Maycomb Get's the "Chills"



Last week we ha the most unexpected visit. Not by a person, but by a weather. It snowed in Maycomb… citizens were completely dumbfounded by the flaky ice. One official said, “I would have never excepted such a large surprise, my children had fun playing in the snow, we used old cloth as mufflers!”

Another official contradicted the matter. “I hate it! I hate it! I hate it! I used to ask for rain, but snow is above what I expected… I don’t have enough money to give my family food and its too cold to cook anything!” Such a contradictory matter should be taken in account.

Snow infested houses and creeks all around Maycomb. Even though it was beautiful, we still had many problems to clean up the excess water. Snow has been a major problem for the major and their officers. Wait to see how the government acts on this problem.
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Just Another Dead Man





Tom Robinson, the man accused and found guilty for the rape of Mayella Ewell, was brutally killed last Monday. Robinson tried running away from the prison. Three guards shot him 17 times, leaving him dead. Five bullets were found on his torso. Two on his legs, and ten on his stomach. Frenzy infested the county jail. Black’s claiming to disregard Robinson’s “murder” was dis-concluded by the major. That same day, officer Heck Tate visited Robinson’s corpse.

Security forces have been prohibited from talking to media or public. “Tom Robinson deserved that death!” said one of the guards. If this is true, we need to send a reformatory form to the government and just wait till they act.
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Obituary




Ewell, Robert (Bob) age 49 passed away on August 9, 1931. A father and a husband, Ewell was stabbed right next to the liver. His parents had left him by the county dump when he was 15 years old.

Robert built his house next to the dump. Raising his own family with three wives and only two mistresses know. He had survived a suicidal attempt, at the age of 31. He was with Jean Louis Finch and Jeremy Finch when he died. Sighting’s of Arthur Radley were encountered too.

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Dear Editor,

These last past days have been very interesting. The snow really affected my family. We didn’t have enough covers or clothing to be safe from the cold. I have a younger brother, who was completely thrilled with the snow-as, anyone else. He ran out with torn sweaters and broken boots.

My father is a security guard…one who killed Robinson! I really hope the government does something about it cause’ my father should get awarded.

Sincerely,
Ivan Stanley
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Editorial

In my opinion the trial was a complete waste of time. We all know Robinson was going to die anyways! Mayella had every right to accuse him. I saw him get close to my sister. That evil man deserved that.

Lord Of the Flies Analysis

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is completely different in Harry Hook’s movie based on the book. Three major differences shown in the movie which weren’t part of the book are: The captain being on the island with them, their nationality, and Ralph being more supportive of Piggy.

In the book, the captain was not with them. This is very important because they needed a parental figure and if the captain were with them, they would have been more controlled since children tend to listen to adults. In the movie though, they had the captain with them…this is a complete turn around because even though they had a parental figure they were still not managed correctly.

Another point is that in the book they were clearly English, mentioned in many parts…they took pride in it. “….British boys- You’re all British, aren’t you?...” (Page 202) In the movie though they hadn’t mentioned that, or where they were from.

In the book, Ralph was very unsupportive of Piggy…he even bothered him a lot. “He dived in the sand at Piggy’s feet and lay there laughing.” (Page 11) Where as in the movie, whenever Roger or his tribe bothered Piggy, Ralph would always stick up for him.

I liked the movie though the book was better. The book was more intricate and more interesting. Hook could have worked on the plot better and absorbed more information into the movie. Golding did a brilliant job as for making it suck a crowd-pleasing, page-turning book.

Hidden Monstrosity- Chapter 12

“Hold!” he yelled. Roger snatched a spear from the chief’s hand. Jack gulped and nodded. Roger hopped onto the unbalanced rock below him, landing in front of Samneric. Roger poked Eric’s upper rib, signaling his other wrist back and forth… steadily. He dug a hole right blow his heart.

Eric groaned one last time and took deep breaths. Sam glared at Roger who was now smirking with everything but guilt. Eric lay on the sand, his eyes fixed on the stars scattered in the black sky. Sam fell on his knees and cried next to his brother.

He slid his bare back on a tree. “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!” There was a distant chant. The boy scrambled up and picked up a stick, one that Roger left…one that was sharpened on both ends.

Sam climbed his way up to castle rock. “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood,” he jumped over a boulder and squatted. The wind was still, and the stick was in his hand.

Some boys passed him by with out even acknowledging him. Littleuns played by the bon-fire, which was now barely alive.

Sam struck the spear in the air and pierced a hole onto what felt like skin and bones. The littleuns screamed in terror and hid their faces behind the older boys. Sam growled viciously for he was nothing with out his brother. He got up and saw Roger’s corpse.

Everyone stared at him, in terror. Even he was frightened with what he did. Jack approached him and patted his shoulder. Sam lifted his head. Right as he was about to speak, someone screamed.

“Ship!” It was Ralph.

The boys ran to the shore. Ralph was waving his arms back and forth, up and down. All the boys joined-even Jack. The heavy steam from the ship made the air thick. The ship was drifting away.

“Over here!” Yelled Jack. He seemed the most eager, his arms wouldn’t stay still. The ship went away, faster. The boys grew desperate. The night soon fell, Ralph sat by the water, and Jack explored the place he had known. Sam sat by his dead brother. Littleuns slept by the fire. Soon, they all dozed off into deep sleep.

“Sir?” Someone shook Ralph.

His eyes fluttered open, his blurred vision took advantage of him. A man, in a white suit and polished black shoes shook him again.

“Yes?” He asked groggy.

“Sir, I am Captain John Stump and I am here from demand of our general to resue you.”

“Me?” He asked.

“All of you”

The moon was still out. Ralph looked around and saw no one there.

“Where are my friends?”

“All ready on the ship.”

The captain lifted Ralph up into a bundle and carried him onto the titanium ship. They got nourished with succulent pieces of meat, and abundant water. Ralph looked out the porthole, remembering every moment they had. The island, where is best friend died, where he learnt so much, where he suffered.

Ralph gazed off into the surroundings of the small piece of land, which they just left. Drifting away, into the dawn.


* I thought of this ending because in my opinion justice should have been served. Since Samneric are like a whole, with out one another I always imagined them very violent. I continued from the part after Roger becomes the “nameless authority”.

"The Shell and The Glasses" Chapter 10

"You said that before"
repeating, realizing
ignored, ill-treated
yet, misplaced, misunderstood
Piggy, asthma and glasses

You can't have it all

But you can have the solemn weeping willow, its drooping branches like tears on a cheek. You can have the song of the morning birds, and their signal to wake you up at five a.m. You can have the flash of a camera and the screams of the paparazzi, when they want another picture taken--this time with an actor.

You can have the frosting, of the black forest cake, and those strawberries which are garland over, just like the ones mother made for my 7th birthday. You can have the specks of salt in the sandy beach, and if you count them all…add in the ocean. You can have the applause at the end of a performance by some else, maybe the standing ovation too.

You can have the shiny coating on the nails, over the perfect purples, classic caramels, and the innocent indigo. You can listen to all the apologies in the world, but only one comes from the heart.

You can own the dimples on Cleopatra’s face, but miss her smile. You can be unfaithful, but you know it kills people. You can fall but you have to get up. You can have all the stars in the sky, and keep them in a jar. You can have Christmas spirit in your heart, even if it’s April. You can have destiny and change it as you live.

Dreams Galore

Description: Dreams are like life, but you decide how to live. When ever I read these poems it reminds me how important it is to dream.

Synopsis: True or not? These dreams might or might not come true, but dreaming has never hurt anyone, so why not dream?


Dream Variations By Langston Hughes

The Good-MorrowBy John Donne

A Dream Within a Dream By Edgar Allen Poe

Bedside By William Olsen

A Book Said Dream and I doBy Barbara Ras

Dawn DreamsBy Rachel Hadas

DawnBy George Hitchcock

The Land of NodBy Robert Louis Stevenson

Texas Leather-Benjamin Moore AC-3

She smiled at the mirror
Nervously
Like a child coming out
In a school play
Did she look good?

She walked outside
And it was all a fairy-tale
Christmas lights
Hung in July

Glassy eyes
Filled with
Love

Her lips were glossed
His tie was right
They
Secretly
Soundly
Safely
Took breaths
And said their vows

Her father waited
Outside
Tick tock
Tick tock
He took off his jacket
His Texas leather
He held it close to his chest
Like he held her
On the day she was born

His daughter and her good-for-nothing
Husband ran out
Her hands grasping the
White orchids

The father ran towards her
And placed his jacket on her shoulders
“Daddy,” she said
Her voice excited but
Weary

He nodded and let them go
She hugged her father one last time
As they ran to the
White Ford Mustang
Soda cans tied to the bumper
And rattled away.

First Step 2 Forever:My story

Reviewed by: Mehr Eliezer

Author: Justin Bieber

Title: First Step 2 Forever: My Story

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: Memoir

Where I got it: I got it from a friend who is a huge Justin Bieber fan.

One sentence summary: Justin Bieber was not always a singing sensation; he was a hockey-playing kid who just loved to sing.

First sentence: “Rolling into the XL Center, I feel like I ought to have skates on my feet.”

First chapter review: The first chapter, in my opinion is the best one of all. I have realized how hard life can be for someone and how much they appreciate everything around them. Justin Bieber was only a simple boy, whose father left him and his mom earlier in life. His mother (Pattie) and him were struggling for a living in a small city called Stratford. The book is filled with pictures and quotes of him growing up.

Bieber talks about his life on wheels (referring to the tour bus) and all the people around him who support him. The plot is very intricate and every page left me hanging for more.

Verdict: First Step 2 Forever is definitely one of my favorite books, he has dished out a complete new world no one knows about in less than 300 pages. Not only did it teach me so much, Bieber wrote the memoir beautifully and it’s just breath-taking packed with tears and laughs. I wouldn’t recommend this book to pre-teens but mostly to teenagers.

Cover: The cover is a picture of Justin Bieber; the photo has blur edges and purple letters for the font. Photos by Robert Caplin.

What is it?

No chasing,
imaginary
when the some was
gone...
rolling noisily to rest among
dry leaves
grass
worn away
untrodden in the center
of the triangle
thick again

When the sun was
straight or
leaning
tangle
of golden reflections

But now the sun
was slanting
in a tone shadows were
when they ought to be

mood of speculation
lit above or below

What was a face?
What was anything?

Where I am From

Where I am From
By: Mehr Eliezer

I am from books, from Harry Potter and Twilight
I am from the tiled floors
(Clean, slippery, and smelling of Clorox)
I am from the pine tree
The carnations, dolphins that swim in the sea, the maple leaf, roses, and chirping birds.
I am from the late-night Saturday dinners and the big brown eyes, from Joseph and John and Johnson.
I am from the braniacs and dreamers.
From “The world gives back!” and “Don’t forget to dream tonight.”
I am from Nazareth and the thin pages of the worn-out Bible.
Im from India and the Joshua’s branch, turkey and hot chocolate
From Mama’s stolen phone, now in someone else’s hands, the tachycardia attacks papa had.
I am from the photo’s hung on the olive walls, simply teens, filed papers…packed with bills and contracts.
I am from the fantasy people seem to the pages of this dream.
I am from the Cherry Blossom and it’s pastel leaves…though we are supposed to shed in the winter, my family and I stay put on its auburn branches that stretch into people’s hearts.

500 miles per hour disaster

Japan is one of the most productive countries we have in the world. One country that we get most of our electronics and supplies from. On March 11, 2011 a group of adept scientist warned the coastal range to evacuate, since they saw traces of an up coming earthquake that would trigger a tsunami. Even though some civilians were fitful they knew it was matter of life or death.

The magnitude of this earthquake was 8.9 which later scientist confirmed a 9. With hundreds of people missing and a couple more hundreds dead, Japan will have a pang in their heart. After all the devastating and crucial damage this wall of water and earthquake have caused the world wont be the same.

Countries have been helping by donating money to facilitate in re making the things damaged. Including: The United States Of America, Canada, India, China, South Korea, Chile, Argentina, Germany, etc. Other than that Japan had a nuclear power plant, which let out a bit of steam. Though the scientist and people working on this case have said nothing about it.

They have tried to decelerate the wave but it was going 500 miles per hour. Being the third strongest earthquake recorded Japan was a developed country and hopefully will continue to be.

Me Talk Pretty One Day book review

Me Talk Pretty One Day
David Sedaris
Book Review
Reviewed by: Mehr Eliezer

Me Talk Pretty One Day, I think David Sedaris gave this memoir the title he did because of his initial speech difficulties and how nobody understood it.

This memoir is about the author and his family, it includes every one who had affected his life, and who helped him grow, and learn from his mistakes.

The format starts from his early ages and grows as he does along with the problems and difficulties of his life. This memoir is in two parts. Part one, starting from North Carolina till New York and part two, when he moves to France.

Something the memoirist learnt about himself was that he could do anything he wanted. At first he had a lisp and was very untrained in the field of writing. He was always forced to do things he didn’t want to. But he learnt from every moment and used them to help him in the future and peruse his desire of writing and teaching.

Me Talk Pretty One day is a book I would recommend to every one. It’s a hilarious memoir. Sedaris has done an excellent job of displaying his childhood memories. He talks to the reader with open arms. His memoirs consist of mind-boggling moments and extraordinary examples and demonstrations of life, as we know it. An excellent portrait of siblings and family.

Some lines I absolutely loved were:

“My father always struck me as the sort of man who, under the right circumstances, might have invented the microwave oven or the transistor radio.” (Pg. 31)

“I had no job at the time and was living odd the cruel joke I referred to as my savings.” (Pg. 94)

“Her tone of voice suggested that she was possibly begging someone for a heart or kidney, something urgent.” (Pg. 101)

“He wouldn’t understand that she has no interest in getting married and was, in the fact, quite happy to break up with her live-in boyfriend, whom she replaced with an imaginary boyfriend named Ricky.” (Pg. 131)

What I Believe

I believe day dreaming
is an escape to reality

I believe in more than one
nickname

I believe one day
two sides of a coin will meet
weather they like it or not

I believe in perpetual second
chances

I believe every girl
should carry emergency chocolate

I believe someone's life story
should be written in pencil,
so they can go back and
erase unwanted memories

I believe in drinking unlimited amounts of
iced tea
on sweltering summer days

I believe in Nestea

I believe birds and fruits should not
have the same name...even if they look
alike

I believe photos are
memories caught in time

I believe in Kodak

So at the end of life,
When someone completes their circle
we will all have
something to
believe in.

They are after me...

My name is Payton… they are after me. All of them, those men in black suits. They want to hold me ransom, to my father’s money. He is a graduate from M.I.T. And is currently the top scientist in N.A.S.A. People lionize him so much, they stay over night out side our mansion. They assimilate every single detail. There are people trained to follow him. And that is where I come in, The daughter of a multi-millionare, I am supposed to be meticulous about who I hang out with, or talk with. I don’t see my father much-not anymore.

Anyways, there is a man… Lucifer Blair. A man, trained to follow me, wanted by the F.B.I due to several cases. Lucifer has been “stalking me” for a year now. My dad and I had a dissension, since he wanted me to be protected by body guards. But now I regret not taking the offer, since I am running bare-foot, away from a bulky man. I have to admit I am scared. Should I stop running? No I can’t, I won’t.

Summer of 2005

It was he summer of 2005. In a small town in the east of Arizona. Becca was a ten year old girl who had murdered 5 people. Some say she conspired to kill more but no one has enough proof. They blame the anarchy in her house. Her father is a drug addict and her mother is a waitress in IHOP. There are only certain people that apprehend her problems but that is very rare. Others say she is a psychopath untreated. She once killed an old farmer by the western county. Why? No one knows.

Other rumors have pervaded among the state. But none seem to be true. Becca leaves traces on the hands of the people she kills. They are usually a lock of her hair. Or something completely bizarre like a piece of paper or an empty perfume bottle. When she was seven she was caught by the police but had escaped. No one knows about Becca and her family anymore. She might have moved, died, or she might be hiding. The FBI has gotten their noses in to this case and will not stop until an answer has been found.

Fourteen

Fourteen... just a number...right? I'm bull's eye, to life's shotgun. I try hiding behind tables and doors. But always end up shot in one way or the other. I try running away, from problems, and difficult times. But somehow reality catches up. Fourteen is more than a number, more than a problem. Some might take it as growing old. Others might take it as a step to a stairway, each being a year blocking their view. Im not sure as how I take it, not yet.

I remember when I was 6. I would swing on the monkey bars in the park, right after school. My knees, scraped from falling. My hands, so very small. My clothes dirty from the mud. And my homework all done. I would go get an ice cream in the store next door. Always the same flavour, my maid would complain. I would hold it in my hand and walk back home.

We would go up the stairs, since the elevator would take so long. My maid, yet huffing and puffing wouldn't complain about this, not anymore. I'd sit on the brown couch and read Amber Brown. Mommy would come out and read next to me. She used to read such big books, I wanted to read them too, but I was too small. Then we would sit down and paint. And later have dinner. Daddy, would read me a good night story, until I fell asleep.

But now, things are different. I come home and do my home work. It takes a long time, since I start getting sleepy. Then when I am supposed to be making my bag for the next day, I just stare out the window, and feel the breeze cooling my sun kissed skin. I watch the sun set and the moon rise. And enjoy it while I can.