Here we are, the Annual Kids Edition. We received a ton of entries and choosing among the many submissions was difficult. This was especially true when it came to poems. I think we probably received a record number of submissions from young poets. Thanks to everybody who submitted. – Pete Mazzaccaro

The 12 Days of Thanksgiving

by Gretta Maguire, Age 8

On the first day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

A turkey with a key.

On the second day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the third day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the fourth day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the fifth day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Five rolls of rolling, four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the sixth day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Six mashed potatoes, five rolls of rolling, four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the seventh day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Seven delicious string beans, six mashed potatoes, five rolls of rolling, four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the eighth day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Eight broccolis breaking, seven delicious string beans, six mashed potatoes, five rolls of rolling, four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the ninth day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Nine butter pats buttering, eight Broccolis breaking, seven delicious string beans, six mashed potatoes, five rolls of rolling, four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the tenth day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Ten pumpkin pies, eight broccolis breaking, seven delicious string beans, six mashed potatoes, five rolls of rolling, four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the eleventh day of Thanksgiving my daddy gave to me

Eleven pilgrims dancing, ten pumpkin pies, eight broccolis breaking, seven delicious string beans, six mashed potatoes, five rolls of rolling, four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

On the twelfth day of Thanksgiving, I used my daddy's key

To start twelve parade floats, eleven pilgrims dancing, ten pumpkin pies, eight broccolis breaking, seven delicious string beans, six mashed potatoes, five rolls of rolling, four gravies grieving, three bags of stuffing, two cans of cranberry sauce and a turkey with a key.

Freedom Of Speech

by Isabella Tighe, Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, 8th Grader, Chestnut Hill, PA “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led like sheep to the slaughter” was said by a very inspiring person and great object of leadership, George Washington.  This quote isn’t the type of thing you see and think nothing of it. Maybe to others it has no meaning, but when I see this quote it makes me stop and think about how lucky we are to have a say in what goes on in our lives.  Then I think about those who live in other countries led not by someone they choose, but by someone who is chosen for them.  There are people who long for their voices to be heard and their say to be valued.  This right lets us do things like the ¨March On Washington¨ led by the great leader of freedom, Martin Luther King Jr.  If we didn’t have freedom of speech who knows where we would be today. African Americans and women might not have the same rights as other Americans, like the freedom to vote. We would not have the opportunity to freely boycott against what we think is wrong.  We would not have the ability to speak our opinion.  Lastly, we would not be the America we are proud to be today.  So never again will we be lead silent and dumb, like sheep to the slaughter.

The Worst Day Ever

by Anthony “AJ” DiFranco, Germantown Academy, Grade 2 Stroker had the worst day ever.  He had to do 1,000 days of detention just for flaming 100 pounds of homework, failing one question, and getting an A+! He hated the teachers… except his.  He loved his teacher.  This teacher was a dragon too.  His last teacher was a vampire and almost bit him last adventure! He walked with his best friends.  His favorite was Octo, the pistol octopus. The walked until they saw the –BOOM! BOOM!- LUNCH LADY! She looked greenish.  Usually, she was a pretty human.  Now, she was a zombie!  They stood still, not knowing what to do.  Finally, Stroker grabbed Tidal's lunch box, grabbed the salt, and they battled.  He knew the only way to kill a zombie is to throw salt in their mouth.  Her mouth closed, so he had to fight to get her mouth open.  Finally, he managed to open her mouth and throw some in.  She fell, smack dead. They walked some more halls around the school, when the werewolf alarm went off!  They stopped as it got louder. Then, the werewolf came in man form… What will happen next? Don't miss the next flaming book, "Case of the Werewolf!"

The Story of a Pumpkin

by Kelly Doerzbacher, Age 10, Norwood Fontbonne Academy Once upon a time, not too long ago, maybe yesterday (which is long for a pumpkin) Orange III was carved.  Orange III or "Ory" for short, was a 12 year old, large, round, bright, orange pumpkin who wanted adventure during the busiest time of year - Halloween.  Every year, pumpkins get dressed up and ready for carving except for Ory.  She has never been carved but, this year, she wanted to so she made her way to the front of the patch and let a little girl pick her up and carry her away. The girl was apparently named Gertie and was 6 years old.  Gertie and her dad carved Ory up.  They cut her, and carved her, and twisted her until she looked like a patch of leaves. Ory loved every minute of it.  She knew the magic wouldn't last and soon she will become soil again, but she is sure she will be carved next year, and she is excited about that.

Vivienne flies a kite

by Martha Roberts, Homeschool, Grade 3 Vivienne couldn’t wait for a windy day. Every day, she ran to the computer to check the weather. The answer was always ”sunny’’ or ”rainy’’ or ”cloudy’.” Some days were too windy to fly a kite. As Vivienne came racing down to breakfast, she asked , “Mother, may I fly a kite?’’ ”No, Vivienne,’’ said her mother. “The wind is too strong.’’ Some days didn’t have enough wind to fly a kite. As Vivienne walked home from school, she asked her father if they could fly a kite. Her father said, “The wind is not strong enough.’’ The next day, Vivienne, and Miriam, her 18‐year-old sister, went to the weather station. Miriam said “Two tickets for the weather show.’’ At the weather station, the movie was ”Riding on a Kite,” a movie that Vivienne loved. The next day, Vivienne slept a lot. Miriam burst open the door. ”Get up!’’ she said, ”your day is here!” Vivienne looked. Perfect weather for a kite! Vivienne forgot to take off her pajamas or eat her food. She flew the kite until lunch time.

Plump Food

by Tate Jensen, Age 7, Germantown Friends School, Grade 1 I crunch the plump carrot I munch the plump cookies I gobble the plump beets I take all the plump greens I finish the plump chicken I nab the plump beef I get stuffed by the plump spaghetti But I’m still eating I squeeze the plump lime into me I slam the plump rice I pull out all the great plump pork I win against the plump candy I eat the really really plump cake But with all the plump food I ate I’m even plumper

If You Want To...

by Lily Jensen, Age 7 If you want to run I'll be your road If you want to write I'll be your paper If you want to read I'll be your book If you want to swim I'll be your pool If you want to sit I'll be your chair If you want to sing I'll be your song If you want a friend I'll be your friend.

Friends

by London Barabin-Solomon, Grade 5, Our Mother of Consolation We have our ups and downs. They can make you week and turn you upside down. Other times when I am with them I feel like a queen with a crown. They can break your heart sometimes but I love them.

Swimmer

by Emma Del Vechhio, Grade 5, Our Mother of Consolation There once was a swimmer from Maine who wouldn't stay in his lane. To his own fright he got a shark bight and was never seen from again.

A Martyr under Nero

by Martha Roberts, Grade 3, Asai Hagan, Grade 3, and Anaue Hagan, Grade 5. (Homeschool). A dark, cold, dripping place, I wait for the emperor’s men For them to come and slash my face And then I’ll rise again.

Violence

by Kennedy Fields, Grade 6, Our Mother of Consolation As I step back, I wonder- What has this world become? It seems there is violence everywhere. But the you start to see- What this world can be- with help from you and me!

The Gold Tok Land

by Niko Shapiro, Age 6, Project Learn School My dream is I dance in the light of the sun. Playing and platting in the face of the sun. In the face of the sun, I climb on the tree And my family too Swinging da dee. As I fall to the sea, I fall on a boat To ride with my friends To the land of the Oz Where the Nuna trees grow. I dance while eating And dance I do With a gold Tok fork and a gold Tok spoon. Into the gold Tok palace I lay down to bed. The next day I will play all I want In the face of the moon and sun.