CHRISTOPHER TIAN

In The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt by John Bellairs, there were many many twists and turns throughout the entire story that constantly kept me on my feet wondering what would happen next. The amount of magic in this story really made me wonder how Johnny could overcome. The final chapter was definitely my Read more…

JONATHAN LIM

The Marmon Wasp Chapter I:  I was in shock. There are few things as exciting and as terrifying as finally getting to walk inside the Marmon Plant, the place where all the greatest cars get made. I felt my knees almost collapse like twigs on a windy day when I took my first step toward Read more…

TAYLEN LI

The Rocker I wanted to go home. I wanted to be anywhere but Mr. Johnson’s classroom. The gray-haired nuisance had humiliated me for the fifth time this year – this time he had snatched my blank homework from my hands, and upon seeing it, had continuously reprimanded me. When I thought the eruption was finally Read more…

TAYLEN LI

Dear students, The process for finding the best battle (Famous Battles essay = FB essay) to write about is a tricky one for two reasons. #1. It is such a monumental choice because writing the FB essay is a long and exacting process, combining the principles of journalism (verification of information and sources, and context, Read more…

LEONA ZHOU

Dennis          Dennis and Daniel loved going in the sandpit to play all sorts of games. In one game, one would be the genie while the other would pretend to be Aladdin making wishes to the genie. And after that wish, they would immediately find what they want in the sandpit by digging it up…  Read more…

LEONA ZHOU

Big Headed Boneheaded Bowheads When you imagine a beautiful sea animal, part of the image that comes with it is a dorsal fin, but bowhead whales don’t have one, nor do the narwhal and beluga. In case you’re wondering what in the world a dorsal fin is, it’s a triangular protrusion that seems like it’s Read more…

COLLIN AARONSON

How Did We Get Here? “Jerry, get over here – we gotta leave now. The chicken pox vaxx is gunna spoil! I’ll be made a laughingstock,” I yelled from across the tarmac. “Here I come boss!” Jerry hollered. “Let me finish up fueling the plane. You don’ wanna crash into the ocean do ya’?” “Fine, Read more…

JASON QIN

The War of 1812: A Tragic Fall and a Fledgling’s Flight This essay references Allan W. Eckert’s A Sorrow in Our Heart, a 678-page biography on the Shawnee warrior Tecumseh which compiles over 850 sources in an attempt to provide as comprehensive of a depiction of the life of Tecumseh as possible. However, there are Read more…

ALEX LIN

Sexually graphic books in school libraries and actual US Government censorship WARNING: Due to the nature of this subject, some sexually graphic information is included in the below. It is only named, but younger students should only read with parent supervision. by Alex Lin  The current issue of school library book banning was introduced to Read more…

ANNA QIN

Appreciating Americana State By State: A Panoramic Portrait of America, edited and compiled by Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey, aims to create one book containing 50 different essays, written by 50 different authors, about the 50 U.S. states. Each individual essay attempts to capture the notable features and gives a unique understanding to each place. Read more…