Thursday, June 2, 2011 “Peak” by Roland Smith “You messed up, Pete.” “Peak,” I said. “Like in ‘mountain peak’?” “Right.” “Weird name.” “Weird parents.” Peak Marcello, as his name suggests, is a climber. His mom and dad, both mountain climbers, started him climbing at an early age, and his mom has encouraged him his whole […]
Saturday, May 28, 2011 “The Rules of Survival” by Nancy Werlin But how come there don’t seem to be any rules about when you ought to help others survive? Rules telling you when that’s worth some risk to yourself? Callie and I were working so hard for you, Emmy, but as far as I could […]
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 “Runaway” by Wendelin Van Draanen Well. Stupid me. You should see them now. They’re all huddled up arguing like crazy. Maybe they think I’m going to put a curse on them. I can’t believe it. They’re coming up here? Oh, crud. Frankie’s got a stick. Holly has gone from one foster […]
Saturday, June 4, 2011 “Aphrodite’s Blessings; Love Stories From the Greek Myths” by Clemence McLaren “If I were racing against someone as handsome as Milanion,” Filomena said, “I’d let him win… by just a little.” She gestured with thumb and index finger. Atalanta, princess, has been brought up to be an athlete. When her father […]
Sunday, May 1, 2011 Chicks with Sticks (It’s a Purl Thing) by Elizabeth Lenhard “Oooh, check out the badass knitter.” Tay laughed. “Keep her away from any spray-pant cans, you guys. She’s gonna start leaving tags in alleys.”Scottie straightened up suddenly.“You just gave me another idea,” she said.“Oh no,” Tay said, flinging her stripy scarf […]
Monday, May 2, 2011 “My Father’s Son” by Terri Fields She tells us that we will need to understand and abide by the rules.“I hate rules,” Tattoo Tom says. Kevin Windor, 17 years old, is pretty average. He’s taking AP classes, lives with his mom but spends weekends with his dad. He has a best […]
Friday, May 6, 2011 “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck George and Lenny are not much alike. While George is quick and intelligent, Lenny is large, with the mind of a small child. Yet they travel together, working as laborers in California vegetable fields, George protecting Lenny, and Lenny following George like a faithful […]
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 Necessary Parties by Barbara Dana My parents never used to be concerned about other people’s opinions. I personally think it’s a poor idea to do something, or not do something, because of what someone else will think. No matter what you do there’s always going to be somebody, somewhere, thinking you’re […]
Thursday, May 5, 2011 “The After Life” by Daniel Ehrenhaft “I do,” Will said. He tried to ignore the curious stares. So. The family reunion was complete. Mental note: Start taking meds again. Also, ask Dr. Brown why brain always short-circuits anad makes me talk like a retard during “major turning points.”“Hey, sorry about your […]
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 “Boy Meets Boy” by David Levithan “GUESS WHAT!” I said. She jumped, then tried to pretend she hadn’t been surprised. Since she didn’t closer her book-she only marked the page with her finger-I knew I didn’t have mch time.“What?” she asked.“I’m gay!”Paul, a sophmore at a school where the cheerleaders ride […]