Marina, 5th Grade - "My Trip to California"

During the summer I went to California with my family. My uncle got married, and we were invited for a celebration brunch for his marriage. During the flight, I read more than 100 pages of "Twilight". It was great how I got to read so many pages. The flight was 6 hours and felt long, and I was glad when we arrived at my grandfather's house where we would stay.

The next day, we went to Hollywood. We saw the Kodak Theatre and Chinese Theatre. I thought it was so cool how movie stars put handprints in front of the Chinese Theatre. I recognized a few people I heard of, Shirley Temple, Jackie Cooper, and Warren Beatty. From there, we were able to see the "Hollywood" sign on the hills and we took many pictures.

On Saturday, we went to the Disneyland Hotel Goofy's restaurant, where the brunch was taken place. The restaurant was a buffet, and the food was delicious. After the meal, we went to Disneyland. I went on many rides. My 4 year - old brother was really scared of "Haunted Mansion", and he still whines about it!

The following day, my uncles and aunts and my cousin all came to my grandfather's house for a barbeque. Since I'm turning 11 on August 19th, they gave me a surprise birthday party. I thought it was wonderful having the whole family come together. I got a chess set, a DS game, and many more. It was a very fine day for me.

My grandfather has a book about my ancestors, and he told me that my family tree can be traced to a thousand years ago! I heard that my family was well known back then, and had a successful business. About 200 years ago, one of my ancestors tried to start a paper company in Japan. He bought a paper making machine from the US to be shipped to Japan, but the ship sank on the way and the business failed. I was sad to hear the story but was amazed at how my family started such a long time ago.

I had a lot of great times at California, and I wish that I could go back there some time again!

High School Student Lauren ReviewsHarry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: The Movie

           A Critical Approach 

I absolutely love the Harry Potter series! However, when a movie is made from a book, I become a little apprehensive.  I am one of those people who love this series so much, that I get upset when parts are eliminated, modified or lacking the detail from the book.  One part that I did not like was in the beginning where the director changed the way Harry went to the Burrow. Also, the movie left out the part where Harry was asked by the Minister of Magic to become the “poster child” for the Ministry.  I felt that was an important subject since it showed how the Ministry felt badly for accusing Harry of lying the previous year and wanted the public not to look unfavorably upon its governing body.  The movie went too quickly when discussing many key parts of the school year.  The discovery of horcruxes and investigating the memories surrounding them were not giving those crucial parts of the story justice. In conclusion, I believe this movie was one of the better ones in the series to date.  I anticipate the final two movies.  Since the last book of the series will be made into two separate movies, hopefully, there will be enough opportunity to tell the story without leaving anything out.   Only a year and a half until then!  
 

Alexis, 3rd Grade - "My Independence Day Float"

If I were to have my own float in the Chatham Fourth of July Parade...well it would be totally awesome. I have already designed an Independence Day float in my mind. There  would be a tall green Statue of Liberty with two bright stars next to her. Behind the statue there would be a big poster board representing the U.S. A with the word FREEDOM on it. On the bottom it would have red, white and blue stripes. Miley Cyrus would be on the float singing God Bless America while red spot lights illuminate her body. Like I said...it would be awesome!