Issuu

An anthology of writing and art by Toronto’s newest young authors

© 2022 Story Planet and The Reading Partnership ISBN: 978-19-89694-30-5 This program was made possible by TD Bank Group. We gratefully acknowledge the support of Scarborough Arts, the Pinball Clemons Foundation, and the Auxilium Foundation.

Cover & title pages by Rhael McGregor Book design by Mumblethief Christopher Green All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Story Planet and The Reading Partnership.

The Reading Partnership works with local partners and parents to promote and improve literacy in the communities that need it the most. Our mission is to create and deliver literacy-focused programs and resources that empower children in the early years, and their families, to be successful at all stages of life. We have a vision that every child in every community receives the support they need to learn to write and read so that they can reach their full potential and succeed in school, work, and life.

Story Planet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of children and young people in Toronto's equityseeking communities. Our creative writing workshops inspire kids to imagine and tell stories while building literacy and confidence in the value of their words and ideas. We occupy a unique place at the intersection of the arts, social justice, and education.

We are situated on the traditional lands and waters of the Petun and Wendat Peoples and the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee Confederacies and, most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River and many other Indigenous nations, some of whose names are no longer remembered. We acknowledge that it is a complicated privilege to live, work, and tell stories on this land. We remember that this territory continues to be subject to the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Three Fires Confederacy of the Anishinaabek to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, the meeting place of T’karonto is still the home to many Indigenous Peoples from across the continent, and we are grateful to work in the community on this territory. We commit to actively learning the history of this land, the genocide of the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples who lived, and continue to live here, and the theft of their land. We commit to researching and learning the names and history of all who came before us no matter where we are in Canada (you can do the same at native-land.ca). We are consciously working to recognise and decolonize colonial frameworks and roles that are present in all aspects of the work we do, and the lives we live. Throughout history many Indigenous Peoples, Black people, and others have suffered to gain equality, well-being, and identity. We welcome you into this community with us as we acknowledge and remember the past and give thanks for the land we are on and the territory we are in.

In November of 2022, thanks to the support of TD Bank Group, we launched our ninth 360° Stories program! Eighteen new authors from East Scarborough and the Greater Toronto Area crafted some truly inspiring stories. We’re very proud of our creative writing and art program, led by professional writers and artists. The children, all between the ages of 9 and 12, experience the full publication process, from brainstorming their ideas and developing a polished, edited story to creating art to accompany their writing in the final book. This resulting collection of stories could only spring from the imaginations of kids. You’ll meet dragons living among us, helpful creatures in the woods, and a hero who saves the day with soup.

These young voices deserve to be shared with the world, so let’s celebrate the hard work, creativity, and unique stories brought to life in these pages. This is just the beginning; there are no limits to what they will create next! We’d like to say a huge thank you to TD for making this program possible, as well as the Pinball Clemons Foundation, Scarborough Arts, and the Auxilium Foundation for their ongoing support of 360° Stories.

Camesha Cox

Liz Haines

The Reading Partnership

Story Planet

CONTENTS

The Kid Who Became the Strongest

The Diary of the Greatest SOUP-er Hero

The Amped Brothers

The Beauty of Scarborough!

Roommates

Sliverstone Woods

The Hike to the Valley of China

The School Twins

The Adventures to Earth

No More Bullying

The Mystical Hero

The Crystals

The Three Girls

Tate Plays Doors

102

The Peace Gem

106

Rise Up Chosen Ones!

114

Point of No Return

122

By Amnen Solomon

By Apiraamy Thilagan

By Benjamin and Ezekiel Walker

By Chakai Frater-Wandja

By Oghenefejiro (Efe) Omogeroh

By Eseoghene (Ese) Omogeroh

By Golda Annee Gnanasegaran

By Habeeba Khan

By Heyab Solomon

By Kahrel Caesar

By Kamshikan Kiritharan

By Kennedy-Reign Frater-Wandja

By Layal Abu Younis

By Patrick Charles

By Somaya Grace Peart

By T-Jae Atkinson-Davis

By Tsean Abiodun

THE KID WHO BECAME THE S TRONGES T

Thousand Sunny ship. As the

n an island far away lived a kid

main leader of the Thousand

pirate named Monkey Luffy.

Sunny ship, Luffy was responsi-

Many of his days were spent as

ble for helping his crew get

an outlaw. He didn’t live in any

wherever they needed to go.

one area, so he would travel across countless waters, bouncing from one island to the

A secret benefit that came from

next.

being part of this amazing crew was that when they all put their powers together, they became

Joining him along his epic

stronger! Through thick and thin,

adventures were eight of his

Luffy knew that he could always

pirate friends. Actually, Luffy con-

count on his crew, and they knew

sidered them to be more like his

the same about him. Make no

crew than his actual friends.

mistake: there was nothing Luffy

Together, they journeyed all over

wouldn’t do for them.

the globe and, with their super awesome skills, searched for treasure wherever they could

Even though Luffy was just a kid,

find it.

he was not afraid to fight for what he knew to be right. With the help of his crew, Luffy had

Luffy had the best leadership

already conquered many big

ability out of his whole crew, so

battles. Some of the people they

he was made captain of the

had defeated together were

To Luffy, it didn’t matter how

those who wanted to do bad

strong Black Beard and Kaido

things and hurt other people.

were; he was ready to take on the challenge. He figured since

Though Luffy had won lots of

he had already conquered the

important battles in the past, he

other two emperors, he was

had even bigger ambitions: For

halfway there. He just had two

as long as he could remember,

more to go!

he had wanted to be king of all the pirates among the islands.

On his way to fight against the remaining two emperors, Luffy

But according to the mighty

and his crew decided to stop at

pirate superiors who decided

an island for a snack break. That’s

these things, there was just one

when Luffy’s eyes landed upon a

thing he needed to do first:

random fruit he saw up on a tree.

defeat all of the emperors of the New World. These rulers’ names

The fruit was pretty interesting to

were Kaido and Black Beard.

Luffy because it didn’t look like

Though Kaido was fairly strong,

other fruits he had seen before.

Black Beard was known to be

This one was in an odd oval

stronger, and they both wanted

shape and spotted. To top it all

the throne to themselves.

off, it was covered in some sort of strange mythical pattern.

Luffy picked it off the tree and bit

the ship. While on their way over

into it. It was gummy inside! Then

to Tailed Island where the

he took another bite. And

emperors lived, Luffy and his

another. And another…until finally,

crew noticed something on the

he finished it off.

water in the distance. They looked closer and recognized

After eating, he immediately

the wooden boat with the beard.

noticed something different

It was the emperors, Big Beard

about himself. Shockingly, Luffy

and Kaido.

could now stretch his body high in the sky! He could even throw

Quickly, the crew prepared

massive punches that would get

themselves for battle. They lined

bigger when they landed.

up and started firing cannonballs

Although Luffy was happy about

at the other boat. The emperors

his new superpower, he also

and their crews started firing

knew that there was no way that

back. After they had been at it for

his secret could get out.

a while, everyone started getting

Otherwise his opposition could

tired because no side was

use it against him. So he swore

beating the other. Luffy knew if

his crew to secrecy.

he wanted to win this fight, he had to try something new.

When everyone had finished eating, they all climbed back into

That’s when he remembered his

a steely blue. Luffy’s eyes began

super incredible powers. Not

transforming into the colour of

only could he throw a series of

blazing red.

mega punches, but he could use his most powerful weapon of all:

After about a minute of staring,

his fiery staring abilities.

Luffy started to feel warm. It was the presence of haki heating up

In order to switch this special

inside him. All of a sudden, Luffy

power completely into gear

fell to the ground! The weight of

though, he would have to use

haki had too been much for Luffy

haki. Haki was when two people

to handle.

stared so deeply into each other’s souls that their hearts

When Luffy was still lying on the

exploded. It was such a forceful

ground for what seemed a long

strategy that it had to be used

time, his crew began to worry.

carefully. Only the strongest had

They stop their fighting. Could

ever survived.

this be the end?

Luffy chose to make the first

Convinced that he had defeated

move, and began to eye Black

Luffy, Black Beard told Kaido and

Beard from across his ship. Black

both of their crews to stop the

Beard gazed right back with so

battle. Then they all turned

much power that his eyes turned

around to go back to their island.

With their backs turned, a

Black Beard and Kaido, where he

movement shook the waters. It

was crowned king of the pirates.

was Luffy! He was okay. In the end, Luffy had proven Black Beard made the mistake of

himself to be the strongest of

looking back. When he did, he

them all and truly deserving of

found Luffy awake and staring at

the victory.

him hard. Luffy continued to stare, until Black Beard could no

The best part was that he had

longer take it. With Black Beard

found the greatest treasure of all:

at his weakest, Luffy stretched so

a place to call home.

high in the sky that he towered over the emperor's boat. Black Beard didn’t see Luffy’s mega punch coming, so it smacked Black Beard right into the water!

After Black Beard was defeated, Luffy and his crew continued fighting Kaido and the remaining crew members, and he overcame! Luffy then travelled to Tailed Island formerly ruled by

*story inspired by One Piece. 17

If I could time travel, I would go to 2035 because everyone will probably have robots. I want people to know that I love reading. Something I’m proud of is being a good basketball player.

THE DIARY OF THE GREATES T SOUP-ER HERO

place because…IDK, so I guess

ear Reader: This is the story of how I, the verrrry epik Soup-er Hero, saved

I’m going. I said goodbye to

the world from a global pandemic. I,

everyone in the neighbourhood.

Soup-er Hero, have sent this book to

The town is small so I could just

you in late March 2032, and you will

fly across it in like three seconds.

probablyreceivethisinApril2020—COVID

I know EVERYONE in this place

times. Just know that this isn’t the worst

so I said bye to everyone. I got on

pandemic you’ll be facing and will

the train and rode…away.

certainly not be the last…

February 31, 2032 Right now I, the amazing Soup-er Hero, am in Taerg. This is my hometown, this has been my home since, uhh...FOREVER! Like, this place is great—EVERY single

This is me. I am so so cool.

tourist that has ever set foot on

March 2, 2032

this land has said that this place is “great.” Some people say that

I am back from the train and

Taerg is literally “great” spelled

honestly I was VERY TERRIFIED!

backwards which just adds to the

Someone said I had to wear this

fact. I agree I don’t want to leave.

cloth on my face to prevent

I don’t even know the reason.

germs from getting to me. I WAS

They told me I have to go to this

TERRIFIED! I was not having it, I

really hate germs. Some people

like this...I think. There are a lot of

say I need a “therapist” and I have

things I don’t understand, like

“mysophobia” (which I learnt is

what's supercalifragilisticexpiali-

the name for people who are

docious? I searched it up on

scared of germs) but like I don’t

Goggle and I’m pretty sure no

have it, why would I uh…I think I

one knows what that means. I

need help.

also don’t understand how to get my cloth on. It’s impossible now

March 3, 2032

that I think about it.

I went to bed and I feel A LOT

March 4, 2032

better. I don’t need help. I’m fine. As I was saying before I rudely

Today I looked outside my

interrupted myself, I was trying to

window and saw a bug size germ

put the cloth on my face but

thing. I was like, “Whaaaa?” I

then I realized that I don’t have a

thought germs were invisible. I'm

mouth, or eyes, or a nose...I’m not

really not that smart but I know

even sure how I’m alive right

that germs are tiny. I know I’m

now. I get a looooot of strange

scared of germs but for some

looks around these parts. I’m not

reason I decided to take a closer

sure why though, I’m completely

look. The giant germ was talking

normal except that I have a soup

to someone, almost like threat-

bowl for a head. But I was born

ening them…

“I-I’m not scared of you. They’ll

save us, we are NOT CRAZY or

save us.”

something like that. I am very scared. I have come up with

“Who?” said the germ very

many theories and such but

scarily.

none of them actually make sense to me. I have not been sleeping for that long so I am

“S-soup-er Hero.”

going to take a nap. See you tomorrow.

This almost sounds like a fanfic about me. How can I—there's no

March 11, 2032

way I could save anyone from a germ. I’m scared of them and the

I just came up with a theory and

most heroic thing I’ve ever done

it’s really stupid but I think its

was save a cat from a tree. There

true. What if they think I will save

is NO WAY I could do it. Then I

the city because I have a soup

realized—why me?

head and, like, soup helps with germs and all? It makes sense,

March 10, 2032

but at the same time it’s really really stupid. Well now I have

I think I’m becoming a conspiracy

sooo much stress because this

theorist. I spent the last few days

city is counting on me! What will I

trying to make this whole thing

do? You know what? I'm going to

out. I found a news article saying

do an epik training montage and

Soup-er Hero is totally going to

become super cool and stuff so

Top 4 Things You Can Do to Save

see you in a month.

Us From This Pandemic

March 13, 2032

THAT MEANS YOU, SOUP-ER

I know I said, “See you in a

HERO!

month,” but it’s been two days

1. Restock the soap supply

and I’ve already eaten five bags

2. Restock the toilet paper supply

of chips and done one push-up. I can’t do 100 push-ups per day. I

3. Restock the soup supply

have to do this strategically even though I am the dumbest person I know.

4. Restock everything that needs restocking

March 14, 2032

The title was quite harsh—like, I’m trying my best here. It's not

I was thinking, what can kill a

my fault.

germ? Soap water? Where do I buy a water gun? Then I realized I

March 15, 2032

have the power of the internet. I live in a very small apartment

You know what? I’m going to

with really bad internet so it was

walk up to Mr. Germ and ask him

quite slow. Then I found a list:

to stop being a bully. That’s what school taught me anyway—

surely what they teach in school

siht yaw eht yb gnihtemos ro taht

will work in the real world...right?

werd redarg ht5 a ekil s'ti dab oos ward uoy yaw eht ekil yaw

March 16, 2032

eht yb belp a hcus era uoy hahah

Hello Soup-er Hero I stole your

yraid ruoy elots I oreH re-puoS

diary haha you are such a pleb

olleH

by the way like the way you draw

March 17, 2032

so bad it’s like a 5th grader drew that or something by the way this

I know he said he wasn’t a psy-

is written in permanent marker

chopath, but like when someone

so like good luck erasing this

writes with a permanent marker,

hahaha like I am of course going

it leaks through the page, and

to give this back. I’m evil, not a

now I have to skip a page. I just

psychopath or smth. Hahahahah

hate that guy. I asked him to stop

bye lol.

but he was just like “no u stoopid bowl of soup” and took my diary,

March 17, 2032

wrote a paragraph in it and sent it

lol eyb ahah htms ro htapohcysp

back in the mail. He is a mad lad,

a ton ,live m’I .kcab siht evig ot

like who does that?

gniog esruoc fo ma I ekil ahahah siht gnisare kcul doog ekil os rekram tnenamrep ni nettirw s

March 18, 2032

the soup in my head spills so

I know what to do. I'll squish him

basically I’m not a Soup-er Hero

like that one episode of

I’m a Bowl Hero who decided to

Spongebob. Hello, this is future

put soup in my head because I

me, but not too far in the future,

like puns.

just like a couple hours later. I realized that germs multiply,

March 20, 2032

don’t they? I don’t think I can

Yesterday I booked a train to

actually kill him like that, can I?

Taerg and I’m heading over there right now. I will update you in a

March 19, 2032

couple hours. Hi I'm back I am on

Today I had the most wonderful

the train, chillin’. I’m kind of bored

of ideas. I had this friend back in

but I’m still on the train. NMOp

Taerg who was a wonderful

ƎpISԀ∩ W,I MON

weaponsmith. I could go and ask for a gun that shoots soap and

March 21, 2032

water. Maybe I’ll call it the

Now I’m at Joel's Weaponry and

Bubble Bath Blaster or

Armoury and there is quite a long

something. I could also make it

line. Update you in a while. Right

shoot soup but I don’t want to

now I'm describing what the gun

make a fresh batch of soup for

thing looks like.

my bowl. I do that every day because whenever I lie down all

March 23, 2032 Yesterday I went and tried to kill a germ guy. I shot him a couple of times, but he noticed me so I ran away, but I think I scared him Woooo so epik.

so what If I do it again? What if instead of killing him I scare him

March 22, 2032

away to Taerg because in Taeng

This time I’m making a plan to kill

there are great guys who could

him for good. I’m going to sneak

take care of a germ in seconds.

up on him with my newly made gun and peww pewww with the

March 24, 2032

soap and when he’s weak I’m

Today I did it again. I annoyed

gonna pow pow him with the

him some more, that silly germ

soup and be very cool.

thinking he can traumatize this town. I just realized something—

I’ll do it right now.

why is he doing this though? Maybe he’s just misunderstood and I’m the villain *epik drum roll

I’m not a chicken.

plays* haha that would be funny. Maybe I am…

BUT NOT TODAY ☺

March 25, 2032

March 27, 2032

Haha I did it again too bad that

Today when I shot germ dude he

germ didn’t leave already see

got up and started walking

you tomorrow because nothing

towards my direction and started

else is probably going to happen

cussing at me like, “Why do you

today.

do that huh you are such a meanie I hate you” (but much

March 26, 2032

meaner).

Same thing as yesterday :DD update you if something

And then I’m like, “Do you hate

happened.

me enough that you would leave?”

SOMETHING HAPPENED! Wow, I ran out of soap for the soap part

And he says, slightly annoyed,

of the gun, so I flew to the store

“Yes, I guess, but not before I

and some kid asked for my

destr—”

autograph. I’m famous! “I know a great place you could terrorize people. There is this place called Taerg. After I’m done with you I’m planning on going back home,” I say quickly.

“Wow thanks, I was planning on

March 28, 2032

going there in the first place. This

Yesterday I became friends with

town sucks. I’ve been here my

the germ boi. Now we’re on a

whole life. I'm not sure why but

train together. I said I’ll draw us

people hate me and think I’m

together on a train. I overheard

gonna kill them or something. So

two people talking about us.

like that might as well right? I’m just here to make some money.”

“Is that Soup-er Hero?”

“Oh,” I say, kind of embarrassed.

“Yea and germ guy!”

“DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH

“Are they fighting?”

PETROL COSTS THESE DAYS?! Like 10 years ago in 2022 it was

“No they are playing with each

$2 only nowadays it’s like $8. I’ll

other or something”

buy you a ticket. I’m practically rich. I’ve got 100 bucks to my

Then they started saying, “SHIP

name and only spent 20% of it.”

SHIP SHIP.” They looked 12 or something.

“Woah thanks.”

I think we’re friends now.

think this story has come to an end with a happy ending for both sides. I think I’ll send this through a time travel machine. I heard they sell those at BMart. Everyone has one except me. If Not my best work. I really did not try.

you’re seeing this, that means my time travel works. I think I’ll write a little note at the front of this

March 29, 2032

book. Goodbye, Diary. See you later.

I’m finally back home again. I took germ boi on a tour of the whole town and it was fabulous. I

I like watching YouTube. If I could time travel, I’d travel nowhere. I like the time period that I am now in...mostly. Something about myself I wish other people knew is how to pronounce my name.

THE AMPED BROTHERS

Michael, for example, had been

nce upon a time, there lived

born containing the powers from

two twin brothers named Saka

a lineage of retired family super-

and Michael in the big city of

heroes who’d completely lived

Toronto. For some, the brothers

normal lives during the day and

looked like regular kids; they’d

fought crime by night.

go to school, hang with friends, and even help out building electric experiments with their

One day their dad was working at

dad.

his regular non-superhero job as an electrician. While the brothers helped their dad, a malfunction

However, Saka and Michael were

caused a big electric shock!

far from regular…and only a lucky

Saka, being the one holding on

few had been able to see what

to the cord, shook and twisted as

these brothers were actually

electricity ran through him;

capable of. They were secret

meanwhile, his brother Michael

superheroes that loved using

and father watched worriedly.

their powers to help people.

Saka let go of the cord, causing

One time the brothers were

him to freeze in shock, as his

called to put out a forest fire that

body emerged above the ground

was happening at one of the

charging him with his very own

main parks in the city.

powers.

Realizing what happened, his

Saka and Michael arrived at the

dad and brother stared at him

scene. There was police tape

with their mouths wide open as

everywhere, and people could

Saka began to descend slowly

be seen surrounding the bank.

back onto the ground. Saka

Without hesitation, they kicked

reached out his hand, delivering

the door open of the bank

electric shocks that immediately

startling the robbers as they

pushed Michael and their dad to

were holding the people inside

the ground.

hostage. Saka, super excited to try out his powers, reached his

That same afternoon, the

hands in the sky then pointed

emergency phone line rang. This

them towards one of the bankers

phone hadn’t rung since the last

causing a massive lightning bolt

crime, when Michael and Saka’s

that pushed them against the

parents retired from being

wall and slipped down to the

heroes years ago.

floor.

There was a robbery at the BE

Meanwhile Michael began to

Main Central Bank—the robbers

walk around the bank. He found

had threatened to bomb the

a secret emergency exit, imme-

entire building with everyone

diately hearing the loud BANG!

inside! It was up to Saka and

from his brother’s electrical

Michael to head over there.

storm, and proceeded to guide

the hostages out of the building

and opened his mouth where a

safely.

waterfall of ice made its way under the robber’s feet. They

Quickly they noticed the other

both crashed their backs onto

robber taking advantage of the

the ice, freezing them from

loud boom in the building and

fleeing.

began making their escape towards the door. Saka quickly

At the end of the day the

grabbed the person whom they

brothers were thanked by the

electrocuted, carrying them out

entire city for taking down the

of the building towards an

robbers at the BE Main Central

ambulance. Michael caught a

Bank with a giant party.

glimpse of the other robber making their way towards the exit

THE BEAUTY OF SCARBOROUGH!

a Happy Meal with four-piece

i! Welcome to Scarborough!

chicken nuggets, apple slices,

Scarborough is an amazing city

and chocolate milk. She almost

in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It

ordered it, but it didn’t work.

may have some little problems... like missing children. And dogs and cats going missing too. But I

I went to kindergarten at

am gonna tell you about the

Galloway Road Public School. I

beauty of it!

still go there. At lunch one time a teacher told me to clean up, and I said “I don’t care!”

Scarborough has a neighbourhood called Galloway. The neighbourhood roads are

And then there was the juicebox

Overture, Celeste, Morningside,

incident…I had a juicebox for

Galloway, Pilot, Lawrence, Orton

snack, and it wouldn’t open. I

Park, and Kingston! Kingston

squeezed it so hard it exploded

Road is a very busy road. It has

all over a student who was next

McDonald’s, Krispy Kreme, Tim

to me.

Hortons, and a plaza. Out of those, McDonald’s is the best. I

One last story from kindergarten:

like the McFlurries, nuggets, and

I was in senior kindergarten and

fries. One time, my two-year-old

my sister was in junior kinder-

sister, Sacred, asked to use my

garten and there was an

mom’s phone. She tried to order

assembly. The caretaker award

was “kindness and caring.” I

uncle, in case any coyotes or

thought I was gonna win it, but

dangerous animals show up.

my sister won it instead! I started crying, but the teachers came

Lawrence is a part of the neigh-

over and said I would win an

bourhood that has a daycare

award next time. And I did. I won

called Centre of Early Learning.

an award for “honesty” the next

Orton Park is a road that has an

March. Even though I won the

Express gas station and apart-

honesty award, I still lie.

ments. Malvern is a neighbourhood that is close to STC

Morningside is like the end of the

(Scarborough Town Center).

neighbourhood, and if you go

Malvern has a playground and

down you end up in Malvern.

many houses and a mall. Malvern

Morningside also has a forest. I

also has a library with a summer

used to take walks there, but

camp in it. I went to the summer

after the coyotes came, I

camp. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like

stopped walking there. The funny

playing dodgeball there. There

thing is, my teacher said, “We’re

was a girl I hit with the ball. I told

going to take a forest walk there.”

her she was out, but she didn’t

My mom said the forest is

even leave the court.

dangerous, and that if we take a walk there, we’re going to need

Last but not least is STC: it’s a

my dad, my big cousins, and my

mall and it has a movie theatre in

it. I saw It and It 2 there. I liked It 2

I like the mall. There are lots of

better. I liked it because

foods, clothes, and accessories.

Pennywise is just being funny. I

The mall is the end of Scarbor-

don’t like the back-in-the-day It

ough. Beyond that is the

from 1999—Pennywise looked

highway.

like a regular clown, for kids. That’s all of the beauty. I hope Right beside STC is the YMCA, a

you liked this city!

place where you can learn how to swim and play basketball and soccer.

Chakai’s name starts with C for a reason! She is also known as curious Chakai. Chakai likes to know who, what, where, when and most importantly why! Chakai loves to ask specific questions and is always on a thirst for knowledge. Chakai is interested in art and is soon starting her own babysitting and reading programs for young kids in the community.

ROOMMATES

“Ew, John, that’s gross!”

ohn felt tired, so he stayed in bed. Mark was forcing him to wake up, and after so many tries

John just laughed and went to

he woke up and ate breakfast. He

play Roblox.

went outside for a walk, but Mark did not join him for his walk.

John made a new friend on

Instead Mark played Roblox until

Roblox so they chatted for a

he came back.

while until they called each other, and his new friend came to

“Mark, I got snacks on the way

their house and Mark asked,

back from my walk,” said John.

“Who’s this, John?”

They already finished the whole bag of Doritos. They were still

John replied by saying, “This is

hungry so they ate popcorn and

my friend I met on Roblox. His

watched a movie and John fell

name is Jack.”

asleep halfway into the movie. Mark felt like John was not his He woke up, and it was a new

friend anymore, so he went to his

day. He saw Mark putting on his

room to play Roblox by himself.

shoes and leaving the house. John pretended he did not see

The next day he went down

that and got ready. After Mark

stairs and did not see John, so he

came, John took a nice big fart.

just ate breakfast and went for a

I want to give credit to my friend Mark. He lives in my building and we are friends. I got the story idea from him. I was born in Canada and my favourite thing to do is to play video games and go out with my friend and his parents with my sister, Ese. I hope when I get older I will have a bright future!

SLIVERS TONE WOODS

“

Beep beep beep! Still feeling

ine, I don’t care!” yelled Bailey

tired, Bailey got up and hit the

and slammed the door, tears

alarm clock. The clock read 11:01.

flooding their eyes. They jumped

They picked up an old tote bag

into their bed yelling into her

and ran around the room while

pillow, still crying. After five

getting their clothes, hat, gloves,

minutes, they set an alarm for 11

some money, bandages, and

p.m. and fell asleep.

more.

After 15 whole minutes, Bailey

outside, they decided to

finally opened the bedroom

continue the journey. When they

window and climbed out. With

finally got to the Sliverstone

their room on the second floor, it

Woods, they took a big sigh, got

ended up being quite a fall.

off their bike, dropped their bag,

Bailey put a bandaid on their

and fell to the wet ground and

knee, got on their bike, and

lay there. The moment Bailey hit

started riding towards Sliver-

the ground they quickly fell

stone Woods.

asleep.

At the age of 14, Bailey was at the

“Woahhhh,” a tiny voice gasped.

point where they just wanted

“It’s a human!”

some peace and freedom in their life. They were tired of studying

Bailey had been jolted awake by

and doing what their parents

a…come to think of it, they didn’t

wanted them to do. This would

know what it was.

be the night they decided to live. “Greetings human,” said the After three whole hours of

unnamed creature. It seemed

cycling (until 2:18 a.m.) and

about two or three feet tall

stopping to eat, it began pouring.

(which was probably about how

Bailey regretted leaving their

tall a coffee table was), had pale

house. Since they were already

yellow skin, very, very pointy

ears, a round face, short legs,

than its body. “That was quite

and a torso. It even had

rude of you!” it responded. “I

mushrooms growing from its

asked you a question and you

ears. Bailey had to pinch them-

question who I am?

selves many, many times to

Unbelievable!”

believe what they were seeing. “I’m so, so sorry, and I’m okay,” “Are you okay?” the creature

Bailey answered.

asked with a raised eyebrow. They lifted up Bailey’s chin and

“Hm!”

squeezed their cheeks. “I have a healing potion brewing if you

“Where am I?” Bailey asked. They

need some!” The creature smiled

got up from the grass and hung

at Bailey.

their tote bag on their shoulder.

Bailey was at a loss for words.

“Just follow me,” the creature told

What Bailey wanted to say was,

Bailey.

“No thanks,” but instead they said, “What are you?”

After 30 minutes of walking up tall, rocking mountains, in a

The creature now looked angry

sweat, Bailey couldn’t help but

and picked up a stick way bigger

say, “Woah! This is beautiful!”

Bailey and the creature were now

While on the way to the cottage,

in a magical sea with a lot of

Bailey and the creature started

weeping willows. A bright ray of

talking. “Sorry but I never got

light shone down on Bailey. In

your name,” Bailey said to the

this mysterious land the water

creature.

was also very clear and full of different pretty items like leaves,

“The name’s Dot. And no worries

flowers, mushrooms, and rare

dear, I am the queen of—wait, is

fishes never seen before by any

it king or—NO! Queen of the

human eye.

mountain! I have been living here since the second I was born...”

After learning about a cottage far

The creature stopped mid-sen-

away, Bailey thought about

tence and looked down at its

visiting it. As it turned out there

knees, sadly.

was a small wooden boat right in front of her and the creature.

“What's wrong?” asked Bailey,

Bailey wiped the sweat off her

raising one eyebrow and leaning

face and said aloud, “I guess

closer to Dot.

we’re going to that cottage?” “I’m so, so, so, so sorry!” they “Correct!” the small creature

wailed. “I was just rambling all

replied as they both got into the

about…you know what? Aurora

boat.

was right! I’m always talking

about myself! I’m such a n—

but even so Bailey managed to

what's that word again? Oh yes!

see Aurora curled up in a ball,

I’m such a narcissist, or whatever

crying.

that is.” Bailey approached Aurora and Since Bailey was a little too

tapped her on the shoulder. “Are

confused, they just patted Dot’s

you okay, dear?”

head. Dot fell into Bailey’s arms, still crying.

Aurora sniffed. “I saw a monster.”

After a few more days, Bailey

Bailey hugged Aurora and held

met Aurora and decided to call

her close to her chest. “Shhh, it’s

Aegus and Dawnson to stay

okay. I’m here,” they whispered.

together with the two of them at the cottage.

“You know what, I’ll let you sleep with me tonight, okay?” Bailey

In the middle of the night, Bailey

carried her inside and—boom!

heard something. “Wahhhhhhhh,”

The same huge pointy staff hit

screamed a voice. Terrified,

the wall. Bailey jumped again.

Bailey jumped out of her bed, put on some shoes, and went

“It-it wasn’t a dream…”

outside to see what was happening. It was pitch black,

To be continued…

I really like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson books because I find fantasy and magic interesting. If I could time travel I would go to 1981 to see my mom being born and raised. Something I’m proud of is when I help my mom with chores and cleaning.

THE HIKE TO THE VALLEY OF CHINA

Eva said, “Okay, let’s do it. This

he village of Jiangxi, China,

will be fun.”

was a beautiful village that had lots of cherry blossoms, lilacs, roses, pandas, monkeys,

Early in the morning when the

pangolins, and tigers. It was a

sun rose, they packed their bags

peaceful village with few people.

and went on a hike in the valleys.

In that village there were two girls named Carmen and Eva.

Once they were on the hike,

They were two best friends who

Carmen said, “Let’s gather some

loved to explore nature.

things from nature and put them in our mint pink nature scrapbook.”

One day, Carmen told Eva, “Let’s go on a hike in the valleys of Jiangxi.”

Then Eva said, “Okay! That’s a fun

hike, they kept walking until they

idea.”

spotted something beautiful they had never seen.

They kept walking and walking until they spotted a leaf, rock,

“Eva, look, it’s a red panda!” said

rose, lilac, and acorn.

Carmen.

“Wow! We have a lot of things

“I know, it is so cute!” said Eva.

from nature,” said Eva. The red panda looked like a “I know, that is a lot!” said

reddish animal that had a tail and

Carmen.

two ears.

“You know, Carmen, I am very

“Let’s take a picture so that we

tired and hungry, so let’s have a

can put this in our scrapbook,”

break.”

said Carmen.

“Okay!”

“Sure,” said Eva.

So the two of them had a break

Once they took the picture of the

and ate their delicious chicken

red panda, both of them raced

dumplings that Carmen’s mom

down the valley to work on their

made. Once they finished their

scrapbook. Once they were

done, they wanted to show the

Then they both lived happily ever

scrapbook to their friends.

after.

“I hope our friends like it,’’ said Carmen.

“I hope they will too.”

If I could time travel I would go to a caveman’s house because I would like to see their handwriting, culture, and their way of hunting food in daily life. I want people to know that I am very good at drawing, I like technology like coding, and I am a good bike rider.

THE SCHOOL TWINS

At lunchtime, Annabella wanted

nce upon a time, it was an

to sit at Isabella’s table, but Mr.

early and beautiful morning and

Ronald said, “You have to sit at

there were two girls named

your table, Annabella.” Then

Isabella and Annabella.

Annabella went to her table. After lunch Isabella and

They both woke up at 7:00 in the

Annabella ran to each other and

morning. It was the first day of

hugged each other. Then they

grade 4. When they went to

told each other that they made

school, they had to find their

so many friends.

teachers. Isabella and Annabella noticed they were not in the

At last—recess! Isabella didn’t

same class. Before class started,

finish her math worksheet and

Isabella and Annabella hugged

had to stay in to finish it. At

each other and went to class.

homeroom time, Isabella’s class got candy from Mr. Ronald.

Isabella and Annabella saw

Annabella’s class got little

different kids, and Isabella saw

chocolate bars.

her teacher. Isabella’s teacher’s name was Mr. Ronald.

Then, when they walked from

Annabella’s teacher’s name was

school, Isabella said to

Ms. Khan.

Annabella, “Did you have a math test? Because I did. It was all about division and multiplication,

and I got a 10 out of 25. I was so

they could tell her about their

embarrassed. My friend got a 25

grades. Their mom said, “In the

out of 25.”

morning.” Then Isabella and Annabella went back to bed.

Annabella said, “I got a spelling test. It was easy but a little hard,

The next morning, Isabella and

and I got a B-. I was so upset and

Annabella went downstairs. They

angry. It was so unfair that my

saw that their dad was going to

friend from last year got an A+.”

drop them off because he had to go to work.

When they got home, Isabella and Annabella told their mom

When Isabella and Annabella got

that they were not in the same

to school, someone new was in

class. Their mom was shocked.

Isabella’s class. His name was

Before the twins went to sleep,

Max. He was a very good artist.

Isabella told Annabella, “Do you

When it was art time in class,

want to tell Mom that we got bad

Isabella asked Max if he could

grades?”

teach Isabella how to draw well.

Annabella said, “I guess.”

When it was recess time, Annabella asked Isabella, “Who

When they went to their mom’s

was that boy in your class? He

room, they asked their mom if

seems cool. What’s his name?”

Isabella said, “His name is Max

Annabella and Isabella were

Allen. He is a very good artist.”

shocked because Max’s brother’s name was Nick Allen. Nick had a

Annabella was pleased to meet

very strict teacher. His teacher’s

him.

name was Mrs. Granger. Max went to Isabella and Annabella

Isabella said, “Maybe when we

and said that Nick got a test on

see each other at lunch time,

the second day of school!

then can we talk?” Annabella and Isabella were shocked and were about to fall.

Annabella agreed.

Isabella felt like Max was kidding, but Annabella thought that he

In French class, Annabella was

was true or false? Then they both

still thinking about Max. She was

walked home when it was time

imagining that Max was in her

to go.

class.

When they got home, Annabella

When Isabella came to

and Isabella had to feed their

Annabella’s table, Isabella said,

dog Ellie. At dinner time,

“Should we talk about Max Allen?

Annabella and Isabella were not

Because Max told me that he has

in a good mood for dinner.

a twin brother.”

Instead, they both went upstairs and went to bed.

When it was 6:00 in the morning

At lunch time, Annabella came to

Isabella was awake, but

Isabella’s table.

Annabella was still sleeping in bed. When it was 7:00, Isabella

Annabella said, “Nick Allen is in

went to school. But Annabella

my class.”

was late at 8:30. When Annabella got to class, she was in trouble.

Isabella fell down and fainted.

She missed her favourite subject,

Isabella said, “You gotta be

science! Science was her

kidding me! How is that

favourite subject of all the other

possible?”

subjects. At homeroom time, Isabella said, When it was media time. She had

“When we get home, tell Mom.”

a weird feeling about Nick Allen. Then she got a shock because

When their mom heard about it,

Nick Allen was in her class. Nick

she was also shocked. Then

Allen was a good media student.

Isabella and Annabella also got

Mrs. Granger said to the

shocked.

students, “Please take out your media books.”

On the last day of school, Nick Allen and Max Allen were both

Annabella did not want to be

blank. Because Isabella and

next to Nick. She thought that Nick would want her school stuff.

Annabella were sick, they

“Annabella, Max and Nick are

couldn’t come to school.

here to see us!”

So Max decided that they would

Achoo!

go and surprise the twins. When Max and Nick got to the twins’

At 7:00, Max and Nick had to go

house, Max knocked on the door.

home. Isabella was not in a good mood for dinner. Instead, she

Isabella was at the door when

decided to sleep, so she put her

she saw Max and Nick. She was

head on the table and slept for

so surprised!

two hours!

Then she said, “Welcome to our

The next day, Isabella woke up

house.”

from bed in the early morning at 6:10. When she ran downstairs, she ate breakfast and said,

Achoo!

“Mom, I am going to be late for school!”

“Mom, can you make me some warm soup please?”

Her mom said, “Yesterday was the last day of school.”

Achoo! Cough! Cough! Cough!

It was summer!

THE ADVENTURES TO EARTH

On her home planet, Zosha

nce upon a time, there was a

could transform into any kind of

mythical creature named Zosha

mythical being that she wanted

who was part human and part ice

to. In her ice dragon form, she

dragon. She lived on a planet

would appear with light blue skin

known as Sapphire, because you

and smooth scales. She also

could buy sapphires of all shapes

could shoot fire and ice at the

and sizes there all year round,

same time, but for only seven

and in the spring season,

moments in her whole life.

sapphires would rain from the sky.

With Zosha’s mom being an ice dragon, and her father a fire dragon, Zosha was clearly from two different worlds. She also had two younger siblings, a brother and a sister.

One secret power that Zosha’s whole family possessed was the ability to turn invisible. But while other members of her family had to say “Vikings” in order to transform, Zosha didn't. Not only

did she have the power to turn

herself over the years because

invisible whenever she wanted to

she didn’t want to put her dragon

without saying a word, but she

friends in danger. Since Lindsay

could also turn into any mythical

was a different type of dragon,

being at any time.

she was unable to fly and shoot fire out of her mouth, like Zosha could.

At the start of every new year, another magical thing would often take place. Zosha would

On Earth, Zosha soon discovered

become a human and remain

that none of the dragons were

that way for the entire month.

safe.

There was only one exception. During her visits to Earth, she

A tech billionaire named Joshua

could stay human for up to half

had become very interested in

of the year.

the dragons and mythical beings on land, especially when he

Zosha’s closest friend on Earth

found out he could make money

was Lindsay. While Lindsay was

off of them. In the past he had

a human with the power of super

even tried to harm Zosha. He

strength, she didn’t yet know

invented laser zappers and other

about it. One thing Lindsay did

destructive technology that he

know was that dragons were real.

could use against all of the

She had kept the secret to

dragons of Earth.

Since Lindsay worked at a place

cops. Joshua had not known that

next door to Joshua’s tech lab,

Lindsay was actually a dragon

she decided to keep a close eye

with superpowers and was upset

on Joshua. Part of the reason

by the news. He couldn’t believe

why Lindsay was able to look so

it because he had been friends

much like a human in the first

with Lindsay before. Sadly their

place was because her scientist

friendship had ended though

dad—who secretly knew that

because Joshua had been mean

Lindsay was a dragon—had

to Lindsay more than once.

helped develop a potion for her. When the cops arrived on the Then one day Joshua walked

scene, Lindsay was back in her

outside the building and caught

human form, and Zosha was

both Zosha and Lindsay off

nowhere to be seen. Joshua tried

guard, in their dragon forms.

to explain to them that Lindsay

Angered by what he saw, he

tried to hurt him, but they

moved towards them, desiring to

wouldn’t believe him. In fact,

harm them.

since he didn’t seem to be making much sense, they ended up arresting him!

Quickly, Zosha turned invisible while Lindsay breathed fire on Joshua. With Joshua no longer a

After Joshua was arrested,

threat, Lindsay then called the

Lindsay and Zosha reunited at

Sapphire Planet where they

didn’t mind, though, and were

gathered with their families for

just excited to participate. Even

the Celebration of Dragons

better was the peace that Zosha

festival. The ceremony had been

and Lindsay had knowing that

originally created to honour a

Joshua was somewhere where

day when dragons would no

he could not hurt another dragon

longer be harmed by humans.

ever again.

Because Zosha and Lindsay had

It was a moment Zosha and

to stop Joshua from causing any

Lindsay would never forget.

more trouble, they ended up missing part of the festival. They

My favourite book is Dork Diaries. My favourite movie is Bella and the Bulldogs. My favourite game is Uno. Something I wish other people knew about me is that I love to sing. I would like to thank my friend Ava.

NO MORE BULLYING

The next day Tristan woke up,

ne day, a boy named Tristan

got dressed, and went to school.

was trying to walk home from

As Tristan was walking to class

school. Then Zach, Raymond,

the bullies punched him in the

and Jake—the school bullies—

eye and pushed him into a locker

went and shoved Tristan to the

and started beating him up.

ground. As he got up, they

Although Tristan managed to get

pushed him again. Tristan got up

away, he had many bruises and a

once again, and before they

black eye.

could do anything he sprinted as fast as he could home.

When Tristan walked into class no one said a word to him and

Once he got there he opened

just acted like they did not notice

the door and ran straight to his

him. Teachers never stopped the

room. Before his mother could

bullies from bullying kids

say anything, he was gone.

because they were scared of

Tristan had bruises he got from

them too.

the bullies that he was hiding from his mom because he did not want her to worry. His mom

As class ended, Tristan was

knew something was wrong

walking home, and he was

because of Tristan’s unusual

wondering how he could hide

behaviour.

the bruises from his mom. As he got to his house, he sprinted to

his room trying to hide the

teach you how to defend

bruises. Just as he was about to

yourself.”

get upstairs his mom stopped him. As she started talking Tristan

Weeks went by as Tristan trained

tried to not make eye contact,

with D’angelo, getting ready for

but soon enough his mom

the bullies, fantasizing about the

noticed his black eye.

fight with them, and finally after all of the training Tristan went

Tristan had to explain everything

through, he was ready.

that happened to him at school to his mom. As his mom was

The next day the bullies walked

listening to the story, she felt

up to Tristan, but they quickly

sorry for him and came up with a

realized something was different

solution to solve his problem.

about him. As one of them was about to punch him he turned

The next day as Tristan got

around and caught the punch.

home, he was greeted by a man

Another guy tried to kick him, so

he had never seen before.

Tristan caught his leg and yanked it until the guy broke free. Then

His mom came behind him and

the bullies all went at him at

said, “This man’s name is

once and the battle was on.

D’angelo and he is going to

Tristan did everything his coach taught and soon enough the

fight was over. Realizing they

themselves. He also stopped

could not beat him, the bullies

bullies from hurting anyone.

ran away. After that everyone respected After that day the bullies

Tristan and no one was bullied

respected Tristan and never

ever again at that school

bullied him again. Also, Tristan

because no one wanted to deal

and D’angelo became lifelong

with Tristan or D’angelo.

friends, and Tristan helped other kids being bullied defend

I’d like to thank my mom, who helped me along the way.

THE MYS TICAL HERO

rare ones are fire, water, ice, air,

n the village, a baby named

and earth.

Zorichi is born. Some say he is the return of an old hero, the rebirth of an old Zorichi 63 years

Ten years later, Zorichi and Zoro

later. The first person Zorichi

find their powers by training

sees is his mother. Right beside

randomly. Zoro sometimes trains

them in the same hospital is a

during the thunder, because he

baby named Zoro.

wants to unlock thunder. Zorichi asks some people to use thunder and trains with it, but

The place Zorichi and his mother

other days he trains with fire

live in is Thunder Village, which

(sometimes sets things on fire)

has a huge building with a

and controls it. Some days he

symbol looking like a thunder-

uses air to fly all the way to

bolt. Everyone in Thunder Village

beaches and control water. Some

is kind and sometimes aggres-

days Zorichi goes to caves and

sive. They have powers, which

trains with ice.

they sometimes fight with as a joke or serious fighting. Thunder Village is mainly known for

The next day, Zorichi and Zoro

thunder, but when others train

take the exam to become a

differently they unlock different

Genin (the lowest ninja rank),

powers. Such as it is, the powers

then they see many people from

are normally thunder, but the

all over the nation such as Fire

Village, Water Village, Ice Village,

Zoro’s problem is: When there are

Air and Thunder Village. They all

ice and thunder ninjas against fire

have ready faces. Suddenly, the

and water, what are great combi-

main sensei arrives out of

nations to knock down the ice and

nowhere and introduces himself

thunder ninjas? Zoro writes down:

as Asuma. Asuma says the ones

“The fire ninja makes a fire

who pass the written exam will

hurricane, then the water ninja

become a Genin, but the ones

shoots water bullets through the

who pass both exams become

fire hurricane, which gives cover

Jonin. Asuma says there’s going

for the water bullets. When the

to be a written test, with different

thunder ninja and the ice ninja

problems using different ninja

shoot thunder and ice balls at

powers. Zorichi’s problem is:

the bullets, the fire coating will

Using ice and air, what moves can

fall off, but there’s still the water

the ninjas use to knock down the

coating, which they don’t realize,

water and thunder ninjas? Zorichi

which hits them.”

writes down: “When they use their water, the ice ninja could

Ten minutes later, Asuma brings

freeze the water into ice, then the

back-up help so he can collect

air ninja could blow the ice

all 150 papers from the exam.

against the thunder ninja, and

Then they all start marking the

the thunder ninja will throw

papers. Each student ninja puts

thunder balls at the ice ninja,

their seat number instead of their

which will create an ice bomb.”

name, so it’s easier to give back.

Then the back-up ninjas give

called Team 7. Team 7 runs diag-

back the exams to the student

onally so they can find another

ninjas. Zorichi and Zoro pass, but

team near their gate, then Team

75 of the 150 student ninjas fail.

7 finds Team 6’s scroll so they

The remaining 75 student ninjas

use Zorichi’s water bullets to turn

are now Genins. They create

on the trap from Team 6. Zorichi

groups based on their skills. Zoro

noticed there were strings

and Zorichi are together. Balo

around the scroll so that is why

appears in their group because

he shot water bullets.

Balo is a skilled Genin as well as Zoro and Zorichi. They have to

As soon as Zorichi warns the

take scrolls from their opponent

opposing team, Zorichi and Zoro

groups back to the centre

use thunder traps and Balo

building within 48 hours.

shoots fire bullets through the thunder trap holes so he can

Each team is given one scroll, so

attack the opposing team, while

all 25 teams head to separate

Zorichi and Zoro defend their

gates. The task is for the teams

team. Team 7 gets Team 6’s

to take the other team’s scrolls, if

scroll. Afterwards, Zorichi uses an

a team gets a total of two scrolls

earth hammer so Team 7 can dig

they can head to the centre

a hole leading the way to the

building of the map. “There has

centre building of the map. In the

to be a lot of action!” Asuma

centre building of the map,

announces. Zorichi’s team is

Asuma announces, “The 48

hours have ended, and there are

Benzama, and Balo gets paired

only 10 teams left.” Some were

up with a Genin named Giser. At

eliminated because they lost

last, only five Genins win their

their scroll or they just didn’t

fight: their names are Zorichi,

survive.

Zoro, Balo, Buru, and Kayai. They are all awarded the rank as

Asuma pairs up the Genins with

Jonins. This is only the beginning

other Genins to fight each other.

of the Mystical Hero Zorichi!

Zorichi gets paired up with a Genin named Kaiyaki, Zoro gets paired up with a Genin named

If I could time travel I would go to the times of dinosaurs so I would know a lot better about dinosaurs than now. I love soccer so much. I earned two MVP trophies and one MIP Trophy in soccer. My school flag football team that I was in won the Eastern Finalist Banner. In 2019, my soccer team won the Championship.

THE CRYS TALS

For dinner, they decided to make

nce upon a time a girl named

a pizza. When they started eating

May and her dog named Lupé

their pizza, they started to hear

were taking a walk into the forest.

banging at the front door. May

May loved taking walks down the

opened the door and found a

forest because Lupé always

bag at the doorstep. “Who would

found crystals for her. She

leave me a silly little bag?” May

researched about them, and one

said. Then, she saw Gabby

time she found a tiger’s eye. She

jumping out of one of the

yelled, “It's my fave crystal!” (It is

house’s windows, stealing their

a type of crystal that protects

pizza! They had no other food, so

people from negativity.)

May and Lupé had to eat Oreos for dinner because May forgot to

As May and Lupé were walking

go to Costco.

back home through the forest, they came across a fox named

May decided to look in the bag

Gabby. She called for her fox

she received and found two

friends to surround May and

more crystals: an amethyst,

Lupé. When Lupé and May were

which is very powerful, and

surrounded, they found another

aventurine, a positive stone of

crystal: a rose quartz. May put it

positivity that diffuses negative

in her pocket and ran with her

emotions. It was a squirrel who

two crystals into her house, with

left the crystals. They didn’t mind

Lupé following behind her.

because they had so many

The next day, they woke up to

crystals.

eat breakfast, which was Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky

After they finished their Oreos,

Charms, and Froot Loops! After

May and Lupé went on another

breakfast, Gabby the fox came to

walk. This time, not only were

the door and knocked on it five

they surrounded by Gabby and

times, super fast, and said, “Let

her foxes but by a pack of

me in.”

wolves, too. May took out her tiger’s eye and aventurine

May said, “Why would I let you

crystals to defeat the foxes. The

in?”

force from the crystals knocked the foxes down, but it didn't

Gabby said, “I’m here to

affect the wolves. But May

apologize. I’m sorry for bullying

always had a slingshot in her

you and your dog, Lupé.”

purse, slung over her back. She took a bunch of rocks from the

May felt surprised that Gabby

ground and shot them at the

apologized. “I accept your

wolves, which hurt them and

apology,” she said.

scared them off. They went back to their cabin after that. It was

Gabby had apologized because

nighttime now. They went to bed

she had been bullied by the

and fell asleep.

wolves. The wolves promised to

give Gabby and her friend a giant

May and Gabby and Lupé had a

box of peanuts in exchange for

sleepover that night. They

some deer meat. But the wolves

watched Friday on Netflix. It was

didn’t deliver the peanuts. Gabby

a good movie.

hadn’t liked being bullied, and that made her decide to apologize for bullying May.

Kennedy-Reign is a middle child and an elder sibling to 3 young sisters. Kennedy is very detailed oriented, loves fashion and loves to think for herself, demonstrating her critical thinking skills. Kennedy-Reign aspires to be an artist and also loves to express herself through creative storytelling.

THE THREE GIRLS

and her hair is down. They like to

y story is about three girls.

wear dresses and play.

Their names are Lily, Eden, and Nana. Lily is seven years old, Eden is six years, and Nana is

Eden is on a walk and Nana is on

nine years old.

a picnic. Eden and Nana decide to walk to the woods. Then they run into Lily, who is lost in the

The girls don’t go to regular

woods.

school, but they go to French school. They also stay at home to

They become best friends and

help their parents.

escape the woods together. Lily has straight black hair and wears pigtails. Eden has a blonde ponytail. Nana has ginger hair

I love the game Among Us, and my favourite movie is Avatar. I want people to know that I am a little good at math. I’m always proud of my artistic stuff!

101

TATE PLAYS DOORS

102

recipe and you have to make it

ate is playing doors on Roblox

with sugar so the zombies drink

on Halloween night. Doors is a

it. When the zombies drink it,

game about monsters and

they explode into candies. When

zombies. The zombies have

the monsters eat it, they explode

green skin, black eyes, teal shirts,

into juice boxes.

and blue pants. They smell like rotten flesh. Some monsters have arms and some don’t. Their

The ingredients for the potion fall

faces look scary. They all have

from the sky and land on the

eyes except for one.

ground. The potion includes sugar, disappearing fruit that only works on zombies, and salt.

The monsters and zombies eat people. Some monsters run through people and they die.

Tate has to hide from the

Some eat them. There is red

monsters and zombies until they

blood all over the place. There is

go away. He gets to door 100 and

a blue potion that can be used to

beats the game. He feels happy

kill the zombies. It magically

because he beat the doors.

appears when you make the

103

I love Minecraft and Roblox. If I could time travel, I would go to when I was a baby. Something I’m proud of is getting an exemplified certificate from school. I would like to thank my mom and dad because they are nice to me and that's why I will thank my mom and dad.

THE PEACE GEM

106

“I’m sure,” said Stacy. “Follow me

ne nice and sunny day a pixie

in.”

named Krissy was flying around to collect berries for lunch when

Krissy and Stacy walked in the

she bumped into her BFF Stacy.

cave. As they got deeper in the cave it grew brighter. Then they

“Do you want help picking

saw what was lighting the cave: a

berries?” Stacy asked.

Hydra’s fiery breath! “Yes, please!” Krissy answered. “Who dares to trespass in my cave?” the Hydra roared.

“Then follow me. I know exactly where you can find the perfect

“Aaaaaahhhhhh!” Krissy and

berries,” said Stacy.

Stacy screamed. They flew straight out of the cave and back

Stacy led Krissy to a cave with

to their village as fast as they

tons of ripe berries far away from

could.

the village. “It’s in this cave,” Stacy said.

After that run-in at the Hydra’s cave, the Hydra would fly to the

“Are you sure? It looks very damp

pixies’ village and attack. A few

and scary,” Krissy said, afraid.

days later...knock, knock!

107

“Who’s there?” Krissy asked.

found an old map of the Gem Forest. If we follow the map it will lead us to the Peace Gem, and

“Stacy!” yelled Stacy.

we could live happily ever after like pixies we hear about in

“Come in!”

stories,” said Stacy. Stacy flew in, took off her rain boots, ran upstairs, and

“Wow! So when should we start?”

motioned for Krissy to follow her.

asked Krissy.

“We need to fix the problem we

“How about tomorrow, since it is

made!” Stacy said.

going to be warm with nice weather?” said Stacy.

“What problem?” Krissy asked. “Perfect! Let’s start packing up,” Krissy said excitedly.

“Remember the Hydra thing?” Stacy whispered.

The next day Krissy and Stacy started their adventure to save

“How?” Krissy asked.

their village. Halfway through the journey both pixies were starving.

“Well in the old library I found an

They’d journeyed for 12 hours

old diary that belonged to a

with no food to eat at all.

pioneer pixie, and in the diary I

108

“Let’s stop at this bush and eat

“You can do the honours,” Krissy

these berries,” Stacy said.

said.

“No wait! I should check my

“No, we can do the honours,”

dangerous berries notebook to

Stacy said.

see if we can eat this berry or not,” said Krissy.

Slowly Krissy and Stacy took the gem and flew it to the Hydra’s

“So can you eat it or not?” Stacy

cave. Very slowly they flew into

asked.

the cave. The Hydra heard the pixies’ footsteps. Once again the

“Um,” Krissy read, "yes you can

Hydra roared, “Who dares to

eat these berries.”

trespass in my cave?”

“Then let’s eat!” Stacy yelled.

“WE DO!” Krissy and Stacy yelled. The Hydra walked over to Krissy

Krissy and Stacy took a break

and Stacy. Then the girls asked,

and ate. After eating Krissy and

“Why are you so grumpy all the

Stacy continued on their

time?”

adventure. A few hours later, they “Well,” said the Hydra, “when I

squealed, “We did it!”

was a kid I was always grumpy since I got bullied all the time. I

109

never was nice to anyone, and

Back at the village the girls

this is how I ended up.”

arranged with the mayor a big party to celebrate and make a speech.

“At least it wasn’t parenting problems,” Stacy whispered.

At the party all of the pixies in the “It was that too,” said the Hydra.

village were having fun and

“Actually...”

partying it up.

“No no no—it’s okay. We heard

Cling! Cling!

what we needed,” said Krissy. “I have a speech to say,” Krissy “Now, to reignite peace between

said. “It was our fault. We brought

us, we give you this gem. It will

the Hydra.”

show you the way of peace and happiness,” the girls said. Then

“Awww,” the crowd said.

Krissy and Stacy flew out of the cave.

“Aw man!” a man said.

“Thank you for showing me

“But,” Stacy said, “we solved the

peace!” the Hydra yelled as the

problem and made peace with

pixies left the cave.

the Hydra.”

110

“Hooray!” said the crowd.

The party was a success, and the pixie village lived happily ever after.

“Great times, great times!” the man said.

111

If I could time travel I would go to the future when I am in high school so that I could choose what subject I want to focus on. Something that I’ve done that I’m proud of is winning a trophy and a few awards for doing ballet. I would like to thank Aunty Genelle for showing my family this program, my parents for giving me the time to do this, 360° Stories for inspiring me and making this possible, and an artist named Josh who helped me with my picture.

RISE UP CHOSEN

114

Then T-Potat said, “We’ll go

-Potat was walking through

outside for it.“

Townsville and saw Citytown. Townsville was not actually a town, it was the forest around

Once they were outside, T-Potat

Citytown. Once he went in, he

started glitching out of the world

realized his stomach was

and there was an explosion.

growling. He only ate air,

Storeman Breadon ran to the

sunlight, and water (ice

middle to see if T-Potat was okay.

sometimes, but mostly water). So

T-Potat started teleporting

he went to the StoreMall, and

around when he was glitching,

Storeman Breadon welcomed

looking like he was a bug in the

him.

world. Then he teleported above Breadon and glitched out again, and appeared right in front of

Breadon said, “Are you new

him with a little cape on his back,

here?”

holding a bottle of oxygen. T-Potat said, “Yes. I would like to Breadon looked stunned. “How

try exploring through Townsville

did you do that?” he stuttered.

and levelling up my Majik skills.”

T-Potat said, “Life is just a game.

Storeman Breadon said, “Let me

Also, I’m just hungry.”

see your strongest spell.”

115

Storeman Breadon was scared

about him getting a friend who

and confused. He went to T-

would help him.

Potat and bowed down saying, “You are the chosen one.”

T-Potat said bye to Storeman Breadon, and then he saw a

T-Potat said, “I don’t know what

gaping hole under T-Potat. He

you’re talking about, but that

exclaimed, “Watch out!”

sounds funny. Tell me about it later.”

T-Potat said, “It’s fine.”

Storeman Breadon said, “I could

He put his non-existent fingers

tell you now. We could sit down

up in a peace pose and then just

and talk about it. It’s my lunch

fell in. T-Potat was glitching

break soon!”

around the world, going in and out like a bug. He bumped into a

T-Potat put his hand up and a

schoolgirl coming from her—

bottle of water and oxygen fell into existence. He caught them

“Last. Day. At. High. School!” said

and tossed them to Storeman

the young girl.

Breadon. Storeman Breadon told T-Potat all about the prophecy.

“Ow!” T-Potat screamed.

T-Potat “awwed” at the part

116

“Oh, sorry!” responded the girl,

T-Potat asked, “Are you the

dropping her papers. “Do I know

second chosen one?”

you?” The young girl replied, “No, I am T-Potat went blank with a slight

Avokate, and I still haven’t

green shine in his eyes.

learned your name yet.”

Then she asked, “Are you okay?”

T-Potat expressed, “How rude of me. My name is T-Potat. Nice to properly meet you.”

“Not in my memory files, no,” he said with an emotionless expression.

Then Avokate questioned, “Are you talking about the two

She asked, “What are you talking

chosen ones from the prophecy?

about?”

“

He reassured her, saying “Uh,

T-Potat said, “Yes, and I think you

yeah, never mind, I’m fine! Come

might be the second chosen—”

with me.” Just as T-Potat was about to He grabbed her by the arms, and

finish speaking, there was a loud

they teleported away and found

explosion noise.

themselves in an alley.

117

T-Potat stuttered, “That w-wasn’t

T-Potat said, “Here, use this. If

my spell. Just wait here, I’ll come

you need a spell, just think and

back soon.”

open. It will be right the—”

T-Potat disappeared and reap-

As T-Potat was about to finish

peared in the sky, moving toward

speaking, the hand monster

the explosion like a darting

grabbed him and threw him 25

bullet. Avokate followed quickly

rooftops away. T-Potat

behind from the ground.

responded by teleporting beside

Suddenly, Avokate heard the

the monster and giving the

voice of T-Potat saying, “You are

monster a very firm blast with his

coming with me.” Then Avokate

staff.

got teleported to where T-Potat was.

While this was happening, Avokate thought, “I need to help

When the teleportation spell was

him.”

over, Avokate was on top of a rooftop with T-Potat. T-Potat had

She thought of a duplication

a horrified look on his face. Then

spell and opened the book. She

Avokate looked down and saw a

chanted the spell, then pointed

giant hand grabbing the people

the twig at T-Potat, and this

who were running. T-Potat gave

made a puff of smoke. She

Avokate a twig and a spell book.

worried she might have

118

exploded him. But then she

Avokate whispered to herself, “I

looked down and saw 50 T-

did hear that there was going to

Potats surrounding the monster

be a new familiar in town.”

with smug looks on their faces. They all charged in while

Storeman Breadon said, “No, I’ve

Avokate pointed the twig at the

had this friend for two years now.”

monster cutting off the rest of its arm.

Avokate exclaimed, “Two years!”

All of T-Potat’s clones

T-Potat saw that Avokate was

summoned an open book while

having a nosebleed. T-Potat said,

pointing their staffs at the hand

“Let the blood run out, I need it

monster. The hand monster dis-

for something.”

appeared right before the spell was complete.

T-Potat turned the blood into a familiar and gave it to Avokate

Storeman Breadon came

saying, “This is for you.”

screaming, “Stop! Stop! That’s my familiar!”

With smiles on their faces, this was where the friends’ story

T-Potat stuttered, “F-familiar?

ended.

That thing is a familiar? It tried to kill us!”

119

My favourite show is Parallel World Pharmacy. My favourite book is Delicious in Dungeon (Dungeon Meshi). My favourite app is Unity Game Creator.

POINT OF NO RETURN

122

the door, he took his sword for

ne day an immortal teenaged

protection.

boy named Katashi Takahashi was with his friends looking for the demon that killed his parents

He was relieved when he saw his

and grandparents when he was

brother-in-law, Benjiro. Benjiro

young. That powerful demon’s

started to tell Katashi how he had

name was Isamu Tokosami.

a lead on Isamu. Isamu had used

Isamu had the ability to turn into

his powers to kill four marked

lightning and make lightning

forbidden chaos members and

monsters.

three Quinx Squad-level demon slayers simultaneously. The Quinx Squad were the most

Katashi lived with his sister, Hina

powerful sword masters in the

Takahashi, in Mt. Kumotori in

forbidden chaos Corps. So then

Okutama, the western area in

Katashi got dressed and went

Tokyo. Hina was not home

with Benjiro to find Isamu.

though; she was with a friend. As Katashi continued his hunt he started to feel tired, so he and

They went to the northern part of

sister went home. In the morning,

Tokyo. They could not find him at

he woke up to the sound of

first, but after two days they

someone banging on his door,

finally found him in an

bang bang bang. He was

abandoned hospital turning

startled, and as he went to open

Katashi’s sister into a demon.

123

Katashi tried to stop him but it

lightning powers but then

turned into a fight and everything

Katashi turned into his demon

went black as the lights all

form and ripped Isamu piece by

turned off. The lights flickered

piece, killing him. In the end,

and then they turned back on.

Katashi avenged his parents, and

Isamu had disappeared with

his sister got married to Benjiro.

Katashi’s sister.

Katashi, Benjiro, and Hina started a group called Miraculous Three.

Then Katashi went to find him and saw him in a dark alley. Isamu tried to kill him with his

124

125

If I could time travel, I would go in the future because I would want to see what it would look like. I would like to dedicate my story to my mom and aunt for pushing me to be my best and having confidence for me when I wasn’t confident in myself.

BUCKLE UP! THIS COLLECTION OF STORIES WILL TAKE YOU ACROSS THE GLOBE AND BEYOND: TO THE VALLEYS OF JIANGXI, CHINA, TO A PLANET CALLED SAPPHIRE, AND TO A TOWN CALLED TAERG (THAT’S GREAT SPELLED BACKWARDS) IN THE YEAR 2032.

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE OF STORIES IS THE NINTH ANTHOLOGY OF THE 360° STORIES PROGRAM, A CREATIVE WRITING AND ART WORKSHOP FOR ASPIRING YOUNG AUTHORS.