A FOREST’S SECRETS

1. A FOREST’S SECRETS A forest has many secrets—secrets that man has long forgotten. A forest has healing secrets, treasure secrets, and history secrets. It watches every move that goes on inside it. But it is disappearing and housing complexes are being built. Soon the forest will have no more secrets.

2. A FOREST’S SECRETS A forest has many / secrets—secrets that man / has long forgotten. / A forest has / healing secrets, / treasure secrets, and / history secrets. / It watches every move / that goes on inside it. / But it is disappearing / and housing complexes / are being built. Soon / the forest will have / no more secrets.

3. A FOREST’S SECRETS A forest has many secrets—secrets that man has long forgotten. A forest has healing secrets, treasure secrets, and history secrets. It watches every move that goes on inside it. But it is disappearing and housing complexes are being built. Soon the forest will have no more secrets.

5. TERRIFYING ALLIGATORby Jena W. (6th grade) The alligator sticks his head a little above water to see who is watching. He starts moving closer and closer to where I stand frozen with fear. He finally pops up right where I am standing. He starts hissing and growling to make me leave his territory. Do I stay and fight or run away? I can’t do anything. I stand frozen with fear. Maybe he will just go away.

6. The alligator sticks his head a little above water to see who is watching. He starts moving closer and closer to where I stand frozen with fear. He finally pops up right where I am standing. He starts hissing and growling to make me leave his territory. Do I stay and fight or run away? I can’t do anything. I stand frozen with fear. Maybe he will just go away. TERRIFYING ALLIGATORby Jena W. (6th grade)

8. THE CITY WAITSBy Bryan F. (6th gr.) The city waits in the shadows of the night. Waiting. Listening. The clock strikes midnight. Evil spirits awaken looking for their prey. The stars above are protecting. The townsmen knowing that the sun will bring warmth the next day. And so, the city waits.

9. The city waits in the shadows of the night. Waiting. Listening. The clock strikes midnight. Evil spirits awaken looking for their prey. The stars above are protecting. The townsmen knowing that the sun will bring warmth the next day. And so, the city waits. THE CITY WAITSBy Bryan F. (6th gr.)

11. COLORS OF CHILDHOOD When I saw a pack of crayons today, I suddenly had the urge to color. I haven’t colored in years. Will someone see me? Do I care? Maybe I just long for the care-free life the crayons represent. I pick up a red—my favorite—and begin to color. Suddenly, thoughts of homework, grades, and stressed friendships all begin to fade into a rainbow of colors—happy colors of my childhood. Maybe I should color more often!

12. COLORS OF CHILDHOOD When I saw a pack of crayons today, I suddenly had the urge to color. I haven’t colored in years. Will someone see me? Do I care? Maybe I just long for the care-free life the crayons represent. I picked up a red—my favorite—and began to color. Suddenly, thoughts of homework, grades, and stressed friendships all began to fade into a rainbow of colors—happy colors of my childhood. Maybe I should color more often!

14. A BERRY-COLORED DAY Since I don’t have time for breakfast, I think I’ll wear my berry-colored, berry-flavored lipstick so I can taste plump, juicy raspberries for the few sweet minutes before it wears off my hungry lips!

15. A BERRY-COLORED DAY Since I don’t have time for breakfast, I think I’ll wear my berry-colored, berry-flavored lipstick so I can taste plump, juicy raspberries for the few sweet minutes before it wears off my hungry lips!

17. KING OF THE RIDGE He walks where human feet have never trod. At the top of the world where the air is thin, he strolls stately with a full, thick , white winter coat that matches the clouds nestled in the valley below. He is alone, but he doesn’t seem to care. I think I’m a little jealous of the king of the serene ridge--the strong, surefooted, mountain goat.

18. He walks where human feet have never trod. At the top of the world where the air is thin, he strolls stately with a full, thick, white winter coat that matches the clouds nestled in the valley below. He is alone, but he doesn’t seem to care. I think I’m a little jealous of the king of the serene ridge--the strong, surefooted, mountain goat. KING OF THE RIDGE

20. THE BEACON(gr. 7) As she looks out on her lighthouse a tear runs down her cheek. She thinks of all the sorrow that has come into her life. But somehow, when she looks out on the lighthouse something changes. The waves ease her pain. The calm, cool evening causes her distress to drift away, and she doesn’t feel the sadness she once felt. For when she looks out on her lighthouse, her frown turns to a smile, and her worries wash away as another boat finds its way safely home.

21. THE BEACON(gr. 7) The waves ease her pain. The calm, cool evening causes her distress to drift away, and she doesn’t feel the sadness she once felt. For when she looks out on the lighthouse, her frown turns to a smile, and her worries wash away as another boat finds its way safely home. As she looks out on the lighthouse a tear runs down her cheek. She thinks of all the sorrow that has come into her life. But somehow, when she looks out on the lighthouse, something changes.

23. OUTCASTBy Jana M. (grade 6) Do you look into my heart or are you astonished by my clear eyes? I am not at all that different in the fact that I see, hear, and feel like any other human. My powdery skin scares you. My pale features cause me to be cast aside . . . and pushed away. I try my hardest to fit in. But I guess in your eyes I will always be an outcast.

24. Do you look into my heart or are you astonished by my clear eyes? I am not at all that different in the fact that I see, hear, and feel like any other human. My powdery skin scares you. My pale features cause me to be cast aside . . . and pushed away. I try my hardest to fit in. But I guess in your eyes I will always be an outcast. OUTCASTBy Jana M. (grade 6)