports car.

The End

PFMS Times Presents…Cooperstown by Nakula Balachandran and Cooper Leitzell

NOTE: This story is not meant to offend any people named Cooper.

Chapter 1: The gloomy night

One day in Cooperstown old man Cooper was sitting on his bench outside of his house. Old man Cooper used to play baseball and Cooperstown was the place where the baseball hall of shame is. Old Man Cooper was in the hall of shame in fact, and that is why he lived here. He had heard that Cooperstown was cursed and zombies came out at night but instead of brains they wanted coke. He had never thought of it until tonight…

Chapter 2: The realization 

A grumpy old day was what Old Man Cooper called this day. In fact, he called any day a grumpy old day. But this one was different…This one particular day the Coopers(zombies)decided to come out and as I said, Coopers liked coke and unfortunately, Old Man Cooper was drinking it.

The battle:

Old man Cooper had to think fast. He went to his refrigerator and opened the fridge. He looked inside and saw that there was a 12 pack. He thought: Yes I have enough! What old man Cooper didn’t realize was that there were 13 Coopers.  He ran outside and threw his pack of Coke. He saw one Cooper still coming for him. He looked at the Coke in his hand and with quick thinking and mixed emotions threw the can. He watched as the Coke flew through the air and landed in the Coopers mouth. He had been saved!

Epilogue

Old man Cooper would never forget the day he saved his life but there was one thing that changed…He now liked Sprite. But as we all know;or don’t. Is that old man Cooper moved to state college and the thing he didn’t know was that the zombies here liked Sprite.

Soon after…

Old man Cooper had gained his spot in the zombie killer spot for State college but something else he didn’t know was that he would be getting many more.

True Born Chapter 4: Spirit Pack by Rachel Turner and Josephine Chlemy

Chapter IV: Spirit Pack

Finn looked down at his feet. “What?” He gasped. “ WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!” Finn shouted. 

“Calm down,” Soul said, “You're just half wolf. A werewolf.” 

“A WHAT?” Finn shouted. Calm down, Finn, he thought to himself. “Okay,” he said, a little more calm.

“So, you are going to have to learn how to speak like a wolf,” Soul said, nodding his head.

“Can I teach him? Can I teach him?” Dream said enthusiastically. 

“Yes, yes, calm down, Dream. You may teach him,” Soul said calmly. “But on one condition.”

“What?” Dream asked with a head tilt. 

“You must show him the Pack, and help him with his name,” Soul replied.

“Okay,” Dream said excitedly. “Let's go, Finn!”

“So… where are we going?” Finn asked, confused.

“You're going to meet your Pack!” Dream replied, practically bouncing around.

“What do you mean my Pack?” Finn asked, still confused.

“You’re our new Alpha, and also you need to have a wolf name!” Dream said. “How do you like the name… Shadow?” she asked, smiling. Finn was shocked.

“It’s… perfect!” he said with glee.

“We lost our Alpha and Luna a moon ago,” Soul said grimly and looked at his paws. “I’ve been leading the Pack since then. But now, you will be our new Alpha!” he said, smiling warmly at Shadow.

***

As they entered the clearing, the wolves turned to look at Shadow. Will they accept me? He thought nervously. The wolves howled happy greetings to Shadow. Phew, he thought and followed Soul and Dream. “Spirit Pack,” Soul addressed the Pack as he hopped up to a mossy tree stump and sat down. “We have found the sacred Purple Eyed Wolf. He is of our ancestors, who also had purple eyes. This wolf is going to be called Shadow, in memory of one of our ancestors. He is going to be our new Alpha.” Soul deliberately avoided saying that Shadow was a werewolf, and not a wolf. The Pack howled their approval. Shadow looked at the Pack shyly and howled back.

“Shadow will be sleeping in the Alpha’s Den, instead of me. Shadow, at midnight tonight, you will be choosing a Beta wolf, or a second in command wolf to you,” Soul finished warmly. As the wolves went to hunt or guard the territory, Soul and Dream led Shadow to his den. When he saw it, he was amazed. It was so big! 

“Who made this?” Shadow asked with wonder.

“Our ancestors!” Dream replied happily.

“What do you mean our ancestors?” Shadow asked, still confused.

“The ancestors I told you about during the Pack meeting,” Soul said. “The ones with the purple eyes.”

“Oh,” Shadow said. “Okay.” He looked around the den. It was a hollow room inside a thicket of brambles. The ground was dusty, from where many paws had been across the years. There was a nest made of moss, the perfect size for a wolf to sleep on.

“We’ll leave you be for now. Come to us if you have any questions!” Soul said as he and Dream left the den.

“And don’t forget about choosing a Beta wolf!” Dream called over her shoulder.

Wow, Shadow thought. This is a lot to take in. He curled up on his moss bed. Do I just sit here and wait for someone to come in and ask me for help with something, or should I decide on who will be the Beta? Shadow wondered as he rested his head on his paws. I don’t even know everybody in the Pack yet… This is all so overwhelming. At once, he knew who was going to be the Beta. He walked out of his den and found the tree stump that Soul had addressed the Pack on. He stepped up onto the tree stump and began to speak.

“Wolves of Spirit Pack,” Shadow began, trying to sound as bold and confident as Soul did. “I have decided who the Beta wolf is going to be.” The wolves turned to face Shadow with curious faces. “Soul, you are going to be the Beta wolf.” The Pack howled and barked with agreement. Soul walked up to stand beside Shadow, his eyes filled with pride. Even Dream, the previous Beta wolf, didn’t show a hint of jealousy about Soul being the new Beta wolf. Her eyes looked happy, and she howled along with the rest of the wolves. Shadow stepped down from the tree stump and the wolves all gathered around their new Alpha and Beta.

“Thank you, Shadow,” Soul said warmly. “I’m so excited to be the Beta wolf!”

“Yay! I’m so happy for both of you!” A voice said. It was Dream, trotting over happily. The rest of the wolves were beginning to split up into small clusters around the clearing. “I’m so happy that we convinced Shadow to join our Pack!” Dream said, touching noses with both Shadow and Soul.

“I have one question. Are we the only Pack?” Shadow asked. Soul and Dream hesitated.

 “No, there are other Packs, we are one of five.” Soul said with a nervous glance at Dream.

“Wow, that’s a lot of wolves. I’ve never even seen one before now,” Shadow replied with wonder.

“Shhh…” Soul said in a hushed tone. “You can’t say anything about your pawless owners. You must say you’ve been a wolf all your life.”

“Okay,” Shadow said, copying Soul’s whispered voice.

“About those other wolf Packs,” Dream whispered, her voice lacking her normal enthusiasm. “We are at war with Earth Pack and River Pack.”

The Plague by Hiromi L. Fong and Rachel W. Turner

Chapter One: The Shadow

 “Rose! It's time for school! You're gonna be late, the bus is here,” Rose's mom yelled up the stairs. Rose stumbled down the stairs and faced her mom. 

“Bye mom. I’ll see you soon,” she said as she walked out the door and onto the bus.

“Ten cents, please” the bus driver sighed. Rose placed a dime Into the bucket and looked around to find a good spot. 

“There's no empty spots,” Rose muttered to herself. She sat down next to some guy and fixed her skirt. The guy next to her glimpsed over at her.  She looked away from him, and decided to look at the ground. 

As the bus moved she heard wailing from a fire truck and looked up. A police car passed them along with many fire trucks and ambulances. When they got to school, there were alarms blasting from the school. There were blinding lights everywhere. She looked up and saw a raging fire coming from the school. The bus stopped suddenly, and Rose felt a buzz from her pocket. She picked up her phone. It read the name “Lily.” She had a wrenching feeling in her stomach. She answered.

“Rose, Rose! I'm in school, I can't get out, I hope I can see you again. If you can please save me!” Lilly cried. 

 “Ok, I-I’m in the bus,” She rushed out and pushed past everyone. “I'm going in. Why are there so many people!?” Rose said in a shaky tone. She ran to the building and pushed someone aside.

 ¨Excuse me! It's too dangerous, you can’t go inside!¨ one of the Firemen said. Rose pushed the fireman right aside, and he tumbled  to the ground. Rose ran into the building as the fire grew. 

¨Rose, I’m…I'm right here in the science room…102. I need… help please. Anybody please!¨ Lilly cried out.

 Rose ran through the school. There was so much smoke she could barely see. Right above Rose, a piece of ceiling cracked and almost hit her. She smashed into the wall and dropped her phone. She watched as it got surrounded by flames.

“No no no! I have to keep going!” She saw the sign that read “Room 102” and ran. She saw Lily, grabbed her, and as they started to run, she heard a cracking noise above her. Yet again, the ceiling started to crack and knocked Rose to the ground.. She pushed Lilly out of the way, but Rose herself was crushed by the pounding weight. 

¨I will go get somebody to help, okay? Don't worry…¨ Lilly choked out.

Rose made a blood curdling scream as she felt more wood fall on her. She saw the light coming from outside.

“HELP, ROSE IS STUCK!  SHE IS STILL ALIVE! PLEASE HELP!”

She thought that would be the last time she heard Lily's voice. Darkness appeared as Rose closed her eyes.

Unsplash

Who I Am (Poem) by Maryam Alharrasi

Who I Am

I am a smart person because I am good at math class,

And I am a kind human because I help everyone. 

I am a strong person because I hate the word “bully,”

And I am so humble because I love to make everyone happy. 

I am an aspiring person because I work to be a scientist,

And I’m so perfect because no one is better than me.

I am an adventurous girl because I have fun in my life,

And finally, I hope you get luck in your life.  

Unsplash

Skibidi Grimace Part 1. By Sean Fulmer

This all happened in Ohio.

The Titan camera man is fighting Baby Gronk for Livy Dunne and then the alarm goes off. Beep! Beep! “Attention all camera tv and speaker man we are being attacked by the Skibidi Gang”. Duke Dennis is in shock even though he is the snitch for theIn Skibidi Gang. Skibidi G-man destroyed their giant door and blew up their base. 

The only word ever spoke besides “Skibidi” was that particular day when he opened his mouth and said “Did you pray today?”. 

The cameraman on the floor was in shock. Then the G-man Skibidi kills him with his laser eyes. But then G-man looks up and sees a sword about to tear into his head held by the Titan camera man. 

Then G man was dead. The Titan camera man stood in disbelief and realized that G- man was a robot. 

To be continued…

Seven Book Recommendations by Madison Mikita

Have you ever been in need of a good book but have absolutely no idea what to read? I definitely have. Here is a list of book recommendations that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

7. A Snake Falls To Earth, by Darcie Little Badger

Nina is a six year old Lipan girl, Oli is a fifteen year old cottonmouth kid from a world of monsters. They are from different worlds, but they cross paths in order to achieve their separate goals. They must work together (with the help of their friends) to save their worlds and their friends.

6.  We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars is a beautifully written book from the perspective of Candace Easton. Candance and her extended family spend every summer at their private island, but after Candace suffers from a head injury she has troubling remembering the events of that summer. If you like We Were Liars I would also recommend reading the prequel: Family of Liars.

6. I Am Still Alive, by Kate Alice Marshall

I Am Still Alive is a survival story narrated by Jess Cooper, a sixteen year old who alternates between the past and present while sharing her story about how she survived a car crash, then was forced to move in with her adventurous father in the remote wilderness. This book is devastating yet inspiring, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

5. My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry, by Fredrick Backman

This book is not as well known as some of the other books, but it still is one of my favorites. Seven year old Elsa spends her days being chased by her fellow classmates, and spends her night escaping to her grandmother’s stories about the Land of Almost Awake. But when Elsa’s grandmother dies and leaves behind a trail of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa’s journey begins as she delivers the letters and learns more about her grandmother’s past. 

4. We All Looked Up, by Tommy Wallach

We All Looked Up is about a group of teenagers who attempt to live life to the fullest knowing that an astroid is going to crash into earth. With only 2 months to come to terms with that fact that they will… die, they come together despite their backgrounds and live and love as long as they possibly can. 

3. Wilder Girls, by Rory Power

This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Wilder Girls is a dystopian novel about three girls who are stuck in their remote boarding school while a deadly virus claims the surrounding forest, and their fellow classmates. When their friend disappears they must uncover the truth about the virus, before it’s too late. 

2. A Good Girls Guide To Murder (series)

Pip has started to investigate the disappearance of Jamie Reynolds (her friend’s brother), even though she swore to herself and to her family that she wouldn’t solve any more mysteries. Pip, with the help of her friends, must track down Jamie, even if that means uncovering secrets about him she wish she didn’t know. 

1. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

I cannot recommend this book enough. The Book Thief is an absolutely beautifully written novel that takes place in Nazi Germany during World War II. The book is narrated by Death, who tells the life of the book thief herself: Liesel Meminger. As Liesel is adjusting to her foster home, she takes comfort in the books she steals. The Book Thief is heart warming yet tragic, but I don’t want to spoil anything. 

6th Grade Book Ratings and Recommendations–October by Serena Tian and Abby Cao

Are you searching for the right book to read? PFMS 6th grade students and others give their suggestions.

“The more you read, the more you learn.”

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Recommended by: Abby Cao, 6th grade

Rating: 10/10

Summary: Sophie Foster has a secret—she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her. It’s something she’s never told anyone. But Sophie’s whole world changes when she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who has the same ability as her. From there on, Fitz brings her to where she truly belongs—a world that Sophie never imagined existed. 

Comments: “This series is NEARLY as good as Warriors, which for me, is saying a LOT.  It has so much suspense, plot twists, secret missions, betrayals, and even more!” –Abby Cao.

Greenglass House by Kate Milford

Recommended by: Maya Ilieva, 6th grade

Rating: 9/10

Summary:  It’s winter. The Smugglers’ Inn, or the Greenglass House, is always empty at this time of year, and Milo, adopted son of the innkeepers, wants to spend the holidays relaxing. But on the first day of the chilly vacation, seemingly out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. It rings again. And again. All of his plans have been ruined by the strange secretive guests they shelter. They each tell a tale that is strangely connected to the house. As things go missing and tempers rise, Milo and the cook’s daughter Meddy have to find out what’s happening and get to the bottom of this mystery.

Comments: “It’s captivating and will keep you at the edge of your seat.” –Eleanor Elias

Glitch by Laura Martin (March Book Madness 2023-2024)

Recommended by: Serena Tian, 6th grade

Rating: 10/10

Summary: Regan Fitz and Elliot Mason have been rivals since forever. They are both Glitchers-in-training. A Glitcher’s mission? To capture a Butterfly. One day, they receive a mysterious letter from their supposed future selves warning them that if they do not work together, their futures will be gruesome. Forced together as a team in a top-secret mountain academy at campus, they must decipher their future selves’ letter, and, in order to save the world, they must break every rule that they have ever been taught.

Comments: “It’s personally my favorite book. You have to expect the unexpected on each turn of a page.” –Serena Tian

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Recommended by: Mackabrie Winter

Rating: 9/10

Summary: Katniss Everdeen lives in a world of chaos. Every year, each of the 12 districts must send one boy and one girl to compete in the annual Hunger Games. On the 74th year of the games, Katniss’s sister, Primrose Everdeen, is chosen to compete. Katniss refuses to let this happen and volunteers in her place. It just so happens that Peeta Mellark, the baker’s boy, is chosen as well. As the two fight for survival in every twist and turn, they are finally forced to a decision: to kill the other or to kill themselves. 

Comments: “I think it’s a very interesting story for fans of young adult science-fiction.” –Mackabrie Winter.

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

Recommended by: Nakula Balachandran

Rating: 9.5/10

Summary:  “Until he got a cryptic warning, Christopher Rowe was happy, learning how to solve complex codes and puzzles and creating powerful medicines, potions, and weapons as an apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn—with maybe an explosion or two along the way. But then a mysterious cult begins to prey on London’s apothecaries, and the trail of murders grows closer and closer to Blackthorn’s shop. With time running out, Christopher must use every skill he’s learned to discover the key to a terrible secret with the power to tear the world apart.” –Blackthorn Key

Comments: “9.5 because it is a good book for people who like mysteries and for people who like to anticipate what will happen, but it’s a bit long and has some of the same stuff in every book.” –Nakula Balachandran.

When Good Veggies Go Bad Part Two by Aidan Murphy

It had been 3 years since it happened. A large part of our gang had been killed. My best friends; dead. Broccoli, Artichoke, Green Bean, just to name a few. I thought I had gotten my revenge, but I didn’t really. The fruit gang had gained their power back and were now stronger than ever. I only had Carrot, Celery, and Cucumber, a new recruit. We hadn’t done much together to stop the fruits, only because we knew we would be killed. Our gang never felt fear from other gangs, but now every time we walk outside and see a fruit, we rush back indoors to avoid confrontation.

We vegetables had to do something. We had to take down the fruits, once and for all. So we hatched a plan. We would go out and recruit as many vegetables as we could so we would become even stronger than the fruit gang. It was genius.

At midnight, we went out into the dangerous streets of Foodopolis and looked for tough vegetables to help us. I found 7, and my buddies combined found 16. Twenty-three new members would be more than enough. So we took them back to the house in the hills and told them about our plan to take down the opposing gang. They were all on board, except for one. Bell Pepper didn’t like our plan. In fact, he wanted to stop us. Turns out, he was a fruit gang spy! So we all beat him up and kicked him back out into the streets.

The next day, we got our gang regrouped and they all came back to the house in the hills. We had our plans ready and decided today was the day. So we all stormed out of the house and drove four vans over to the fruit house. I kicked down the door and tackled their bodyguard head first into the ground. The other members rushed in to attack the fruits. The security guard was tough, though. He flipped me over and started punching my face. Luckily, Cucumber saved my life by hitting the guard over the head with a lead pipe. But this wasn’t over yet.

I could hear punches and screams from across the house. I ran into the kitchen where Celery was about to be stabbed. I jumped at the Apple and knocked the knife out of his hand. Celery picked it up and finished him off. We both ran into the bedroom where we found Carrot, limp on the floor. I couldn’t tell if he was dead. But then, a Banana jumped at us from the closet with a bat! I moved out of his swing at the perfect time, but Celery wasn’t as lucky. He got the bat slammed right into the top of his skull. He scrunched up and fell onto the floor, hitting his head on the chair in the corner. I was filled with rage.

The Banana threw the bat down onto the ground and we both agreed to fist fight. I lunged at him and got the first punch. I tried giving him a second to the gut, but he blocked it with his hand. Furious, I took my right hand and slammed it into his throat, causing him to stumble back and start coughing. He kept coughing and laid himself into the chair. I decided this was a waste of time and pulled the knife out of my pocket. I ended him right there. But there were still bigger things to deal with. For starters, I needed to check on Carrot and Celery, so I ran over to my orange friend. But after putting my fingers on his neck and checking for his pulse, he was dead. I couldn’t believe it. I ran over to Celery and checked for his pulse. He was alive, but barely clinging on to life. I slung him over my shoulder. By the time I made it to the living room I was exhausted. I laid him down near a pile of dead fruits and tried to get him to come back to life.

He died.

I gave up.

I lost everyone I had from the start and it was all my fault. This was it. I grabbed Cucumber and got out of there. We drove back to the house and grabbed mind bombs. Lots of them. While we took them to the fruit house, I thought about everything that had happened. All the members dead, all the trauma, all the time wasted because of stupid gang conflict. But I had to finish the fight. When we got back to their house, we planted the bomb in the middle of the floor and ran outside. One press of the button on the remote and the fruit gang would end. I pushed the button. The last of the group stumbled out of the house, muttering gibberish while struggling to walk. Cucumber and I hopped in the van and drove back home. We finally got to celebrate like we always wanted to.

The war was over.   

Skibbidy Grimace Backstory by Sean Fulmer

The alarm goes off. 

Beep! Beep! 

“Attention all Ohio citizens! Please check your toilets for  Skibbidys!” 

Everyone in Ohio checked their toilets. 

Gasp!  “Oh no! There's a Grimace Shake in my toilet! 

Everyone knew what that meant…

Skiibiddies!!! They are coming!!

Skibbidiies just love the purple goodness of a Grimace Shake. They are attracted to it like flies…they were coming for it no matter what. 

And then all the Skibbidys came out! 

Skibbidies are demonic human heads without bodies. They live in toilets and only come out when someone pours a Grimace Shake in the toilet bowl. 

They destroyed Ohio and Baltimore by singing a song. 

Skibidi dop dop yes yes…they sang their iconic song.

After that, everyone's cameras had a Grimace Shake and they morphed into camera men… the Skibbidy Toilets’ arch enemy!

 Oh no! Ohio is gone because of the boss Grimace named Grimace Prime Lemonade Sigma Male Alpha Biggest Bird Skibbidy Toilets.

To be continued in Ohio…

Dino Comic by Izzy Doliana, Ally Swauger, and Natalie Huggins

Dino Soup

Shiny Gems Poem by Aidan Murphy

Shiny Gems Poem

The gems are so shiny

Bling bling they go

However they are so tiny

And they belong to the popo

As I run away with the loot

I stop and think to myself

When will the cops pursuit

And how will it look on my shelf

I go faster, faster

Until I give out

I am no longer the master

And I will be arrested no doubt

We Shall Return by Tara Gopalan

A land lush and free

It’s here we reside

A land blessed with trees

And plants of all kinds

The song of a bird

A flute in the wind

One day we will come

And live there again

We all hide away

From those people who

Claim that land as theirs

Theirs only to use

One day we will go

To that land, lush and free

It again will be known 

For the great Cherokee

When they are all gone

When the land they will spurn

Has come back again

With the songs of the birds

Though our native songs

Must then be re-learned

I promise you, child,

That we shall return.

This poem was inspired by the Cherokee tribe, a tribe of Native Americans who got driven out of their land along with 100,000 other native americans during the colonization of America. It describes an older member of the Cherokee tribe narrating the story of their forced migration to a younger child. I hope you enjoyed reading it!

When Good Veggies Go Bad by Aidan Murphy

I (Asparagus) went to the gas station with my friend Broccoli. 

When we got there, we bought some Snickers Bars. 

As we walked outside, we were jumped by the fruit gang! They threatened to steal our snickers bars if we didn’t give them our money. 

After we emptied out our pockets, they beat us up and then left. 

“Oh no, the fruit gang wants to take us down!” said broccoli. 

“We will be fine, as long as we have our gang with us too.” I responded. 

We walked downtown. After we got some Raising Cane’s Chicken, we saw the Fruit Gang. I called up my homie (Carrot) who contacted our gang. In only a few minutes, I heard the blaring music coming from the van. Artichoke, Cauliflower, Green Bean, and Corn hopped out. 

After a lot of punches thrown, kicks dished out, and vegetable/fruit juice flying into the air, the Fruit Gang went down. All of us hopped in the van and drove back to the house in the hills to celebrate. 

However, on the way there we got t-boned by the fruit van! The van tumbled down the hill until we reached the bottom. I could barely stand up, having to push myself off of the van. I walked only a few steps until I landed in some wet stuff on the ground. I looked down only to find that only I and broccoli survived. And the wet stuff? 

It was the other vegetables juice. I screamed in horror. 

I picked up the unconscious broccoli and ran up to the house.

I lay him on the bed, and performed CPR on him, but it was no use. 

He died in my arms as I tried to save him. 

I was thinking of giving up, until I remembered Wayne Gretzky’s famous quote: You miss 99% of the shots you don’t take. 

I realized this is my shot to get revenge. 

I left the house and went to the Fruit’s base. I entered the building and planted the crazy shut down device in the floorboards. I walked out and as I did, I pressed the shutdown button. All of the fruit equipment and weapons were of no use anymore. I knew I hadn’t reversed my problem, but I did what I should’ve done a long time ago. 

I had won, but at what cost?

One Day in Crimeville by Elliot Cardinale, Gabriel Brannick, Sam Hummell, Sean Fulmer

DAY ONE

Boom! sheesh rawrrrrrr is the sound of the car. It has a giant slime cannon on top.  Then the big money car goes by,  and the slime truck follows and steals all their gems:  rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. They got millions of crime bills, and Zac spent it on armor from diamonds and then he made a big car again!

Then Ray Chaos Johnson gets off the chaos train and fights with Izac for all the gems. Soon after Elliot Manchester's boat goes to play soccer on the giant spike field, but there are gems on the floor, so Izac comes after them. 

Boom Boom are his laser guns. Boom Boom! even louder than before. Elliot runs away, screaming “ahhhhh,”  but he is too late. He is now a choice gem. 

Then they go to the giant Mr Chess’ cabin, and Ray Chaos Johnson fights against Mr Chess,  who loses all his treasures and gets eliminated.  Game over. But that was in another universe. Mr Chess fell on Isaac's rubies, and it hurt him bad. The sting of rubies stabbed Mr. Chess. 

Zac fights while Elliot gets attacked by Messi. Messi goes sui until the laser booms off and turns into a mecha. Messi boom are the sounds from Messi’s sui cannon, but Elliot is determined. 

Ray chose to come out on the bad boy choices, and he feels evil. He kills Messi and steals the world cup from Kevin Durant and salt bae. 

“Run!”, said Elliot to Messi, while he was bleeding on the floor. 

Elliot screams, “No Messi! Why?”  

Elliot steals the world cup full of dead Isaac and dead Mr Chess rubies. But we all forgot about Master Bone. He ran the operation and made everyone fight so he could be the ruler. Keven Darant is in my help, now I am so stuck. A random guy asked me if I had scoliosis then I asked what scoliosis was.

To be continued . . .

Wings of Fire OC by Josephine Chmely and Brenna Bucher