Winning Words -- Kids Write About What They Read - And Prove Power Of A Good Book
Ramona is still a pest. The closet door still leads to Narnia. And Peter Pan still refuses to grow up.
Thankfully, some things never change.
And when we asked young readers to tell us about their favorite books, they confirmed something else hadn't changed: Kids still love to read - even classics enjoyed by other generations.
Nearly 200 kids entered our Kids Read contest. Just like adults, their choices in reading material covered the full spectrum from fantastical fiction, with tales populated by dragons, witches or fauns;to realistic fiction that tackled issues like sibling rivalry and racism; to nonfiction works about dinosaurs, space travel and the solar system.
Writers E.B. White, S.E. Hinton and J.R.R. Tolkien all had their fans, along with their fully named colleagues, Madeleine L'Engle, Roald Dahl and Scott O'Dell. And along with the classics were endorsements for new favorites such as the "Animorphs" series featuring kids with the power to change into animals.
Many of the youngest writers not only wrote about their favorite books but also created drawings inspired by the books.
Although it wasn't easy, we finally chose two winners who will each receive a $50 gift certificate to a bookstore. But there were so many good entries that, along with the winning essays, we also wanted to share excerpts of other favorites.
Each one reminds us of one other thing that never changes: the joy that can come from a good book.
Winner of the 7-9 age category: Micaela Surdi, 8, of Bellevue.
"Nimby" by Jasper Tompkins
"This book is about a cloud named Nimby. Nimby is a very different cloud than all the old puffs. Nimby wants to have fun by making cloud shapes in the sky. Some of the shapes are a dinosaur and a comfy couch, a dish of ice cream and a fountain with water. The old puffs don't like that at all. At the end, Nimby makes a friend that is an island. They get along very well. Both of them make shapes together. And the only ones who knew about the shapes were you, me and the sun. The book is very colorful. When I look up in the sky I always think of Nimby.
"The reason that I like this book is because Nimby dares to be different and I am different, too!"
Winner of the 10-12 age category: Shannon O'Neal, 12, of Federal Way.
"Running Out of Time" by Margaret Peterson Haddix.
"I've been a fluent reader since I was very young, but there were times when I didn't really love reading so much. Because I was only 5 when my Mom and Dad tried to teach me how to read, I couldn't really get into it much. I didn't know most of the words, so it was hard for me to understand. But I later did, starting in about second grade.
"I learned that there are so many great things out there, things to expand your knowledge and open your mind into the imagination world.
"Recently, I went to my school book fair and got a book recommended by a friend. I don't usually get anything from book fairs . . . too much money, no time. . . . But this year, I found two great-looking books. This particular one, `Running Out of Time' by Margaret Peterson Haddix, was my first choice.
"It starts out in a small home on the frontier, year 1840. The main character, Jessie, is a young girl growing up with her family. Her father (the blacksmith), her mother (a doctor) and a few siblings. Just as a deadly disease strikes the village, Jessie discovers a horrifying secret. Her mother reveals that their family, and many others, are living in a reconstructed town, otherwise known as Clifton, that serves as a tourist attraction.
"Jessie is shocked, and even more so when her mother asks her to escape and rescue all of the sick children. Luckily, Jessie does so safely, and embarks on a terrifying yet exciting journey.
"This book is so powerful! It pulls you in and doesn't let go until the very end, just when you begin to want to know more. Jessie is forced to discover herself and have the courage to put her own life at risk to save the ones that she loves."
Some other recommended reading:
James Tallar, 8, of Bothell
"Dinosaurs of North America" by Helen Roney Sattler
"My favorite book is `Dinosaurs of North America.' I checked it out when I was in second grade. I read it almost every day until I was finished. In third grade I found `Discoveries of North America.' It's about inventions. I barely got started, then I found it (the dinosaur book) again, and I read it, oh, I say about three times. When I read it the third time it sounded better than before. It was like I was inside the book learning more about science with every word. Then I bought the book at a garage sale. I'm reading it right now."
Gavin Campbell, 8, of Seattle
"Finding the Green Stone" by Alice Walker
"Johnny and Katie own two identical green stones. But one day Johnny lost his green stone. Katie tried to comfort Johnny. Johnny liked it when she showed him her green stone. But when he remembered it was hers, he got mad. Mr. Rosesharp, Mr. Oaks and Johnny are joined by the whole community. If you want to find out if they find it or not, read the book for yourself.
"I like the book because it shows that you should respect and care for each other.
"Remember to keep your own green stone glowing!"
Michelle Morse, 12, of Mercer Island
"Circle of Friends" by Maeve Binchy
"My favorite book in the entire world, that I have read so far, is definitely `Circle of Friends.' The story revolves around Benny and Eve, two girls who grew up in a small town in Ireland called Knockglen. It involves their individual relationships and their own outlook on the world.
"Through Benny's relationship with her best friend Eve, her boyfriend Jack, her mischievous admirer, Sean, and her friend Nan, who betrayed her, she learns a lot about life. This taught me to look at everybody individually and to learn from him or her regardless of their being just like Benny. To me, friends are extremely important and crucial in living and leading a happy life. This is just one reason why I love this book so much. Each time I read this book (average once a year for the last four years), it inspires me in different ways."
Diane McDonald, 11, hometown unavailable
"Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli
" `Maniac Magee' is about a boy named Jeffrey Magee who is an orphan ever since his parents were killed. He had always dreamed of having a real family. Whenever he thought that a home had found him, there was something not quite right. This story will make you realize how bad racism really is. This story proves that although people think that blacks and whites are totally different, they are really the same. Chocolaty-brown skin doesn't mean that you are different. Tan skin doesn't mean that you are different, either."
Magalie Working, 8, of Bellevue
"Aliens for Lunch" by Jonathan Etra (part of a trilogy that also includes "Aliens for Breakfast" and yes, you guessed it, "Aliens for Dinner.")
"My favorite of the Aliens trilogy is `Aliens for Lunch.' Richard, Henri and the little bubble-gum pink alien go out to space on a mission to save the stuff that makes desserts taste good. It is sort of funny and good, because they fight big aliens with celery sticks! Find out if they complete their mission by reading `Aliens for Lunch.' "
Robert Chinen, 11, of Seattle
"The Kid Who Ran for President" by Dan Gutman
"I like the story because it's not a book that you're reading because you have to. When I started this book I didn't want to stop until the end. I know you don't think it's possible for a kid to be president. Even though there may be a law, by the end of the book I was convinced it could happen. In fact I was ready to run myself. When I tried, it didn't work out. But maybe if you read the book, you'll get some pointers and become the first kid president!"
Amy Budwill, 8, of Bothell
"Owen" by Kevin Henkes
"I like Owen because it is about a mouse that loves his blanket more than anything. I have a blanket but I don't like it as much as Owen likes his. NO ONE CAN LOVE A BLANKET MORE THAN OWEN!"
Jessica Drain, 12, of Fall City
"What About Me?" by Colby Rodowsky
"`What About Me?' is a great book about Dorrie and her little mentally retarded brother, Fredlet. Her parents make her skip parties and social events to watch him. She loves her brother and this is a story about how she copes with Fredlet. I like this book because it is so touching. It is very realistic and Rodowsky makes Fredlet so lovable. This is an all-around good book."
Jennifer Sloan, 8, of Bothell
"Little House in the Big Woods," by Laura Ingalls Wilder
"My favorite books are the `Little House in the Big Woods' books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. An exciting part in `Little House in the Big Woods' was when Pa went to town to trade furs, there was a bear in the way. The bear didn't move when Pa went right up to it and tried to scare it. Pa did all sorts of things to try to get it out of the road. Then he found a big stick that fell from a tree. He picked it up and ranted at the bear and bonked it on his head, but it wasn't a bear, it was an old stump.
"I like Laura and her family because they move and make their houses and sometimes they tell you how to make things. Laura's family does lots of fun stuff."
Alta Miles, 9, Burien:
"Can I Have a Stegosaurus, Mom?: Can I? Please!?" by Lois G.Grambling
"The main character is a boy and he wants a stegosaurus. His mom said no and he kept on asking and she kept on saying no. If you want to know what happens next, you will have to check this book out at your local library. It will make you happy and want a stegosaurus or a T. Rex."
Melissa DeMarce, 10, Federal Way
"Ramona the Pest" by Beverly Cleary.
"The story is about Ramona and how she is asking too many questions. She's crazy, weird and really annoying to her sister, mom, dad and her friends. I liked the story because it made me laugh the whole time I was reading it. If you sit down and start to read it, you can't put it down.
"Really, the story reminds me of myself. I have an older sister who is 16. I am always being annoying, crazy and weird to her."
Sean Sullivan, 9, of Seattle
"Dog Breath!: The Horrible Terrible Trouble with Hally Tosis" by Dav Pilkey.
"The Tosis family loves their dog Hally Tosis but Hally has a problem. You see, Hally has HORRIBLE breath! Every time she opens her mouth horrible breath comes out. Even skunks think her breath is horrible. And the only way to get rid of the smell is to get rid of Hally, but the Tosis family doesn't know that trouble is coming. I am not going to tell you any more, because I want you to read it."