Volume 2, Issue 2

December 2010

Highlights in this Issue: • Banned Books

Week • Christmas

present wish list

• Orange & Blue Book Reviews

Contributors:

Logan Rubio

Alicia Hansen

Melissa Casale

Libby Corlett

Shannon

Wilkinson

Meghan Galuppi

Julianna

Borgious

“I Thought I’d Die”

8340 Soule Road Liverpool, NY 13039

We’re only on the Web!

See us at:

www.liverpool. k12.ny.us/webpages/

srmnewspaper/

Soule Road Middle School

By: Logan Rubio

Welcome to The Heart of

Soule Online

Student Newspaper!

J.Zolick

Alone and stranded in the woods with no food or water. Your body is in total pain. You pass out so many times, you can’t even remember. “I could’ve died. I’m extremely glad to be here.” Mark Russell, 7S and 8S technology teacher, is not only lucky to be alive, but he has experienced a life-changing event that he’ll never forget. On September 9th, Mr. Russell came to school with a brace and crutches. His story is not only heart wrenching but it’s one that will never fail to fascinate those who hear it. It began on August 15th. Russell went out for a simple boat ride at 6:30 a.m. His trip however, turned into a frightening ordeal. While heading back to his boat after a short walk through the woods, Russell took a hard tumble. Immediate pain circulated through his leg. For seventeen hours, he carried himself from tree to tree, blacking out several times. He fell 12-15 times, finally stopping at a tree at about 7:30 p.m. Mosquitoes were everywhere while he called for help. At 12:30 am, a flashlight scanned the trees. Russell knew he was rescued “I called out so loudly that my voice burned,” he said.

Three forest rangers, Robert Barstow, William Benzel, and Scott Murphy, helped him get back safely. After walking three football fields and taking a boat a mile and a quarter back, Russell was at the first aid station. The man told him to come back in a month, but he knew he needed surgery. So, Russell went to his doctor to get a second opinion. As he predicted, he went back three days later for surgery. From that time until now, Mr. Russell has not been able to do simple things. Normally an extremely active guy, he became very frustrated. When asked if he would go out on his own again, Russell answered “Absolutely. Of course I would! Next time, though, I would let someone know where I was. I’d bring a cell phone and a mini survival pack with basic equipment.” This summer, Mark Russell experienced an unforgettable, yet life-threatening accident. He will be forever thankful to the dedicated professionals who went beyond the call of duty to save his life.

One year ago, Mr. Russell posed for a READ poster with a favorite book Dangerous Book For Boys which is still hanging in the front foyer. Who knew that this summer the survival tips inside would come in handy!

Beloved Tech Teacher Survives Ordeal in the Wilderness

Heart & Soule/ Volume 2, Issue 2 / Page 2 of 3

The Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling has topped the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books List for years. Along with this series, the American Library Association (ALA) receives thousands of complaints every year; most frequently from concerned parents, requesting to remove or ‘ban’ particular books from school and library bookshelves because of their “difficult ideas and information.” Every year, the books that parents and educators either challenge or have officially banned get recognized and celebrated during ‘Banned Books Week’. This year, Banned Books Week ran from September 25th to October 2nd and celebrated the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment as is does annually during the last week of September.

One series in particular that is always up on the chopping block is the Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz. The trilogy of books all contain multiple haunting short stories from urban legends collected by Schwartz. These books were made to be read and enjoyed by kids ages 7-12, but many parents would disagree. Thousands of adults say that these books should be taken away from children because they depict murder, cannibalism, ghosts, witchcraft, and have terrifying pictures, that give children nightmares. Critics also say that if these stories weremade into a movie, the movie would be rated ‘R’.

Most would agree, the short stories do contain these scary elements. But the tales are not as bad as people make them out to be. To test the theory that these books are too scary for children, and for some good old fashion fun, some students from the 8R team went to our school library to read some of these short stories to kids from Soule Road Elementary. Kelsey Austin said, “After I read the first story to my group, they weren’t scared at all. They even said they thought the story was silly.”

I can certainly see why many parents might be worried about their kids reading these books, but I don’t think it’s right to take away something that a child enjoys reading. If a child was actually getting nightmares from these books, then by all means, have them wait a year or two before reading them. But, if they want to read them, and a loving parent just wants the best for their child, then perhaps to ease their worries, they could read these stories with their child. I don’t think that it’s right to make a whole school or community suffer from these books being banned because a parent or small group of concerned citizens think the stories are not appropraite. If this is the case, then I say don’t ruin it for everyone else! Put your foot down and tell your child you don’t want them to be reading these books. Go to your local library or book store and help them choose a ‘scary’ book a you see appropriate for them to read that they like. Don’t take away these books from other kids. The way I see it, if someone has it locked in their head that these books are not suitable for any child, and they seriously want the series banned, then I say that person might as well cut the cords on all TVs while they’re at it. There are much scarier things on the news every day that have actually happened. Don’t forget there are plenty of violent videogames that children are exposed to. I believe that if a child is mature enough to know that all of these stories are not real, and nothing bad is going to happen to them after reading them, then all mature kids can and should be able to read all the books in the Scary Stories series. The target age group is appropriate and these wonderful stories should stay on the library bookshelves.

What’s on My Mind… To Ban or Not to Ban That is the Question By: Melissa Casale

According to critics,

these books give children

nightmares and do not belong

in school libraries-

Kendall Keahey reads to students from SRE on October 29. Stories like “The Hearse Song,” “The Girl Who Stood on a Grave,” The Brown Suit,” and Just Delicious,” have been under fire for their content. Students at SRE, however enjoyed these spooky stories when SRM visited on October 29.

A. Curtis

Could you imagine your young and healthy boyfriend being diagnosed with a very rare kind of cancer? For many, this is a hard concept to even comprehend. However, for Julie and Luke this tragic event becomes a reality that will change their world forever. As Luke’s health spirals out of control Julie finds the true meaning of life and love. Will their love conquer al? Or will Luke’s cancer get the better of them both? This book is a very depressing book that will give your heart a tug more than once. However, the content of this book is excellent and will leave you posing the question, “What comes next?” Although Lurlene McDaniel doesn’t use the kind of suspense used in horror stories, there is still that element of not knowing what is going to happen. If you are a person who loves sad, sappy

Heart of Soule/ Volume 2, Issue 2 / Page 3 of 5

Orange & Blue Book Reviews

Don’t Die My Love Reviewed By: Julianna Borgeious

stories then you will adore this book, and this author. Lurlene McDaniel’s books makes you wonder why people go through life always thinking ahead, and never living in the present. Also, this book has an over-whelming amount of sweetness that will leave you in tears up to the very last page. This book depicts real life situations that can happen to any of us at anytime. Her books have a way of making you depressed, while at the same time teaching young adults how to cope with difficult situations that may come their way. This is an excellent read for young adult readers. Lurlene McDaniel has been known for her heart-wrenching, best selling novels including Always and Forever, Angels in Pink, and Don’t Die My Love. She has written over 40 books! Lurlene McDaniel has been on the best seller list and has even had one of her books be put into a literary time capsule in the Library of Congress, to be opened in the year 2089.

McDaniel’s books teach young adults how to cope with difficult situations

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

Reviewed by Meghan Galuppi

“She hadn’t believed in monsters since she was six years old, back when her mom would check the closet and look beneath her bed at night. But at the age of twenty-one, bound and brutalized lying naked on the concrete floor that was as cold as ice, she believed.” Katie, a former Amish child, grew up in Ohio. She moved away, became a police officer, and then moved back to her hometown to become chief of police. Multiple killings of women in their twenties has her small, peaceful Amish tourist town stirred up. Katie’s Amish past may help her solve this thoughtfully planned out, suspenseful, serial killer mystery, but it may also make her lose the job of her dreams. Only she can solve this case… that is until she gets fired! The killer is someone she’s never dreamed of, and alone the way she finds a new friend to love. Linda Castillo wrote over twenty books. She was only thirteen when she wrote her first book but it wasn’t published. Currently she is living in Texas and is working on her next book. The first series she wrote was Operation Midnight. The latest one in the series was Operation Midnight: Cowboy. Castillo completed two books featuring Katie Burkolder, and the setting in an Amish town. Right now she is working on her third book Breaking Silence. She went to school with an Amish girl so she knows so much about their religion. She grew up in Ohio so she knows about its geography, land and climate. Linda has earned many awards like “New York Times Bestseller” and “Holt Medallion.”

I’m glad I picked this book! Even if you’re more into fantasy or romance novels, you will be hooked to this mystery. You will never believe that a human being could turn into this type of monster. This book was so suspenseful that once I read to the climax, I just had to finish the book, which was more than 200 pages. I hope to finish the series by this author because she is very talented. The ending of this book was so surprising. I never thought that the killer could be who it was. I’m very glad that I read this book

out of all the other ones I could of read. It gave off so much chilling suspense that it kept me awake and paranoid at night. I can’t believe that she figured out this mystery all by herself. The details of these murders and Katie’s romance may be disturbing at some times so this book is for young adults and up. It’s the perfect book to entertain yourself with on a rainy day, or any day!

~

At our last meeting, student council talked about our school dance. As of right now, we are holding it on December 10th, on the half day we have, and there is going to be a cool dj, and members of student council working the food stand. At the food stand there will be pizza, drinks, and some candy. Tickets for the dance will be sold during both 7th and 8th grade lunch, and we will probably sell them for a week or a little more, but we won’t be selling at the door into the dance. We also talked a little bit about the things we do on Fridays. Your Student Council President, Alicia Hansen

SOUL POLL

What’s on your

Christmas Wish List?

AUGIE HOLECAMP

“A new basketball hoop”

MARQUIES BALLARD “A big dog!”

BEN SCUDERI

“A new bed”

LEXI RYAN

“A funny hat”

Student Council Update

Alicia’s News

By: Shannon Wilkinson

KAYLA LENAWAY

“I really want a pony”

In the next issue of The Heart of Soule…Speak Your Mind Editorials, Student Council Update, and the Scholastic Artist Competition. Have a story idea? Let your English teacher know! Writers are always welcome! The Heart of Soule, a member of the Empire State School Press Association is published exclusively online and periodically by the students of Soule Road Middle School, Liverpool Central School District. It is intended as a vehicle to inform, educate, and entertain the student body. Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration, Mr. Sheitz or the adviser, Mrs. Colabello.

Joanie’s Story …

Every year I dreaded school. Well, I didn’t but my nose did. I was born with a broken nose and extra cartilage in my nose, just not in the right place. It’s smack dab in the middle of it. My nose never healed so it’s crooked and looks like a crow’s beak. I try to hide my nose, but it’s kind of impossible. I’m gradually getting used to it but it has been 16 years and I’m still ashamed so it will be a long time until I’m ok with it. I’m so sick of people talking about it, whispering about me and making fun of me. I’m done. I’ve gone to multiple doctors in this city to see if anything can be done. They all say the same thing. This condition can get worse; it’s rare but known to get worse. Not so bad that I could die but my nose will have to be removed because eventually the cartilage will form around the bones and possibly block off my nostrils if we don’t do something. There is only one solution. Surgery. …

Over the past month I decided I am officially getting the surgery. I refuse to call it

plastic surgery because I’m not getting a fake nose. They are removing the cartilage and fixing the bone. It’ll still be me. I am worried about what Bobby might think. I told him that my family won’t be coming to Rumson Lake for most of summer, if at all. I couldn’t work up enough courage to tell him about the surgery or the risks if I don’t get the surgery. I know he thinks my nose is perfect the way it is. He’s told me. Bobby isn’t one for change and I know the news will break his heart. I decided I will just wait until after the surgery to tell him. There won’t be much to say because he will notice immediately. My biggest fear for all of this is not the surgery itself but how Bobby will react. He’s my best friend and I can’t lose him. …

The past two months have been crazy. Not have I only made one of the biggest decisions of my life but the surgery is only six days away! The doctors told me that the surgery will take at least 3 hours and I will be asleep for all of it. I’ll be honest. I’m very afraid for all of it but I have six more days to think.

I still haven’t told Bobby but I’ve decided that as soon as I’m recovered that I will call him and his family and they can come have dinner with us. The surgery is tomorrow and I’m excited and nervous at the same time. Mostly nervous but the thought of having a normal nose for the first time gets me through.

My nose is perfect, amazing, and indescribable! I love it and I don’t know if I could ask for more. I’m actually excited for school this year. Bobby came over last night. The worst thing imaginable happened. He didn’t like it. How could he not like it? It’s perfect! He is so frustrating! We got in an argument and I haven’t heard from him yet. I’m mad and disappointed. Sad and frustrated. Emotional really describes me right now. …

Well, this week my best friend was threatened by a certain Willie Rumson and practically held at gunpoint. Bobby’s okay but we are both a little shaken. All that matters is that we are okay and friends again.

Bobby kissed me today! After he got home from work he came to my house and kissed me! I have been hoping this would happen for a long time! I don’t know what came over him but I’m glad it did! We are going to the movies tonight. I can’t wait. This has been the greatest summer yet.

What could be an epilogue to this popular novel?

Read to find out!

Heart & Soule/ Volume 2, Issue 2 / Page 5

Lipstye’s One Fat Summer Epilogue by Libby Corlett