 Friday, May 16, 2008
In the May 2 issue of READ, we asked students to tell us about their experiences "being swept away" into books. Thanks to Brennan Baringer, 14, for responding to the call. Great job Brennan! We hope your "hunger" always persists and you always find the most delicious books to quench it.
Reading is the link to worlds where anything is possible--from gods and goddesses to magic and mythical creatures. It is a fiery passion that descends upon us and casts its luring trap--that makes us want to read more and more. Good books will seize you and never let go. They will lure you in and you will be lost in its pages, shouting for joy and weeping with sorrow at each twist and turn.
When I find a good book I read it heart and soul. I read it over and over hungering evermore for the words that are food for my mind and soul. Characters eventually become part of you. You see them and it almost feels as if they are alive:living, breathing, and feeling. When they get into trouble you want to be there. You want to save them and protect them because they have been there for you and you want to be in the story to save what you treasure.
The most loathesome part of the book is the ending. The book has become a treasured friend and the end is saying farewell. You don't want an end though, you want to be lost in a neverending story that only ends when your
dragon-sized thirst for the masterpiece is slain. 
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Friday, May 09, 2008
Click here for Student Writing Showcase 2008.
That's not much fanfare! Well, I could tell you about all the great student writers we have showcased this year. I could discuss the wonderful authors who have leant their voices and commentary (like M.T. Anderson, Karen Cushman, and Cynthia Leitich Smith). I could describe the way neat-o video version of 1,000 Words. I could tell you all about the Letter To Self article and writing prompt. I could write up a super-duper self-promotion that shows in detail how each one of these things makes for a really cool place to chill out, read some excellent student writing, get inspired, and moves you to write whatever your heart desires! I could... and I kind of just did... but I think I'll just pipe down and let you check it out for yourself.
AND if you do get inspired and DO write something. Send it to us at word@weeklyreader.com. We're always looking for the best student writers to publish right here on WORD!
Cheers mates! Enjoy! 
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Thursday, May 08, 2008
If you haven't figured out this week's theme by now... um... it's birthday poems inspired by Billy Collins. Come on, you knew that!
Turning Ten
by Becky, Grade 6
The whole idea of it makes me feel
Like I can do anything,
Everything.
I can fly with the birds,
I can ride a dragon.
I'm going to turn ten.
Some feel the need
To let go of past games,
Imaginary friends,
All the things considered
Childish.
They think
That turning ten
Means crossing a threshold
From which
You may never return.
But I believe
At 11, 15 or even 30
At heart,
We are still kids.
So opinions are very different,
Unique,
Yet they have one likeness,
Turning ten,
Is
No
Small
Thing.
For the record, I'm 30. And I like to think I'm still a kid at heart. Here's a couple of monkeys celebrating birthday poem week to prove it. Look! They're wearing people clothes! Hahahahaha! Oh monkey. 
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
This seems to be a popular concept here at WORD! Keep your birthday poems coming! Here's one from a student who managed to incorporate a monkey into her writing! Yay Birthday Monkey poems!
Turning Twelve
-by Emma, 11
The whole idea of it makes me feel
like Christmas came early this year.
Like a monkey in a
forest of banana trees.
Like a young child playing in a cool stream
on a hot summer's day.
Turning twelve.
Oh, how I wish it would come sooner!
"You may babysit when you are twelve", my parents say.
I have been eleven for years-an eternity-
or so it seems.
Turning twelve.
The thought of it makes me want to do a a little
dance in place,
or squeal like I do at Christmas, when I open my first present.
Turning twelve.
This is the beginning of
being treated like a teenager,
not a child,
of staying home alone,
of babysitting,
of walking home from school,
of being responsible,
of growing up.
Turning twelve.
How long it takes, but I know it will come.
Someday...
Turning twelve. 
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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Here are a few more student written birthday poems inspired by Billy Collins' On Turning Ten and READ magazine!
Older
by Iman Siddiqui
The whole idea of it makes me feel
Like a rotten old banana peel
Everyday and every night
Holding on to my child-ish right
Sometimes I want to be alone
With everything silent to the bone
No matter how I feel inside
There is a hole open wide
Everything is changed
And I'm the one to blame
Sometimes the change is good
Just like it always should
Everything is crazy
Now it has become hazy
I can't take it anymore
All that knocking on my door
I'm sick and tired of all these traps
Closing on my weakened back
Older and older, day by day
No more time to go out and play
As I've matured, bigger and stronger
It will stay for longer and longer
Even if I cannot go out and play
Hopefully I'll enjoy my 13th birthday
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Turning 13
by Christine Leong - Grade 6
The whole idea of it makes me feel
Like the shriveled old grape on 42nd street
The idea of 13 creeping up on me
Is slow but consistent
Week by week, day by day
Hour by hour, minute by, minute
second by second
It's like the lioness
About to pouce on her prey
It is like an ocean
Full of "Happy 13th Birthdays"
Swarming around me
Trying to drown me
You might wonder why?
Why are you afraid?
But, I'd simply answer
They expect so much more
They expect you to be great
They pile work on your head
'Till you can't balance any longer
Then they pile more work
And you drop like a bomb
You see, turning 13 isn't all that bad
But it's the door to independence
The door to freedom, high school
College, your job, adulthood
Being me of course,
I would never want to
Think of all this
So right now I'll just
Sit back and relax and
Concentrate on, not being 13,
But being 12.
Don't ask me why we're posting another birthday monkey picture. I don't have the answer. He just looks so happy! Oh... I guess that is answer enough.
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