It was the eighteenth of December.

I was working on my Christmas list for Santa, and all I could think of was what pet I wanted for Christmas from Santa Claus.

I was thinking of a ferret, but I thought it would be too wild for a pet. Then I thought of a cat. My Dad doesn't like cats.

After a few minutes of thinking I got an idea. I could order a dragon on the Internet, but dragons would grow up to be very big.

I thought of a rhino, but he might break my mom's jewelry box if he rammed into the room.

Then I thought of a giraffe. But giraffes have too long of a neck, and then how would we feed it?

How about a puthon, I thought. But my mom does not like snakes or insects at all.

What about a Great White Shark? But where would we put the tank?

By the time I got done trying to make my list, I had not thought of a pet and it was the night before Christmas! So, I was so sad I sobbed myself asleep.

The next morning I woke up and everyone was by the Christmas tree, and my parents handed me a box. It was shaking. It was thinking, "What could it be?" Then I opened the present, and there was a tiny, blue-eyed, wet-nosed puppy. The puppy ran through my house into my bedroom and there was an identical twin puppy!

Nick Shirley
Newby Elementary
Grade 5

I have a secret place that is a place only I know about. to get to my secret place, you only have to go out a door, walk across a deck and gras to get there. My place is sort of small, sort of big. It's long, thin, shady, and quiet.

My secret place is my favorite place because it's a place I can concentrate. I like to read, write, and think in my secret place.

My secret place is just for me.

Sunnie Hawks
Columbus Elementary

Grade 4

Misty

I am a cat named Misty. The aliens are chasing everyone in New York City. I am too fast for the aliens to catch me. I am running all the way to Oregon where I will be safe. I will be safe because it is too far for the aliens to get there.

Devynn Parkinson
Washington Elementary School
Grade 4

The Journal of Jacob Winter

A Day

I have been on this trail for four months and have not reached Oregon City yet. My best friend died today. He fell into the river we were crossing and drowned. We lost an ox that got loose and was pushed by the current. We crossed the river just before sunset. Yesterday our dog chased a rabbit far away. It took us an hour or so to find him and boy was he a sight to see. He was wet and covered in mud. We were getting ready for bed when a band of Indians attacked. The men fought while the women screamed in horror. In the end we lost only a dog and two horses. I talked to a German boy, but could not understand him so I walked away. The boy had the same idea. Well, it's getting late and I must go. Bye.

Jules. D. O. Johnson
Wascher Elementary
Fifth Grade

When I started building, I used Duplos. then I used Legos, but wjen I started I used Duplos. Now I make Lego/Technic robots but before I used Legos and when I started, Duplos. I still use Legos, but I build things much bieffer than when I used Duplos.

Clayton Southall
Duniway
Grade 7

I Feel Like Colors

RED: I go ahead and sit in front of the fan.

BLUE: I lay on my bed and cry a river of tears.

GREEN: I feel joyful and happy. I play outside and laugh all day.

PURPLE: Now this is my day! It makes me feel funny, tingly, and cheery inside.

Chelsea Prem-Barron
Grade 4
Molalla Elementary School

The End of Our Earth

"Hi, I'm Slugger Sanford reporting for SPD News. Creatures from another world were spotted today by Simone Linu. Could you tell us what these gruesome creatures looked like and what weapons they had?"

"Well, as far as I could tell, they had a large ship that was a circle about a mile in width and a mile in length."

Riley Falk
Molalla Middle School
Grade 6

Disneylande

Fortunately, Jamie and John wre going to Disneyland. They were twelve year old twins.

Unfortunately, they had an hour to pack for a week trip.

Fortunately, they were almost done.

Unfortunately, they had to leave that second or else they would miss their flight.

Fortunately, they were ready to leave.

Unfortunately, John had to go to the bathroom.

Fortunately, he went fast.

Unfortunately, Jamie forgot her pillow.

Fortunately, she had already packed it.

Unfortunately, they only had five minutes to get there.

Fortunately, they got there in time.

Unfortunately, they didn't get their seats on the plane.

Fortunately, two people got ont he wrong plane so Jamie and John got their seats.

Unfortunately, one of the wings ont he plane was broken.

Fortunately, it just looked like that.

Unfortunately, it did have a hole int it. Oh no! We crashed! Then they got stuck and were never going to make it to Disneyland.

Fortunately, the plane had crashed into Disneyland. They were at Disneyland!! Then the twins cheered happily, "Yeah!!"

Becca LaPorte
Myers Elementary School
Salem, OR

The Big Mistake

I really don't know how it happened. It was all a mistake. The scene took place on an early Monday morning like any other, stress hanging in the air like a black cloud before a storm. I wolfed down my breakfast and hurried out the door to school. I glanced at my watch. "7:45! I'll have to hurry." I locked the door, hopped on my bike and split.

"Let's see, walked the dog. Check. Locked the door. Check. Brushed my teeth. Check. Dad and Mom are going to be proud to learn how responsible I've been when they get back." But I didn't stop to think about my where my spare key was. I was going to have to learn the hard way.

After I got back from school I went to the door to let myself in, but the key was gone. I retraced my steps over and over again. "It could be anywereh by now!"

Then I remembered the camping stuff in the garage. "It will have to do," I said to myself. I set up the tent, ate trail mix and vegetables from the garden and slept under the stars. I was half starved, dirt and prepared for the worst when Mom and Dad came back.

I explained the last two days. They looked at me real hard, hugged me and then told me that they were proud.

"What!?" I exclaimed.

"You've been so resourceful and responsible. You are the greatest daughter anyone could ever have!"

Cotty Ritter
6th grade
St. Joseph School

Lost and Found

My mother is from France and my father is from Japan. I don'tknow how on earth they met, but they think they have something in common. My mother has this key that is very rusty, but she has it with her all the time. I think she thinks it is a kind of good luck charm or something. but I don't think that it is because she disappears and goes in her room. The key has been in our family from generation to generation. That's all my mom tells me. One day when I was going through the hall, O found the key on the floor. So I picked it up andI looked through the house for the lcok that foes to it. So I went in my mom's room and I went on the bed examining the key ridges, when I felt something very uncomfortable. I took the sheet below the one I was laying on and picked it up. I looked on the comforter when I realized that it wasn't a comforter. It was a chest. I looked at the ridges of the key hold and I put it in. I turned the key and the chest opened. I looked inside and what I saw I couldn't say. It was so pretty. I tihnk that's why my mom didn't tell me. But I'll tell you that it was her wedding dress.

Parisah Moghaddampour
Shirle Elementary School
4th grade