826 Seattle Telescope

Dear Reader,

I recently saw a documentary about The New York Times called Page One. It dwelled largely on the uncertain fate of the newspapers and the growing reluctance of American readers to care about the journalism as a foundation to a democratic society. It was a glum movie with clear takeaways: journalism is serious, journalism is important.

But why can’t journalism also be fun? This is why I love the Newspaper Club at 826 Seattle. Here are budding writers who are so enthusiastic about writing, they’ll do it even after getting through all of their homework (and let me tell you, kids today have so much homework!). Within these pages are news stories, profiles, reviews, comics, and more—all of which I guarantee are 100% fun.

A couple weeks ago, the Newspaper Club took a field trip to the offices of The Daily, the award-winning newspaper of the University of Washington. The tour started in the advertising department, where Kristin Millis, our guide, explained that “to make newspapers, you need to have advertising because it’s a business.”

Sure, there are ads in The Telescope, but there’s no money behind them. And perhaps that’s what makes this newspaper so great. Unlike The Daily or The New York Times, The Telescope is not a business, but journalism in its purest form: being passionate about a story and telling it honestly. Putting together this newspaper was a lot of fun—I can’t think of a better argument for why journalism is important.

Kevin Nguyen, 826 Tutor and newspaper club advisor

By Max Pennington and Rowan Murray, ages 11

About Max

Rowan Murray interviewing Max Pennington

Rowan: What is your background?

Max: I am a very mysterious child with many hidden skills.

Rowan: Tell me about your family?

Max: I have super busy parents, a hyperactive dog, an old insomniac rat, and me.

Rowan: Describe the activities in which you are currently involved.

Max: I am in after school care and 826 Seattle.

Rowan: Tell me something unusual that has happened to you.

Max: …Lets not go there.

Read More →

By Meron and Kidus Solomon, ages 11 and 8

In April, brother and sister Meron and Kidus Solomon took a trip to the Puget Sound Goat Rescue in Maple Valley, Washington. They met with the goat farm owner, Barbara Jamison, who rescues unwanted goats from local slaughter houses, nurses them to health, and finds them new adoptive homes. Meron and Kidus took notes on their experience, and wrote open letters back to their new four-legged friends.

To Nahla, the baby Boer-Nubian cross having difficulties learning to nurse from a bottle

Dear Nahla,
Don’t be ashamed because there are things that we all can’t do. But someday we will learn. You will probably be able to drink in a bottle next week. See you, Nahla!

Love,
Meron

To the 3-day old baby goat with the protective mother

Dear Baby Nubian,
What kind of conditioner do you use, because your ears are soft! Newborn, cute, cute, cute! You’re so tiny and cuddly! You have a good mom, so don’t disobey her. If you get annoyed by her, be happy because she is just doing her job protecting you.

Love,
Meron

To Levi, the grandpa Saanen with the long white beard

Dear Levi,
You are very handsome and big. Keep your goatee. I think the ladies like it.

Love,
Meron

To Cowboy, the Nigerian-Dwarf Cross

Dear Cowboy,
I see you like my brother and Alicia—what do I need to win you too? Don’t forget to stand tall.

Love,
Meron

To Puffy, a two month old Alpine

Dear Puffy,
You sure know how to drink! When you were almost done with the bottle, foam from the milk was on your mouth! Maybe you could use it for Halloween—the goat with rabbis! The fun thing is you get to have a treat before “baah-ing” and trick or treating. Have a good time!

Love,
Meron

Read More →

By Nebula, age 1.34 billion

Dear Nebula,

I have a huge problem! My husband and I both work all day to make ends meet. When we come home at the end of the day, he gets to play with our daughter (who is super cute and fun!) and I have to make dinner. I like to cook, but shouldn’t he be helping out in the kitchen? What should we do?

Sincerely,
Weary of Waffles

Dear W.O.W.,
The answer is simple: roll dice and see who will make the meal each night. But if you simply want help and don’t want to play silly games, ask him directly if he can help you. Or even better, ask both your husband and daughter. That way, you get help making dinner and can spend time with your family.

Sincerely,
Nebula

Dear Nebula,
I have a book that I need to read for school, and I really do not like it. Usually, I like my books, but this one bores me and I find my mind wandering when I read it. That makes it hard to finish. What should I do?

Sincerely,
Tom

Dear Tom,
What I think you should do is simple: find someone in your class who has not really started and ask if they want to be your reading partner then read out loud to each other. But, if you don’t want to do that, or nobody will help you, read out loud to yourself and act like the character. Make funny voices.

Sincerely,
Nebula

Dear Nebula,
How do I tell a girl I like her?

Sincerely,
Sappy and Confused

Dear S.A.C.,
Give her a gift with a note saying how you feel. Be yourself.

Sincerely,
Nebula

Dear Nebula,
I know of 3 students that are not doing their homework. One says that she is done but I’m not so sure. What should I do?

Sincerely,
Duped(?) Tutor

Dear (Duped?) Tutor,
Think of ways to reward them for finishing the work and if that doesn’t help talk to them one on one about their homework. Check the student’s homework every time she says she’s done.

Sincerely,
Nebula

Dear Nebula,
I have this problem with my brother. He keeps getting all of this attention from my parents. It’s like I’m not important to them anymore. What should I do?

Sincerely,
Ignored

Dear Ignored,
I think you should just tell your parents how you feel, and tell your brother too. That way, they will all be a little more careful with your feelings.

Sincerely,
Nebula

Dear Library Loner,
If you borrowed the book, just email that you’re sorry you forgot, and ask if he/she still wants it.

Sincerely,
Nebula

Dear Sharing Shorts,
Just tell your wife how much you love the cargo, and say that it would mean a lot if you would let me wear them.

Sincerely,
Nebula

Dear Leaping Lizards,
Tell the girl that it really hurt your feelings that she threw your lizard and if she still bothers you, tell an adult.

Sincerely,
Nebula

By Kidus Solomon, age 8

Kidus: What is your background?

JP: I was born in Minnesota. Then I moved to Montana. Then I moved to Washington, where I went to college. Now I live in Seattle.

Kidus: Tell me about your family.

JP: I have a mom and a dad. They are not married. I have a sister who is 15 years old. They all live in Montana.

Kidus: Describe the activities in which you are currently involved.

JP: I work at an Ice Cream shop. I read and write a lot. I ride my bike around town.

Kidus: Tell me something unusual that has happened to you.

JP: When I was ten years old, I had surgery on my neck. They took out two swollen lymph nodes.

By Nazrawit Dessie, age 10

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole is the animated story of two owls, Kludd and Soren who are kidnapped by an evil army. Kludd becomes evil and Soren flies away where he meets some friends and tries to come back to rescue Kludd. This is the story of their battle. It takes place at a big monster’s house.

The movie stars Jim Sturgess, Ryan Kwanten, and Helen Mirren as the voices of the owls. Jim is dramatic in voice and his character is caring and nice. Ryan’s performance is cool and strong.

The theme of this movie is that people shouldn’t join a scary and difficult army.

As a whole, the movie sounds scary and feels scary, but ends up being very exciting.

Rating: 4 stars

By Chris Withrow, age 10

Halo: Reach is a great game. Despite the fact that you get to shoot an alien in the head, the graphics are amazing and the sounds are realistic, and they make you feel like you are a part of the game.

Halo allows you to explore other worlds while killing aliens with creative and futuristic weapons. The goal is to find human life. In addition, you can play campaign games like “Juggernaut” or “King of the Hill.” You can also play a head-to-head game with a friend.

The game takes place in numerous settings like outer space, alien planets and the last human planet, Reach.

Halo Reach is an awesome game because it has futuristic sound effects.

Rating: 4 stars

By Sam Machkovech, 826 Seattle Tutor

I made a huge mistake.

I feel comfortable telling you, dear reader, because you’re the kind who picks up a newspaper written by Seattle grade-school students and says, “I have to own this.” Yours is an admirable instinct, and it endears me to you immediately.

But your instinct is going to ruin my life.

Let me explain. I have volunteered at 826 Seattle for nearly three years now, and this has led me to a simple conclusion. In short, our stuff works. Our students consistently grow more confident with their trouble school subjects, and they dabble in extracurricular pursuits at 826, like fiction, art, or knitting, with great success.

A journalist myself, this year I volunteered to take part in something called “Journalism Club.” After students finish their homework, we invite them to flex their creative muscles by learning the ropes of journalism. Movie reviews, polls, interviews, editorials—the nuts and bolts of my day job.

These bright students kept coming back for more tips and encouragement, and I obliged, knowing that before long, they would become my competition. I know I will one day see their names beneath the biggest headlines, and I will whisper to myself, “You were once the students. Now you are the masters.”

Suffice to say, I am preparing myself for early retirement, dear reader, since these students will no doubt soon have my job. But after reading these articles and seeing the young writers’ eager faces, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Enjoy 826 Seattle’s first student newspaper.

By Alex Duncan, age 12

If I got trapped underground I would probably freak out. I don’t think I would be able to keep it together as long as you did. It must have been excruciating being trapped in there for 63 days. How did you survive? What did you live on? How did you keep order? What was it like in there? Who was the one who established the order? (And rules?)

If I was trapped underground and I could have someone somehow give me three things I wanted it would probably be: a sack of food, huge jug of water like the ones seen in offices, and a cellphone (To let people I know be sure that I was ok).

I have felt trapped, definitely not like your guys, but still, trapped. It was a park that was just newly being released to the public and I was there, seeing it get released. When it was open I immediately started having fun. Now, remember, I’m a really tall kid for my age, big too. So back then, I was still big for my age. They had these hole-like things that you could wiggle through and I wanted to try it. I got about halfway through before I got stuck. I might not be claustrophobic but I’m still far from comfortable in small and enclosed spaces. I know that my five-minute freak-out was nothing compared to your 63 days underground, but it’s the closest relation I have to what you went through.

By Segan Araya, age 12

My brother is a pest and I know a lot of girls probably think the same thing. Here’s why:

• They read your diary and blackmail you so they can get what they want, and if you don’t listen, they will tell all your friends your secrets.
• They take the last of everything—food, pencils, EVERYTHING!!!
• They blame everything on you so you’ll get in trouble and get you grounded.

Here’s a way to prevent brothers from blackmailing you: blackmail them back. Also, every time they go to the bathroom steal—er, I mean BORROW—their stuff. And last, when they like a girl, stick it to them by telling them you know and won’t stop until they do what you want.

What would make brothers better is being caring for their sisters. Look out for them, knock on their door, treat them with total and complete respect. If they are going to be late for school, wake them up and tell them, but kindly. And most of all, love your sister.

By Khalid Johnson, age 11

The movie “Balls of Fury” was a poorly written movie. The actors played poorly. In the beginning, the movie started to build tension, but the end messed it up. The storyline started with a kid who was really good at ping-pong, but he got embarrassed on TV so he quit. 25 years later, the FBI needed him to play in a contest so they could catch a suspect.

The scene that spoiled this movie was at the end where the suspect plays music and starts dancing out of nowhere. The movie takes place in China and America. Luckily, in the end, the FBI’s suspect was caught.

The scene I actually liked was where the main character, Dan Fogler, played this really strong guy in ping-pong. When he lost, he cried.

All in all, I think I’ll give this PG-13 movie one star because of the sudden change of mood in the ending.

Rating: *

By Ebrihima Dibasey, age 8

So there is this guy that is a kick butt guy (Jaden Smith) and there is a man that is the plumbing person (Zhenwei Wang) and so he (Jaden Smith) goes up to this girl (Wen Wen Han) and shows off to her, then the bad guy, then the master (Jackie Chan), and he is wall to wall cool.

It’s a nice movie and cool—very cool.

Rating: ****

By Nazrawit Dessie, age 9

It is a show that is not a comedy but just a show that is sad. It takes place at the north pole and everything is made out of ice and it is in the summer, July. There is the big penguin, Sarah, Medium Sweetie and the small penguin, Kelly. They are really good friends, they hang out together and there is no mean one. There is no bad guy and they are all friendly to each other. They were going to school together when they noticed there was a substitute teacher and they ended up the only ones good and not in trouble. I think it is good because I made it up.