Genre: Grade level

Student: | Grade Level: 9th Genre: Stephen Crane | Date: May 26, 2012

JING-WEI L

Crane’s The Third Violet is essentially a love story between an artist and a girl with a higher social status than he. Situated in a peaceful rural area where vacationers can enjoy hikes in the woods and picnics near streams and rivers, The Third Violet has been criticized as a work that is confusing, and too short, and “were it not for the dog and one or two touches of nature, we would not like it at all” (unsigned). This speaks volumes about the critic’s opinion on this particular story. He or she plainly disliked it.

Student: | Grade Level: 8th Genre: State by State | Date: May 22, 2012

GRACE G

Because Weiland and Wilsey wanted personal stories about experiences with the state, Smith tells about this one illegal adventure to the island she had with her father. She talks about swimming off a boat to the island, which was trespassing and completely forbidden. Not only were they breaking the law, but they ended up encountering a group of sharks, all gathered under their boat. During the time on Ni’ihau, they beachcombed together, finding human bones. The hundred-year-old skulls they found lying around on the beach under the sand were forbidden to be touched because “To touch a bone, especially a Hawaii’an one, disturbs its mana, the life force Hawaiians believe inhabits all things.”

Student: | Grade Level: 7th Genre: Poetry | Date: May 20, 2012

JING WEI L

Untitled       The flowers cried sadly While their friends the trees died, Screaming in agony, Wounded by human pride.   For though no man could hear The grief of those so near Their hearts were filled with guilt For killing those nature built.  

Student: | Grade Level: 8th Genre: JRR Tolkien | Date: May 19, 2012

OSCAR S

The River of Life     “Bilbo used to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary.”        Frodo, The Fellowship of the Ring       Bilbo Baggins had a very consistent way of life, but when Gandalf Read more…

Student: | Grade Level: 9th Genre: Non Fiction | Date: May 17, 2012

LARRY H

  COURAGE     Courage is a trait; it helps create heroes and aids in the destruction of villains. People all over the world have gained this trait and used it to protect what they believe in and what they love. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an African-American social rights activist who fought for Read more…