Mission Statement

Under the Linden Tree is a periodical of the writings of Governor Winslow ElementarySchool students. It is a published by a volunteer group of parents/guardians, and isfunded through the PTO.

Our goal is to inspire kids to write, with a special focus on extracurricular writing. Thiscarefully crafted magazine will showcase their creative writing efforts in a way whichemphasizes the intrinsic rewards of accomplishment.

Through a unique understanding of their child, parents or guardians can play a key rolein the creative process. Therefore we seek to involve and support them in encouragingtheir kids to take pleasure in exploring original ideas in writing.

Publishing Policy

All student submissions are published, provided they comply with the guidelines on thesubmission form and are accompanied by a parent or guardian’s signature.

All pieces are published as submitted, with the original format, spelling, punctuation andgrammar. We will focus on fostering the desire to write; editing and proofreading is up tothe parent or guardian and the author. We feel that this is a more accurate reflection ofeach author’s age and abilities, and will allow the parent/guardian to decide the bestway to help the child develop confidence in their own unique talents.

Inspiration

The title Under the Linden Tree was inspired by a combination of local history, a richtradition of lindens in literature, and the practice of using tree hollows for the exchangeof secret notes.

The Great Linden can be found growing on the grounds of what is now the DanielWebster Estate in Marshfield. This tree is believed to have been brought from Englandby William Thomas and planted in 1640. At a crossroads a few miles away at Tarkiln inDuxbury, a granite marker commemorates an old oak. Called the Tree of Knowledge itwas used between 1774 and 1845 as a mailbox for post riders and stages betweenPlymouth and Boston.

It wasn’t by chance that a tree was chosen as the inspiration for this magazine. Wewrite and print on paper, and paper comes from trees. To respect this connection. wewill be using recycled materials whenever possible.

Printed on100% Recycled Paper

thanks to a generous donation fromthe Marshfield DPW/Recycling Program

Clothing Containerand Bay State Textiles.

Contents

1. Hockey with Papa by Patrick Sheehan

Laying in a blanket of Snow by Mia Ramos

2. When I Lost My Dog by Jenny Brown

Football by Jacob Mahan

3. Florida by Oskar Mundt

4. Herman Harlan Pepper’s Birthday Party by Sarah Gauger

Pretty Pigs by Alexis McDonough

5. My Dog by Jessica Stappen

Untitled Story by Alexis McDonough

6. The Baseball Game by Cameron Tedford-Vanasse

Star Wars by Andrew Kelly

7. WHAT IS SPRING by Ava Figueiredo

The Dolphin and the Crab by Elizabeth Abell

8. The Chimpanzee by Oskar Mundt

9. Lola by Emma Gallant

Shark Attack by Logan MacDonald

10. The Mitey snowball by Jason Osis

Zombies by Peter Suzio

11. Thinking at Night by Daniel Noons

John and His Magical Dreams by Brian Tolman

12. Summer in November Part 2 by Cate Dooley

I Love you! by Jaqulean Johnson

13. The Tornado by Jake Lowe

14. My best memories of my hamster Peanutbutter by Lauren Hutt

15. POPPELTON by Brendan Murray

16. Smiley by Michaela Ann Robicheau

17. The Doomball, The Doomball 2 by Griffin Sypek

18. My dog by Peter Suzio

I Like School by Nicole Farrell

19. Wii by James McGarry

20. The day I went to my cousins by Frederick Conway

21. Fluffball’s First Shooting Star! by Sofia Curto

The Puppy that loves winter by Melanie Grant

22. The Snowflake by Samantha Wencis

Blizzard by Michael Vaillancourt

I am a Snow Flake by Aidan Clougherty

23. My nightmare by Jeremy Curto

My Sister by Ryanne Duffy

24. Mack is Three by Katie Coppenrath

25. Snowy the Snowman by Haley Yahoub

Untitled by Hannah Goodsell

26. Winter by Samantha Troiano

Praymantises by Teresa Normanly

27. The Call of the Wild by Courtney Connolly

28. Criminal Zombies by Zoa McGarry

29. Cody + Snow = Best Friends by Lauren Dooley

My Dog Brownie by Shannon Connolly

30. Missy Loves the Snow by Katie Coppenrath

31. Untitled by Chloe Camelio

32. Good vs. Evil! by William Kelly

34. My Three Favorite Christmas Presents by Luke Mallory

35. My Fish Blueberry by Kara Martina

A White Winter by Kelsey Birkmeyer

36. If You Want A Pet Chinchilla by Midgie Williams

37. My New Dog by Billy Mallory

In the Morning by Frances Tougas

38. The Great Adventure of Scratch by Taylor Fitts

41. Polly Purchase Pararite by Adeline Mundt

42. The Fibbing Frog by Frances Tougas

The Funny Bunny by Alexis Stappen

43. The Dime-Eating Penny by Richard Grant

The Perfect Day by Emily Nagle

44. Dogs Love by Isabella Espinoza

45. Chichi and Chubchub: Investigation of the Missing Banana

by Jack Williams & Midgie Williams

46. Why the Sun comes Up in the Day And the Moon at Night

by Adeline Mundt

47. Vacation by Emily Nagle

A Night by Britney Jackson

48. Talents by Nadiesha Jennings

49. Lindquist Bay, Christmas Cove, Coral World, Snorkeling

by Jamie MacFarland

50. The Adventures of Secret Agent Ducky by Wyatt Lowe

51. The Greatest Snowball Fight Ever!!! by Evan Kelly

53. Mario v.s. Luigi by Keagan Marcella

If I were a Superhero by Nicole Blaisdell

Laying in a blanket of Snow

I’m laying in a blanket of snow.Waiting for my friend while the wind blows.It’s cold, white and fluffy,Laying in a blanket of snow.

Snow balls, Snow angels and Snowmen,Cold, white and fluffyLaying in a blanket of snow

When my friend has to go home,I go inside for some cocoaAfter laying in a blanket of snow.

By Mia RamosGrade 1

Hockey with Papa

I play hockey with Papa.We play at his house.I shoot, I score!I play while on my roller blades.And then I was goalie.I saved the ball.Then I was shooting againand I got five goals!I love playing hockey with Papa

By Patrick SheehanGrade K

When I Lost My Dog

When I lost my dog it was really gone. We were sad, but I got anew dog. It was Huck. Then we got a playmate for Huck. It wasBoo. Boo is my new dog. Boo is a black lab. We are happy now.

By Jenny BrownGrade 1

Football

Tom Brady is awesome. He is the best.Randy Moss is cool. He is really cool.The field is cool and really big.Tom Brady has the ball.Tom Brady and Randy Moss they are the best.These are the fans.

By Jacob MahanGrade 1

Florida

When I woke up, to my amazement, I was in Florida!

Coconuts fell like raindrops near my window.

The air was so warm, it felt like I was in a hot tub.

The oranges tasted like Heaven on Earth!

I heard the ocean blue waves go crash, crash, crash ontothe beach.

It smelled like wondrous tropical fruity, fruit fruits!

I was so sad to have to leave Florida!

By Oskar MundtGrade 1

Herman Harlan Pepper’sBirthday Party

Dedicated to my dog Herman.

It’s my dog’s birthday.I am full of cheer.He makes me happy every year.He’s eight today.We make his cake a heart shape.We have fun all around.His wagging tail pushes me to the ground.He licks me with apology and says he sorryeeee.My dog is golden, he has a big head.He is very handsom.A big old boy he’s my best pal.The only trouble he gets into is that skunk winter, spring,summer and fall.

The end

By Sarah GaugerGrade 1

Pretty Pigs

I Like PigsI see a pigIt is eating corn.The end

By Alexis McDonoughGrade 1

My Dog

Once I had a fish. But my fish died. I was so sad. My sisterwas sad.

My dad and mom were sad.

I was sad. My sister and I were sad. Then my mom and meand Dad and my sister thought something. We said, get adog. We got a dog!

We named it JJ. He was the best dog. I love him. He is thebest dog ever.

I love him. I love JJ.

By Jessica StappenGrade 1

Untitled Story

I like puppys. They like to pLay. They like to chew onBones. They are cute.

The End

By Alexis McDonoughGrade 1

The Baseball Game

I Hit the ballit Flies throuGhthe skyHomerunthe crowd cheersFor me!

By Cameron Tedford-VanasseGrade 1

Star Wars

I like Star Wars. It is cool. I like Ventress and Anakin andDarth Vader and Darth Maul and Obi Wan Kenobi and Yodaand Ahsoka. Obi Wan Kenobi fought Anakin and Anakinturned into Darth Vader. General Grievous is my favoritebecause he has four arms and four light sabers. He is abad guy.

By Andrew KellyGrade 1

WHAT IS SPRING

Sunny Days

Planting Flowers

Rain Rain Rain

Imagination

Nesting Birds

Green Grass

By Ava FigueiredoGrade 1

The Dolphin and the Crab

The dolphin and the crab were friends.They liked the same things.The dolphin liked little fish.So did the crab.The crab liked plankton.So did the dolphin.Dolphin was blue.The crab was red.The end

By Elizabeth AbellGrade 1

The Chimpanzee

Once upon a time there was a chimpanzee. He didn’t likebananas. Bananas were his least favorite food. He hatedthem! He loved plums. Plums were his favorite!

Once, he met a genie. The genie said, “You have threequests. If you pass all three of them, you will get as manyplums as you would like.” “Yes, I will take the quest,” saidthe chimpanzee. The quests are one with wind, one withwater and one with fire. First is wind, then water, then fire.

When he went to the wind, there was a big tornado! Ittwirled him and twirled him! Luckily, he jumped onto acloud. The cloud saved him, but he couldn’t find the spotwhere he was supposed to be. Then he saw it. It wasacross the ocean. He went cloud to cloud jumping acrossthe ocean. He made it! The genie said, “Well done. Youcan go on to water.”

The chimpanzee saw debris from a wrecked ship. Hejumped onto one. He barely made it. He jumped ontoanother and another and another. He made it across theocean! The genie said, “Good, you can go on to fire.”

He saw no way of getting across fire. He looked north,south, east, west, left, right, and up. He saw a hatch. Hehad a plan. There was a giant rope. He climbed up therope, but it snapped. The fire was rising! It would soonrise up to the hatch. He had to think of something quickly.Then he thought of something. He jumped with all hismight and he made it! The genie said, “Good job. You mayget three wishes and all the plums you want!”

His first wish was to make his mother, father and him stayalive forever. And then his next wish was for a pet bird.His last wish was to have a golden chair.

When he came home he gave his mother and father amillion percent of the plums. His mother and father reallyliked them! The End.

By Oskar Mundt

Grade 1

Lola

I have a dog.Her name is Lola.

I love to play with her.

Sometimes she is fresh, but I still play with her.

She is my favorite.

By Emma GallantGrade 1

Shark Attack

So, you’re swimming at the beach, andyou see this fin.

You think it’s a shark, but then you see it’s just akindegardener.

So, you think you’re o.k....then...he bites you.

By Logan MacDonaldGrade 2

The Mitey snowball

Hi my name is Bob.I am making a snowball.Do you like to make a snowball?Oh no! The Snowball fell.How will I get it?It went over a carand over a tree. Oh no! Splat!!

By Jason OsisGrade 1

Zombies

Once there three boys and they were camping in thescarest woods of all the forest of No Return and they did’tknow what was about to happen to them. Zombies one boysaid and the 2nd boy fanted and the Zombies got him andthat ment 2 boys were left and they got eaten by theZombies the end

By Peter SuzioGrade 2

Thinking at Night

I love my family.They are the best.

But when it comes to bed timeI need my rest.

When the sun goes down, the moon shines up.The sound of the ocean makes me sing high notes

Up, Up, Up.

I say my prayers every nightand hope my family will be all right.

By Daniel NoonsGrade 2

John and His Magical Dreams

Chapter 1

John was getting sleepy. He fell asleep. He woke up in a chillyplace. It was all white on the ground. “Where am I?” said John.He saw a man with a brown, fuzzy coat. It looked like it wasmade of bear fur. “Get off the ground” said the man. Hegrabbed my hand and pulled me up. I was so scared. Thensuddenly they heard a big crack. The ice was cracking. We ranacross the ice and I fell to the ground. I fell into a big crack andI just sat there. Then I fell asleep.

To be continued…

By Brian TolmanGrade 2

Summer in November Part 2

As you know how it happened in the last Under the LindenTree. Well I’ll get on with the story. It’s the day afterGroundhog day and I found out that it was a tornado thathit the earth. It made everyone go back 4 years ago. It wasnot a dream at all! My big sister (Lauren) told me!

If someone was 0,1,2,3,4 they would not be alive! Cody,Meghan, Luke, Julia, or Maeve wouldn’t be alive! I would besad that they weren’t alive. I went to the science museum. Itold them we were supposed to be 4 years older than weare now. He told me if I could fix the time traveler I couldsave the world! I said yes! Me, my Mom, Lauren, and myDad helped me fix it. Me, my Dad, and Lauren went back intime! We saw swirls, moons, stars, numbers and peoplethat were alive 100 years ago! Me, Lauren, and Dad thoughtit was cool! To be continued…

By Cate DooleyGrade 2

I Love you!

roses are red vilets are blue no onu is sweeter than you

By Jaqulean JohnsonGrade 2

The Tornado

Once there was a tornado. It was mad because there wasnothing left in its path to destroy. So it continued itsjourney through the desert until it found the last cactus.The tornado destroyed the cactus.

After three days, the tornado found a small town which itdestroyed. It found a small river near the town. It tried todestroy the river but it would not work because the waterwas too deep. All the tornado did was make waves in theriver. People surfed on the river. The tornado was nothappy because the people were happy about the wavesinstead of running away scared. Then the tornado wentaway.

T is for tornadoO is for out of the wayR is for running awayN is for never happyA is for air moving fastD is for destructionO is for opaque

By Jake LoweGrade 2

My best memories of my hamsterPeanutbutter

Once my nana and PaPa came to visit my family fromflorida. Next They took me to the Pet Store and we Lookeda round and then I looked at the hamsters and found ThePerfect one. We bought The hamster and got in The carwhen I got home I took a box and cut the top of and puthim in. So I gave him food and water and other stuff I tookhim out of The box and Put him in The cage and heexplored The cage I took him out. The Next Day was aSchool Day it was sad to leve him he was Sad and I was to.he was sad every day when I Left for School. but one fridaycame and he was not Breathing. it was the worst day of myLife. I cried I was so Sad. but my Parent’s were not home itwas my babbysitter. But my Parents came home. theyhelped me.

The End

By Lauren HuttGrade 2

POPPELTON

Poppelton was going to the store. He bought 199 cups ofyogurt. On the way home, he ate 100 cups of his yogurt.He only had 99 left. He got out of his car. He tried to getin the house but he got stuck. He was so fat he weight33,000 pounds. Poppelton called his friend. Bob cameover and tried to push Poppelton out but he wouldn’t comeout. Bob’s hands got stuck in Poppelton’s back. He thencalled 2 more friends, Fred and Daphine. They tried to pullPoppelton out and get Bob’s hand out of Poppelton’s back.Poppelton or Bob wouldn’t come out. Poppelton lost hiscellphone in his stomach so he couldn’t call anyone. Theythen tried again and they still didn’t come out. It was12:00 am. Poppelton, Bob, Fred and Daphine all fellasleep. It was 8:01 am then Fred went back to his house.He came back with a chainsaw and cut around Poppelton.Poppelton then fell on Bob and they pulled Bob out. ThenPoppelton went on a diet for 4 days and lost 11 pounds.He was 32,149 pounds now.

By Brendan MurrayGrade 2

Smiley

Once upon a time there was a girl.She was funny She smiled all day.Her name was Michaela.She has cousins their names are Alexa,Jacob, and Lily.Michaela and her cousins play together.

By Michaela Ann RobicheauGrade 2

The Doomball

A doomball rules the galaxy.The empire needs to reclaim the planets if there is to be peace inthe galaxy. The doomball is launching an attack, but we have tointercept. We need help from the Confederacy, without them wedon’t stand a chance. “The doomballs’ special attack is ringingember!” The good guys are the star troopers.

To be continued....................

The Doomball 2

The doom ball has been destroyed, but a major flood hashappened. Now the Gloobs take the Calimari Station, and the StarTroopers are trying to take back the station!

By Griffin SypekGrade 2

My dog

My Puppys name is blade and when he grows up he’s goneabe our wachdog.

By Peter SuzioGrade 2

I Like School

I like School so much. My favorite thing is gym, I t is funand I like working with Mrs. O’ Connell. We do games andwork when I am done I go back to my set and do mypractice books. But first we have recess and then we comein and do our work and after we are done we either dosome work in our folders or get out are book boxes andread out of them. I have three books that I like at school.

By Nicole FarrellGrade 2

Wii

One day me and my friend Griffin were playing Wii. When he brotesome root beer and it spild on the plug. It zaped us in the game.The bad thing about that was the game was Super Smash BrothersBrawl. The good thing about it was we were being our best guys.When we were in the game, we saw Sonic and Donkey Kong. Whenwe did Bowser and Warrio came and we had to beat them in thegame. Which made it even harder because we were at the pyrmidbridge. As we started to battle a headless horseman riding on abull with lots of dark armor on came out to charge us. As hemissed us I jumped on top of the bull, grabbed his spear andknocked him off the bridge. The bull charged and hit Warrio. Wecharged back at Bowser and Warrio. Then we stared to battle.Bowser took out his fire sword and Warrio took his pepperbazooka. Donkey Kong and Sonic took out their peanut bazookaand sonic sword. We startedto fight but then we saw ourarch enemies Rick and Pat.They had duplicates of theirbest Wii characters weapons.Pat had a duplicate of thepepper bazooka and Rick hada duplicate of the fire sword.It was the same with me andGriffin. I had a sonic swordand Griffin had a peanutbazooka. So Griffin and Patstarted to fight and I did thesame with Rick. So the fourkids and their best Wiicharacters started to battle.Sonic and me battled Bowserand Rick. Griffin and DonkeyKong battled Warrio and Pat. Iclashed swords with Rick andstopped Bowser from chopping up Sonic. After that we defeatedthem. Then we reached another level. At that level only me andGriffin had weapons. Sonic and Donkey Kong did not. The onlyweapons they had were speed and strength. just then Vector andDark Link came we had to fight them. so we did. I crossed swordswith Dark Link. To our supprise Pat and Rick were there. I said ,wea’r geting out of hear if its the last thing we do! Dark Link saidthe only way you can get out of hear is if you finish level 3. we’reonly at level 2. then we beat them. We are at level 3. Wariio,DarkLink,Vector,and Bowser were at level 3 we started to battle.Wedefeated everyone exept Dark Link. Griffin had anger he said wemust finish him he charged. Donkey Kong and Sonic went afterhim. Dark Link blew all of them away. All of them were alive. I saidlets end this. I smacked swords with Dark Link. then I kicked hissword off the bridge. I shouldered him off the bridge. Then wegave our goodbys and went back. THE END

By James McGarryGrade 2

The day I went to my cousins

One day I went to my cousins house. When i came in thedogs Jumped all over me. Then my Aunt came in andscreamed at the dogs. JJ and LuLu knock it off! LeaveFrederick alone.

After the dogs finished jumping on me I went upstairs.When I came in no one was in there. Then my cousin cameout of no where and said Boo!

Then I said. How dare you scare a guest Like that! Duncanstarted Laughing. then I said whats so funny? What yousaid said Duncan.

What do you mean I said. Never mind said Duncan. Sowhat do you want to play. How about we play game cube?OK!

So what game do you want to play? hockey dah! But I wantto play football. guests pick first. OK fine.

I call im the Bruins OK im the Penguins. OK now lets play!The Battle Begins in 5-4-3-2-1-0 go.

OK we are just about done – OK you won. Yeah me! Nowwhat do you want to do? Lets play in the snow.

Lets have a snowball fight against Jacob and Gus. OK. Letsfight. We Begen in 543210 go!

My mom is here I have to go home OK. See you Later. WaitI have to tell your mom i’m Leaving OK. Bye Dunc.

the End

By Frederick ConwayGrade 2

Fluffball’s First Shooting Star!

One spring night Fluffball looked out of her cage and saw ashooting star. Fluffball wondered what that shiny thing wasin the sky. The thing had purple lines behind it. Fluffballtried to get out of her cage but she couldn’t. In themorning, her owner said, “Did you see the shooting star?”Fluffball thought about the shiny thing. Maybe it was ashooting star. The owner said it had purple lines behind it.Fluffball said it was a shooting star. That was my firstshooting star!

By Sofia CurtoGrade 2

The Puppy that loves winter

There was a little puppy that loves the winter. Wheneverthere is snow on the ground she would run with her boneand ball. She would go outside and play in all the snow.The End!

By Melanie GrantGrade 2

The Snowflake

Once upon a time I was a very very very very very very veryvery pretty snowflake. Her name was Samantha and herlast name is Wencis. The snowflake’s whole name isSamantha Shavon Wencis. I landed in Vermont. It was veryvery very very very very very very very very very very veryvery very very very very fun!

By Samantha WencisGrade 2

Blizzard

I am a snow flake.I am falling in the blue sky,I see the Northern Lights.I fall on A ice castle!I fell in the North Pole.I am slipping,I hit the vent.

By Michael VaillancourtGrade 2

I am a Snow Flake

I am a snow flake puffy and white.I fall with all the other snow flakes.I am falling onto a roof of a home now, goodby.

By Aidan CloughertyGrade 2

My nightmare

I had a nightmare. It was very scary. It had goblins andother scary things like man-eating plants. There werewitches and zombies too! We were in the Museum ofNatural Nightmares! There were two rooms upstairs andtwo rooms downstairs. The zombies were downstairs withthe man-eating plants. The witches and goblins wereupstairs. The goblins and the zombies were the scariest. Iwas locked in the museum and couldn’t get out. Then Isaw an Exit sign. When I walked out I woke up. It was justa nightmare. Phew.

By Jeremy CurtoGrade 2

My Sister

My sister is a kind and nice sister. She is helpful. Shehelps me with my homework, drawing and all sorts ofthings. I’m sad when my sister breaks her bones in herbody.We can’t play when she is broken. When my sister is notbroken, we play softball and baseball together. We evenride bikes around the block together.My sister takes good care of me when my Mom and Dad arenot home. She even helps me with taking care of our cats.I really do not like it when my sister is broken.It makes me sad.If I had a magic wand, I would wave it over my sister to fixher.I love my sister for who she is.I wouldn’t trade her for anything. She’s awesome.That’s why I’m lucky to have my sister… Murphy.

By Ryanne DuffyGrade 3

Mack is Three

Mack’s birthday was January 23, 2009.We had a big party for him!

We got pizza for us, and the dogs ate the pizza crust.Daddy made them meatloaf, too.

All the dogs got presents, and Annie and I did too.Annie and I had fun with the dogs.

We ate cake.Then, I slept with the dogs that night.

Blue’s birthday will be on February 15, 2009.She will be two.

Missy’s birthday will be on July 27, 2009.She will be one.

Dog birthdays are fun!

By Katie CoppenrathGrade 3

Snowy the Snowman

Snowy is a Snowman.He is a lot of fun and funny. He is the best snowman andthe most Joyful Snowman too. I love him and he loves me.His is my best friend and I am his best friend too. peoplesay how can you hang out with a snowman. You are soweird thats what they say to me and Snowy. Snowy said whycan’t we all Just be friends? And they said because we arepeople and your not and thats why we can’t be friend’s andalso when the summer comes you are going to melt. Whenthey said that Snowy was sad and scared, too. Then Snowysaid They are right in the Summer I am going to melt. Noyou won’t melt I will keep you in my freezer until the wintercomes again. Then he said “No,” I need to go my familymisses me very much. I have to go. “No,” You are notleaving. “Yes,” I have to go. I said “bye bye,” I am going tomiss you. I am going to miss you too.See you next year.

By Haley YahoubGrade 3

Untitled

For you my dear, you are my dream I love; like moon lovesthe night.I love you like the sun, like a butterfly loves the sky on asummer day.You are me; and I am you, just to me.Tomorrow, you are my king or queen.I am the year of the dragon I am your dragon,The daylight sky is you; you are sky.You are life in my body; you are me the day of my birth,

Do you know who I am?

By Hannah GoodsellGrade 3

Winter

Winter is very cold. Some are beloe 0. It’s snowing out.What a beautiful sight. Build a snow man 1,2,3. Christmasis coming now. Holiday vancashn is right now. Hope toget some things. Now it’s geting very cold.

By Samantha TroianoGrade 3

Praymantises

Sitting there upon the garden, Blending in oh so well. Avery common spot for them is the garden bell. Sitting thereoh so still. Patiently waiting to strike a kill. Green or brownbut not a sound do they make at will.

By Teresa NormanlyGrade 3

The Call of the Wild

One time I saw a duck in a pond, nothing weird aboutthat..But it was talking! So I ran home to tell my mom and Ibrought her back and there was nothing there .So I startedto explain to her about the talking duck, so I said but therewas a talking duck but she just said great imagination, andwent home. Right after she walked away it, popped upagain.My dad was fishing, he was getting bait, he turnedaround to cast and it disappeared. I went home and nextday I saw a two legged horse it was so weird. I had calledmy mom but she just said your imagination is scaringme, when she walked away and it magically appeared againSo then I called my friend and asked her if she had seen anyof the magic talking animals she said NO! I don’t have thekind of imagination you have. I tried to tell her it was realbut she hung up so I called all my other friends theythought I was crazy. I was a little afraid to go to school.And I love school! But I took the chance and everyone wastalking about my magical animals! I was very excited tohear everyone talking and told them all about my adventurewhere I found them. Everyone was laughing at myadventure and didn’t believe it was true. So I told everyoneto come to my house and I would show them. Next day alltalking animals were in my room. I was really scared andtold the animals no one believed me, so if they would stayand talk I could show everyone they were real. And no onewould laugh at me again. The next day everyone came tomy house and we went to my room to see the talkinganimals and you guessed the animals wouldn’t talk. So wepretended to leave and it was very quiet and guess what,they started to talk and everyone believed me. Then I heardmy mom call me to wake up it was all a dream

By Courtney ConnollyGrade 3

Criminal Zombies

Once there was a man his name was Mr. Nevercraker. He asa scientist but his men poisend him with venom from acobra snake. The men buried the dead body in a nearbygraveyard. After six months passed by, Mr. Nevercraker’sgrave overfilled with groosum blood. Then, Mr.Nevercrackers body started to dig out of the lonesomegrave. Then he robbed money banks and robbed courts.Then he was called the Criminal Zombie. Soon, some policeofficers noticed: “the criminal zombie” one of the policesaid, “Freeze, Zombie” “Do not move, or you will get shot”but the criminal zombie just walked away. Then the zombiewent back to his grave and slept. The end.

By Zoa McGarryGrade 3

Cody + Snow = Best Friends

Once upon a time there was a dog named Cody. He wasborn on June 9, 2008, so this is his first winter. When it wasthe first snow we played all day outside. I tried to build asnowman but Cody kept stepping on it. Then I threw asnow ball at him. He loved it. He started to jump then herolled down the hill. Next we went inside. I had some hotchocolate and Cody took a nap. Then I watched some ofthe Bruins game. The Bruins won by 3. Next the power wentout so we played board games the rest of the day.

By Lauren DooleyGrade 3

My Dog Brownie

My dog Brownie and I went for a walk on the beach.Brownie saw another dog and started to chase the dog.Daisy was the dog’s name. Daisy was a black and browndog.Then Brownie and me went down the beach a little further,and found footprints, we wondered whose foot prints theywere. I thought maybe a fox or coyote. Then the sun wentdown and we started to go home. Brownie heard somethingand ran to see what it was, it was another person, andBrownie didn’t know the person and started to bark.Brownie scared the person away. Brownie was tired so wewent home and Brownie went right to bed and went tosleep. The end

By Shannon ConnollyGrade 3

Missy Loves the Snow

Missy loves playing in the snow.She is a good girl about going outside.

She goes right up to the door and wags her tail and makesnoise.

She will go out in the rain, too.Mack does NOT go out in the rain.

Missy LOVES to play in the snow with Blue.They play in the yard for a long time.

Sometimes, Mack plays too.After they play, they take naps.

Snow is fun.

By Katie CoppenrathGrade 3

Untitled

I can tell you alot about dogs. I have one at my house!Dogs are my favorite kind of animals! My dog is namedAutumn! She is nice, sweet, cudily and mostly cute. Sheloves to play at the beach. And she loves to eat the snow.She loves to play in the leaves and she loves to pick theflowers! One more fact about autumn she also loves tosleep!

By Chloe CamelioGrade 3

Good vs. Evil !

Once there was a man named the “Dude of Fire”. The“Dude of Fire” had the most unusual hair anywhere. The“Dude of Fire” was the worst guy of the villains. The “Dudeof Fire” was called the “Dude of Fire” because his handscould be normal hands or each of his hands could turn intoa burning piece of charcoal!

There was also a man named SS. SS was short forSuperStretch. SS was the best good guy you could get inthe galaxy (our galaxy that is).

SS stretched out his neck and saw the “Dude of Fire”lighting his way through a cave with each hand lit upburning. SS stretched out his eyeballs a little closer to thevillain and saw a little man tap- dancing on the “Dude ofFire’s” unusual hair. Suddenly, SS remembered the littlefellow from college. The poor little fellow’s name was SS.That stood for ShortStuff.

ShortStuff, still tap-dancing, turned around and said,“Shhhhhhhhhh” to SuperStretch. The “Dude of Fire” said,“What is that awful talk you are saying? Now shut up anddon’t stop tap-dancing”.The “Dude of Fire” turned aroundand saw giant eyeballs staring at him. The “Dude of Fire”realized that the giant eyeballs belonged to SuperStretch.The “Dude of Fire” grabbed SuperStretch’s eyelashes andthe “Dude of Fire” got flung back and got hit in the headwith SuperStretch’s stretched shoe. ShortStuff got flungaway from the “Dude of Fire” and landed in SuperStretch’shand. Now the “Dude of Fire” was out-numbered, 2 to 1.Since SS and SS were doubled up and since there was noother villain around the area the, “Dude of Fire” had no oneto team up with. He turned his hands into burning piecesof charcoal!

(continued)

Then, began thebiggest battle in historyor the longest battlewith the least amountof people. ShortStuffhad the ability todistract people and hadthe power to climb anysurface. So, you wouldthink ShortStuff is a lotlike Spiderman? Wellyou’re right. Togetherthe 2 good guys made agreat team. ShortStuffdistracted the “Dude ofFire” while SuperStretchwent for a sneak attackfrom behind. OnceSuperStretch got a holdof the villain, he dippedthe villain’s hands inthe water.

Some people saw the villain once so they reported it to thearmy. Soon, the army got there and SS and SS were hidingon the roof of the cave. The army saw that the bad guythat was causing all the destruction was tied up in a knot.Now there are no complaints of villains. But no one knowswhat happened to the villain or still no one even knowsabout the good guys. Only me and you know about thegood guys. That my friend is the story of GOOD vs. EVIL!

By William KellyGrade 3

My Three Favorite Christmas Presents

My three favorite Christmas presents were awesome. First, Igot a dog a golden retriever that is four years old. Hername is Casey. Second, I got Boston Bruins Tickets for thegame that was on January 10, 2009. It was at the TD BankNorth Garden. The Bruins were against the North CarolinaHurricanes. I got be on the Big Screen holding my sign upfor the Bruins to Win and they DID! The Bruins won 5-1! Mythird favorite present was the video game called MarioSuper Sluggers. It was the best video game I ever got. I gotit from one of my aunt and uncle. I already beat the game. Ialso unlocked a new place called Luigi Mansion and all theother characters in the game. Those were my favoriteChristmas presents.

By Luke MalloryGrade 3

My Fish Blueberry

I have a fish named Blueberry. He is a blue, red, and purplebetta fish. He has a long, beautiful flowing tail. Blueberryis the most beautiful fish I’ve ever seen in my life.Sometimes, when my sister brings in our cat, she trys toget him! He has a pink tank. He also has colored rocks. ILOVE MY FISH BLUEBERRY!

By Kara MartinaGrade 4

A White Winter

A snowflake flying in the skydrizzling down my windowsill,watched by a robin looking for her catch.A doe leaping ever so graceful,like a bird’s chirp spreading across the land.Squirrels scatter to find acorns, becausetheir stomachs ache for more supper.A blue jay crying a sad songher brother has gone.The chills around me haunt melike thunder roaring it’s horrible roar.Snow flying everywhere out of controluntil one morning my eyes see nothing but joyful animals.Now it is spring not more white winter anymore.

By Kelsey BirkmeyerGrade 4

If You Want A Pet Chinchilla.

If you are thinking about owning a pet Chinchilla, you needto know a lot! One important thing is to locate an exoticpet doctor, in case your Chinchilla gets sick or something.A few other things you will need are a big cage, timothyhay, Chinchilla dust, Chinchilla food and raisins. Timothyhay is an important part of a rodents diet, it helps withdigestion and they eat quite a bit of it. Most likely you arewondering why you need Chinchilla dust and raisins. Youneed Chinchilla dust to keep your Chinchilla clean. A reallycool thing about Chinchillas is that they take a bath in dust.You pour the special Chinchilla dust in a tub and then theChinchilla jumps in and rolls around and the dust takes allthe dirt out of the pet’s fur. Raisins are used for trainingyour Chinchilla. They need a lot of affection, their cagesneed to be set up so they can jump around, and they needtons of things to chew on. I don’t recommend plastic toys. Irecommend wooden toys, cardboard or pieces of paper.They chew a lot, when I first got my Chinchilla we put thecage too close to the wall, and she chewed the corners rightoff. Every once in a while you should let them run around inthe house, but you have to Chinchilla proof any area withelectric cords running through and block any exits. Thecuteness comes at a price for you. You just can’t go andget a Chinchilla, you have to think about it, I recommendgetting a book. My family thought about getting aChinchilla for THREE months before we got one.

By Midgie WilliamsGrade 4

My New Dog

I just got a new dog named Casey, who is an English goldenretriever. Her coat is very light golden like parchmentpaper. She is as soft as a feather and is so graceful floatingon top of the water, like a swan gliding on a lake. She is asswift as a fox running in my backyard through obstacles inher path. She runs so fast, sheflies over the grains of grass.She gets so excited when wewake up and when I comehome, she sounds like she’scrying. She is the best and mostbeautiful dog ever!

By Billy MalloryGrade 4

In the Morning

in the morning the sun shine smiling at me. It wakes meup and gets ready in the morning I run in the wind to leave

By Frances TougasGrade 4

The Great Adventure of Scratch

CHAPTER 1The beginning…

When Scratch was born Lord Litter cut him three times on theneck. The same happened to Tinia and Zack, his brother andsister. They come from a royal family. When they got scratchedthey got powers. For Scratch, controllable laser claws. ForTinia, healing powers. For Zack, super-sonic speed.

“TINIA!!!!!!! Huh? Must be out with Cool again.” said Scratch.Cool is very cool he used to smoke catnip but quit. “Oh! Whatwill happen when I catch her with my lucky pendant.” “Zack,where’s Tinia?” “Out with Cool.” “Knew it!”.

“I am going to find her!” Scratch arrived at the restaurant.“Tinia, I told you not to take my pendant!” “HA HA!” “By theway your cuts are glowing.” “Stop it.” He took out his clawsthey had lasers around them.

“Whoa!” Said Cool. “I never knew.” Said Scratch. He put hisclaws away. “Oh my gosh!” said Tinia. At home… Their fatherand mother or king and queen told them about their powers.King Scar is not only a king but a 5 star general in the waragainst Lord Litter. Queen Rose is pretty much a housewife.

“I think he scratched you and gave you your powers becauseyou are the prince, the princess, and… the other prince.” “Alsobecause Scratch and Tinia are the heir to the thrones.” “Heprobably wants Zack as a servant.” Said the king.

CHAPTER 2TRAINING…

“So if he wants to challenge us lets get going.” Said Scratch.“Not just yet.” Said the queen. Remember those gates we neverlet you go through?” “Yah” “Well… that is where the trainingdojos are.” “Your Father will take you.”

When they arrived their father told them what to do. “Thoseare the healing huts, and that is the physical training dojo.”

“Tinia, your mother will teach you how to heal.”….”TINIA TOTHE HEALING HUTS” “Yes sir!” “I will teach you two.” Scratchand Zack looked at each other. “GULP!!!”

In the healing huts… “The most vulnerable part of the body isthe abdomen.” Tinia’s mother pointed to the stomach on themodel cat. “Why did you just tell me that?” “Because” said hermother. “If Zack or Scratch Get hurt there you have to worktwice as hard.”

(continued)

In the physical training dojo… “No Zack skid on your, turnsor you could smash into the wall.” “Sorry!” “UMPH!!!!!” Zackhit a wall “Good Scratch!” “Now try slashing.” “After that trydiagonal cutting.” “Good Zack you’re skidding.”

The kids were all doing great on their lessons. Within a fewmonths they were ready to go. They were on their way!

CHAPTER 3THE ADVENTURE…

As they were walking, the trio talked about the adventure.“Do you think we’ll run into enemies?” Zack said. “Well yah, ifLord Litter wants to challenge us he’ll push us to our limits.Not to mention, pumas, snakes and other things.” They hadentered a forest a while back.

“Hey guys, look at this!” “What is it” Said Zack and Scratchtogether. “A cave” Tinia said “It’s on the map dad gave us!”Said Zack, for he was a pro map-reader. “We should campnear it.” Said Scratch

In the middle of the night they all woke up from a sound.They went outside. Litter sent some-cat out to assassinatethem. “Scratch, I will give you the honor.” Said Tinia “Thankyou my dear” he said. Scratch cut him three times on theneck as Lord Litter did to him. “Tell Lord Litter, thanks for thelaser claws.” Scratch said.

The next day… “Wow this cave is dark” Zack said, “That’s whyyou have me” Scratch used his laser claws.

They came to a split in the cave. “The sun always points in thedirection you want.” Said Zack. “There is no sun you nut job!”Said Tinia. “Then we just go toward Scratch’s light.” Said Zack

When they exited the cave they, exited the forest and cameto a castle. “This must be it.” Said Scratch. “Yah” Tinia andZack said together…

CHAPTER 4THE CASTLE…

Out of nowhere a puma jumped out. “Zack!” “Yep Scratch.”Zack ran so fast around the puma that he knocked it out.

They entered the castle. As they walked through a guard said,“He has been expecting you.” “Who?” Zack said. “I mean, LordLitter.” The guard said.

“Don’t talk to the guards.” Said Tinia. “SHHHHH! You two”Scratch said.

(continued)

All of them were trying to be calm so they just walked. “I’mscared” Zack said “It’s alright.” said Tinia trying to calm him.

They walked through a long hallway with a lot of sculpturesand pictures. “Nice place.” Said Scratch “Yah, nice place”repeated Zack. They went up a very evil looking staircase. Atthe top they saw some-cat who called himself Prince evil. Heis son of Lord litter, and the rest is a mystery.

The trio huddled and made a plan. “Tinia” Scratch said, “Youdistract him we’ll fight.”

Evil took out laser claws like Scratch. Zack ran light-speedaround evil and he got dizzy.

Scratch cut him so bad across the face that he fell down. “TOLORD LITTER!!!!” They all said.

CHAPTER 5 LORD LITTER…

“I have been expecting you.” “We know. And now we’re hereto take you out!!!”“SAME PLAN, ATTACK” Yelled Scratch. Tiniadistracted Litter, Zack made him dizzy, and Scratch cut himbad on the face.

He was hurt but not dead. Litter shot Scratch with laser eyesin the stomach. Tinia tried to heal him as fast as possible.

Zack took Tinia’s post by distracting him. “Hey where is yourpatient?” Zack said.

Scratch snuck up behind Lord Litter and used his laser clawsto cut deep into his back. Lord Litter fell dead. “WHOOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!”

When they got home they told their parents what happened.They were very proud, so they let them make theannouncement that the war was over.

THE END

By Taylor FittsGrade 4

Polly Purchase Pararite

Polly Purchase Pararite,Purchased day and purchased night.She purchased gumballs and building blocks.She purchased crayons and purple socks.She purchased paint and playing dough,Cracker Jacks and balloons to blow.She purchased super bouncy, bouncy balls,Rubber stamps and baby dolls,Bathtub bubbles and pick-up sticks,Lollipops and magic tricks,Flower seeds and a garden hose,Stuffed animals and a star that glows,Choo-choo trains and candy galore.She purchased everything in that store!

She purchased so much,There was no more to buy.No more flags or red hair dye.No more pens and no more ink.No more robots that clang and clink.No more squirt guns, not one thing.No more cans of silly string.No more paper on which to doodle.No more stuffed animals, not even a poodle.

And what do you think Polly did then?She never purchased anything ever again!

By Adeline MundtGrade 4

The Fibbing Frog

Their once was a frog named Fib Fib had a condition thatFib could not tell the truth. He fibbed he fibbed and hefibbed that’s all he did. The reason he always lied isbecause a witch put a spell on Fib. Pore Fib all of thetruthful toads called him names like lire. Fib would not tellon the truthful toads because he was different and feltspecial in his own way.

Chapter 2 Flap and FibFib went on an advancer and met a bird that could not flyher name is Flap the other birds would say meet us up inthe tree. We will help you up. So Flap went to the tree andthey help her up but when she got up they would fly awayand leave her stranded on the tree by her self.

Chapter 3 Work Together a Creepy BridgeFib and Flap were walking and talking and they came to acreepy bridge- to be continued.

By Frances TougasGrade 4

The Funny Bunny

I saw a bunnyIt acted really funnyI saw it hopThe Bunny picked up a mopIt went into a storeI think it wanted to buy some moreI don’t think the bunny likes carrots.I think it likes ferrets.But now you know how funny that bunny was.

By Alexis StappenGrade 4

The Dime-Eating Penny

A Penny ate a DimeThe cops suspected crimeThe Penny was in prison in no time

By Richard GrantGrade 4

The Perfect Day

The perfect day to me is a summer day,swimming, playing and of courseseagulls on the shore.

The perfect day to me is a fall day,finding the first colorful leaf,jumping into leave piles, and of coursehaving a Harvest Festival.

The perfect day to me is a winter snow day,drinking hot chocolate,playing in the snow, and of coursefinding a perfect snowflake.

The perfect day to me is a spring day,listening to new animals,playing new sports, and of courseseeing the first flower bloom.

By Emily NagleGrade 4

Dogs Love

When two dogs are in love, for instance, my neighbors dogKoKo (Danny D.’s dog), and my dog Scruffy, they usuallygive doggie kisses. They howl and yelp and do all kinds ofthings when they see each other. But this love is more than“just love”.

You see, when Scruffy sees KoKo on the porch, he goesbananas! He does this hea hea mea how, well not quite likethat, but, you get the point. When KoKo sees him, shedoes a deep howl like this….hooooooow really low. Theylove each other when they play together. They do a thingwhere one of them puts their paws down and the other onedoes the same thing!

We’re planning a real (sort of) wedding for them, (a summerwedding), where some other pooches will be attending.Like Ollie (Julia Rapoza’s dog), Sandy aka Princess and Toby(my neighbors dogs), Max and Kelly (Frances Tougas’ dogs),Abby Stack, Fenway Pellegrino as well as a few more.

So remember, a dogs’ love can mean two different things.It can mean true love, like let’s share the big milk bone, orfake fake I want the big milk bone all for myself!Remember…remember….remember doggies!

By Isabella EspinozaGrade 4

Chichi and Chubchub:Investigation of the Missing Banana

Once apon a time there was a fat panda named Chubchuband a banana crazy monkey named Chichi. They pretend tobe something different every day. Today they areInvestigators. It all started with Chichi’s banana. He wentto bed with it on his bedside table. In the morning when hewoke up his banana was gone. Chichi thought Chubchubhad eaten it because he was hungrier than usual the nightbefore. But he didn’t do it. So Chichi and Chubchub went tothe park to ask other animals if they saw, or ate the banana.First Chichi asked his sister, Daisy if she had taken thebanana. Daisy smacked Chichi and said she never saw thebanana and stormed off furiously. Even though Daisy saidshe never saw the banana, Chichi automatically put her onthe list of suspects because she looked really guilty. Heasked Princess, his worst enemy, who is a unicorn, but shejust walked away. Chichi questioned his mother, she said,“It could have been a dream, I never gave you a banana lastnight before bed.” Chubchub kept questioning animals.Chubchub told him everyone he asked said they knewnothing about the missing banana. Chichi stopped andthought about what his mother said, he thought long andhard about it. He said, “I never did smell the banana, itreally could have been a dream,” he also said, “But then whydid Daisy look so guilty?” But that is for the next issue ofUnder The Linden Tree.

By Jack Williams & Midgie WilliamsGrades 3 & 4

Why the Sun Comes Up in the DayAnd the Moon at Night

Long ago the moon had a son – sun. His name was Elegro.Mother Moon loved Elegro very dearly. Every night MotherMoon beamed her glowing light gently on the Earth. Allthe villagers down below could only find their way by herlight.

Every day, Elegro, Mother Moon’s son, would shine his big,bright light down on the Earth. All the villagers downbelow could only see by his bright light. Mother Moon andElegro were both pleased to see that the villagers tookadvantage of their lights.

But one day Elegro, the sun, didn’t think Mother Moon’slight was needed. “Why my light is bigger and brighterthan yours!” he boasted. “I will be the light for day and

night,” he insisted. And the day started out normally.Elegro came up and shone his big, bright light over theEarth. But when it became night, Elegro still shone his big,bright light over the Earth.

The villagers weren’t happy. They couldn’t get to sleep! Itwas so terrible. All the villagers were very tired, but theystill thought it was day because it wasn’t dark.

“You see,” said Mother Moon, “the villagers don’t like yourbig, bright light!” she said to Elegro. Elegro agreed andMother Moon took over. So the rest of the night wasnormal and the villagers got a good night’s sleep. MotherMoon thought her light was best, but in the day it was toodark for the villagers to see how they were doing theirwork.

“You see,” said Elegro. “They need my light in the day.”“And my light at night,” said Mother Moon. And that is whyever since, the sun comes up in the day and the mooncomes up at night.

By Adeline Mundt

Grade 4

Vacation

Very Fun

Action filled

Can’t get enough of it

Always activities

Takes to long to wait

I love it

Only summer is the best

Never want it to end

By Emily NagleGrade 4

A Night

One night I was walking through the woods. I came acrosssome scary sounds, crack, crack I could hear. The tree’swere shaking, leaves were falling. My body was trembling.I started screaming the further I walked into the woods. AsI walked past another tree I could hear the noises gettinglouder. I thought it could be a cayote or a bear. I lookedbehind the tree in freight and saw a rabbit, I said yourmaking all that noise! As I walked home I said to myselfWHAT A NIGHT…

By Britney JacksonGrade 4

Talents

One time there were two students who played instruments.They were in a contest against each other. The first studentcame on stage and said, “I can play seven instruments.” Thejudges asked her to play all of the instruments, but theydidn’t think she played any of them well. Then, the secondstudent came on stage and told the judges that she couldonly play the piano. Once she sat down, she started playingthe most beautiful music. At the end of the contest thejudges declared that the girl who played the piano won.

Moral: One wonderful talent is better than seven sloppyones.

By Nadiesha JenningsGrade 4

Lindquist Bay

A puffer is trappedin an underwater caveconcealed from divers.

Christmas Cove

A spotted drumlooks like a half-open jacknife -

if you can find it!

Coral World

Lorakeets dive-bomband, flying about my head,

hope for some nectar.

Snorkeling

Some plankton drift by,not moving an appendage,

soaking up sunlight.

By Jamie MacFarlandGrade 5

The Adventures of Secret Agent Ducky

One day Ducky was going to the mall. At the mall, he founda group of thieves trying to steal a diamond from a jewelrystore. Ducky used his super tickling attack which sent therobbers running for home. That was not the end of Ducky’stroubles. Suddenly another gang of dim robbersapproached Ducky. They wanted to steal a ruby from thesame jewelry store. Ducky used his kung fu action moves totry and keep them from getting the ruby but the robbersused a smoke screen to steal the ruby and get away. “Imust get that ruby back” said Ducky. Ducky goes in searchof the robbers in the alleys of New York City. In the alley hemeets up with his arch rival Evil Penguin. “We meet againDucky” says Evil Penguin. “I can’t chat now” says Ducky, I’mchasing some dim witted robbers who stole a ruby. “Oh”says Evil Penguin, “can I help”? “Sure” says Ducky.The two rivals head off to the Duck Cave. They take theDuck Mobile and head off in search of the robbers. Theydecide to enter an old shady building to look for therobbers. Once inside, Ducky says, “Let’s split up and searchthe building”. Ducky searches in a hallway. Suddenly a netfalls over Ducky trapping him. “Eh-eh-eh-eh” says a familiarvoice. “Evil Penguin why” says Ducky. “You knew I would letyou lead me right to the ruby” said Evil Penguin. All of asudden the robbers pop out. “Here’s the ruby boss” saidthe head robber to Evil Penguin. “Finally, I succeed”! saysEvil Penguin. “Not so fast” says Ducky. Ducky used his knifefrom his ducky belt to slice through the net. He escapesand goes back to the Duck Cave where he hatches a plan toget the ruby and Evil Penguin. He waits by the jewelry storefor Evil Penguin to strike again. As Ducky predicted; Evilpenguin returns to the jewelry store to steal another gem.Little does he know that when he picks up the gem, thealarms will go off and he will be caught by the police.Ducky smiles knowing that Evil Penguin will soon be behindbars.

By Wyatt LoweGrade 5

The Greatest Snowball Fight Ever!!!!!

In the midst of Christmas Eve night, Murphy heard abanging at her window. Kevin, one of the neighborhoodkids, was throwing snowball after snowball at her window,trying to get her attention. It was only quarter past one, soMurphy was very groggy. When Murphy finally draggedherself out of bed, she slumped over to the window andopened it. “Me and some other kids are having a snowballfight in the park. You want in?” screamed Kevin. “Sure,”replied Murphy. She quietly moved down the stairs into theliving room and gently pulled her snow gear on and leftthrough the front door.

She met Kevin out front and started toward the park withhim. When they got to the park, the battle was alreadyraging. “Quick, start making a fort! Most of these kidswere talking about ganging up on me in school!” whisperedKevin. Suddenly, Murphy saw their friend Andrew sprawledon the ground in the middle of the battle. She moved outof the fort toward Andrew. Snowballs zoomed past herface. She was in wide open space. She picked up a chunkof snow and threw it at the nearest kid. It hit him full inthe face and he tipped over backwards. She then draggedAndrew back to their fort.

Snowballs flew over their heads. “Thank you for savingme,” said Andrew. “No problem,” replied Murphy. “No timeto talk! This place will be down around our ears inside oftwo minutes!” screamed Kevin urgently. They then movedto a new fort, but that one fared the same. Andrew, havingsharp eyes, spotted kids hurling snowballs from therooftops. “Snowball snipers, three story house on the left!”shouted Andrew. After they took out the snowball snipers,their fort survived the battle.

By this time, it was 2:30. Murphy was getting tired. Herarm was sore as she had been throwing snowball aftersnowball. Soon, the HIGH SCHOOLERS arrived. “Nice jobFinnegan,” for that was Kevin’s last name. “You told thehigh schoolers!” shouted Johnny. Even the pitcher for thehigh school came. Most of the 6th graders ran for theirlives from the 90 mph snowballs that the high schoolerspitched. Only our main characters stayed, even thoughthey knew that they were going to die. Remember I said

(continued)

that it was Christmas Eve? Well, that is when miracleshappen. One is about to happen in this story. Murphywished with all of her might that something might knockthe snow down from the tree above the high schoolers.Suddenly, something flew out of the air and knocked thesnow down out of the tree. Murphy was awestruck.

Back to that something. It was a miniature sleigh witheight tiny reindeer. Santa! As soon as the sleigh hit thetree, it landed on Murphy’s house. She waited until it wasgone to head back to her house. As soon as she got backinto bed, her alarm clock rang. It was 7:00! She could hearthe pitter-patter of her little brother’s footsteps and hishigh pitched squeals of “Santa was here! Murphy, look!Santa was here!” They opened their gifts and finally Murphyfound a note to her. It read:

Dear Murphy,Thanks for summoning me. Look me up

sometime. Here is my number: 132-465-6978.Sincerely,Mr. Claus

It had truly been the best Christmas Murphy had ever had.

By Evan KellyGrade 5

Mario v.s. Luigi

On a normal day in the mushroom kingdom Mario was asleepunder a shadey tree while Luigi and Link were fish for dinner.Out of know where the sky became dark and Wario and LaLuigiwere coming up with an evil plan. Wario remembered a

previous adventurethat Mario had so heused Mario’s twinkertoys to attach Luigiand frame Mario. Sothey sent out thetwinker toy and theplan had worked.Also it was Mario vsLuigi and Link soMario had to callapon Mr. Game and

Watch. So they faught and faught and during that timebowser, Wario, and LaLuigi had concurred the mushroomKingdom. Three days later everyone was very weak and theywere all evenly matched then finally Mr. game and Watch andLink had fallen from exostion. It was down to Mario and Luigithen Donkey Kong marched and tried to stop them but he hadfailed. Donkey Kong was thrown into the twinker toy andMario and Luigi noticed a Wario symbol on one of the gears.So Mario and Luigi went and took back the Kingdom fromthem and every one lived happily ever after exped bowser,Wario, and LaLuigi.

By Keagan MarcellaGrade 5

If I were a Superhero

If I were a superhero, I would save the world and everythingin between. I would be there if there was a fire or amystery. I will be there if an animal is hurt. I would have acape and a super suit. Also, I would have a mask to hidemy identity. Then I would have a sidekick. My sidekick is adog and his name is Codet Bob.Boy! Some day I will be a superhero!

By Nicole BlaisdellGrade 5