Paul Dunbar Anthology
Moments
Elias C.
The happiest moment in my life is when I got my first award.
The saddest moment in my life is when my great grandfather died.
A time when I saw something life changing is when I saw my parents fighting.
A time I learned something that I won’t forget is never eat all the food at once.
The Time I Rode on the Back of a Motorcycle
Elias C.
I remember when I was 11 and got to ride on the back of a motorcycle in the spring. It was the afternoon. My brother and sister were here with me in this memory. No one in this memory was coming or going. The temperature outside was humid. I heard roaring engines and the smell was horrible because of the exhaust pipes. I was near my grandparents’ house riding up and down the road. My parents and family members were behind me while I was riding the motorcycle.
Rage Mage
Where I’m From
Niarra M.
I come from my grandma’s house.
I come from the mall because I buy stuff.
I come from my old school because memories.
I come from my mom because she inspires me to dream big and keep going.
I come from my dad because he inspires me to never quit.
I come from getting gifts from my grandma on Christmas and $100.
I come from my brother coming to my house to visit because he lives in Florida.
I come from going to Niagara Falls and Michigan.
I come from food like chicken and steak.
I come from being told to stand up and make a difference.
I come from being told to stand up for yourself.
My Mom Said This
Niarra M.
One day when I was in bed I came downstairs in my robe I could smell the fried potatoes and bacon and eggs this morning when I was walking in the hallway to my right was the white wall to my left was the bathroom with the bench and behind me was my brothers blue door with the WWE sign I came into my mom’s room because she called me so when I got in there she said hey nini because that’s my nickname so she said I need to tell you something I said ok she said never quit. I said ok.
Spy Girl
Jayda C.
My character is Destiny Parker she loves to be active and 2 secret agents ask her to be a teenage under cover spy. Her mission is to travel to Paris, France and live there. While she is there she made two new best friends, Jessica Malcom and Alivia Prend. They start to wonder why she isn’t around much. Destiny has to stop Dr. Lou and Nurse Windy from blowing up the moon. She has been at this for three months and already got the hang of it. She hates when his and her traps are easy to get out of. She likes to try hard ways instead of easy ways. Her friends are coming closer to finding out who she really is she is starting to think if being a spy is worth losing a friend. After that Dr. Lou traps her and she can’t call for help so Jessica face chats her and finds out she is a spy too. Yeah Jessica and Alivia are spies for the same headquarters. They go out to save her and have to fight Nures Windy’s army of robots. They fight off the robots and save destiny but it’s not over Nurse Windy got away. Destiny ran jumped on her and capture her and Dr. Lou. Now they are in prison and everyone had a victory party.
The Summer Field Day
Jayda C.
I remember being at school with my mom and family at 11:30 am. When we started summer field day. I just turned 9 and I was happy. I was there because it seemed like a cool family activity I played on the playground with my sister and also jumped on the bouncy house with my brother. My mom said our Uncle Jimmy is coming. He and his son arrive and his son Jimmy Jr. said it smells like “hot dogs”. Then I took him to the snowcone machine because it was 83 degrees and I was super hungry. When Mrs. Howard announced the dance with my brother and sister on her left, students behind her and the principle on her right we dance until 2:30 then sang karaoke.
The Amazing Adventures of Oppy
Keana D.
Hi. My name is Oppy the bird. I love friendship so much, but I hate disrespect. I live in a nest high up in an oak tree. I have 3 friends named Gootha the dog, Summer the human and Niome the cat. Last week my friend Summer moved to Cincinnati, but every once in a while she comes to visit her relatives and ME here in Cleveland. Sometimes I miss Summer so much and I wish she was here because she always sticks up for me when enemies are around such as Craig and his gang. Have you ever heard of that saying “the world doesn’t revolve around you” or “you can’t always get your way”? Well I wish I could. I wish everyone could get along and be friends, but sometimes I fear that one day everyone will go against each other. But as long as I have my family and friends, I will be OK!
Where I’m From
Keana D.
I am from dirty rooms.
I am from reading books and taking work serious.
I am from a know-it-all family.
I am from one of those people who talk a lot.
I come from being spoiled a lot.
I come from hearing the birds in the morning.
I come from warm hugs.
I come from HOME where I belong!
Moving Away
Keana D.
One of the saddest memories of my life was when I had to move away from West 47th street. I had to move because my landlord refused to fix my bathroom. I was 9 years old at the time and plus it was summertime. I moved a street over to West 48th. I was sad that day because my best friend Julie Hale lived right next door to me and she was a bright person. I now live on Monroe Street even farther away from 48th and 47th street, but from this day on I still visit my best friend Julie Hale.
Two Princesses
Trema T.
My character is a British princess named Princess Lizzy she lives in an all pink palace and she loves fluffy dresses and pink my characters friends are everyone (animals) my character hates make up, pop, Princess Tabitha, my characters enemies are Princess Tabitha my characters fears are BUGS! My character wants to become famous and still be a princess and she also wants more fluffy dresses. Now I know you’ve been hearing Princess Tabitha a lot in this story let me explain to you who she is she’s my characters enemy she’s famous and is still a princess she has over 1000 fluffy dresses my character only has 10 and everyone even people she doesn’t know is her friend and everyone loves her so, one day princess Lizzy goes to princess Tabitha and watches her next thing you know she’s wearing makeup trying to act like princess Tabitha. Princess Tabitha notices this and goes to princess Izzy’s palace and says I’ve noticed your behavior peeking through my windows acting like me yeah and if you want people to like you as much as they like me be yourself before I got like this I was a nobody who says I like being famous like and if you want me to be your friend you could have just asked like a normal human being than peeking through my window so princess Lizzy said “sorry” and they became BFFL’s
Signed: Princess Tabitha and Princess Lizzy
The Time I Met Jayda
Trema T.
I remember on august 13, 2014 I was the new kid and it was math and science I was new Jayda Michelle Collins asked me to be her partner for math and science then we’ve been hanging out and soon found out we both liked dancing and music and the girl band fifth harmony and soon planed on meeting them on the Ellen show and going to the Ellen show together and showing our talents to the world and soon becoming famous. We also planned on writing new songs together and becoming song writers and me and Jayda’s moms are close me and Jayda are extremely close so yeah and our older brothers are in the same grade and close. Our younger sisters are close too and yeah so me and Jayda are BFFL’s and I hope our dreams come true and our family comes closer together.
When I Had My Own Dog
Ma’ Ann T.
When I was in a hotel in the summer time, when I was seven years old I went to visit my dog, I was thinking of the fun moments in me and my dogs life, my mom my brother my sister and my soon to be little sister, and of course my dog were about to go outside and play with him, but it was only 30 degrees outside my dog always loved the cinnamon smell in the hotel room, my dog always liked sing barking to me I had taught him that. And I had asked my dog did he want to watch tv or sit on the bed or take a view from the balcony. I looked at my dog and told him how much I would miss him when he was gone.
Mrs. Brainie Pants
Ma’ Ann T.
Hi my name is Mrs. Brainie Pants I was taking a test all of the time I got 100% correct all of the time then there were some kids that were jealous of me smartness. Next in the morning it was Saturday and her friends came over for a play date and then the jealous kids snuck into her house while she was in her house but just downstairs they had found out her secret to how smart she was they took it back to their hide out and tried it but something went wrong and it caused the kids to turn into some evil nasty super villains and then when the play date was over and then it was night time Mrs. B.P. took a quick walk and then she ran into the villains she couldn’t see them and then they left. When they were gone she knew that it was trouble.
Climbing Mt. Everest
Shelby K.
(Emma enters stage left very determined.)
Emma: “I need to find someone who will climb Mt. Everest. I’ll interview people.”
Laura: “Hi. I’m Laura. I want to be an explorer”
Emma: “Are you willing to climb Mt. Everest?”
Laura: “I have to climb Mt. Everest?! I’m out!”
Emma: “I guess I will call in the next person. Next!”
Niki: “Hi. I’m Niki, where are we going exploring?”
Emma: “Will you climb Mt. Everest?”
Niki: “No way! See ya.”
Emma: (Sigh) “Next!”
Bella: “Hello, I’m Bella. What are you going to do?”
Emma: “Climb Mt. Everest.”
Bella: “What! What! That is way too cold!”
Emma: “I guess I will climb Mt. Everest myself. I need to get my equipment!”
Charlotte: “I will climb the tallest mountain in the world.”
Emma: “Finally! Someone who is brave enough! Pack your bags, we are leaving tomorrow!”
Charlotte: “Let’s go climb that mountain!”
Emma: “We have to reach the summit!”
Charlotte: “We did it!”
Where I’m From
Shelby K.
I’m from playing outside with friends and special birthday breakfasts and getting ice cream on the last day of school.
I’m from ice shows and big Christmas shows. I help out with holiday parties at my mom’s job.
I come from delicious cheeseburgers and making homemade pizza. I make surprise breakfast for the family on some mornings.
I come from a place where I am raised to be smart, kind, helpful and joyful. I come from a place where I was once told “you can make a change in the world.”
I come from ice skating, baseball, football and track.
My Trip to Disney World
Shelby K.
I remember when I went to Disney World. I got here in the morning and back at night. We were on vacation. I was five years old. I was with my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, sister, and cousins. It was very hot. About 90 degrees. The air smelled like popcorn. Everywhere I went I heard screams of joy. There were rides and games everywhere. In front of me were rides. To my left was my family. To my right where the games were. Behind me was Cinderella’s Castle. When we got back to the condo we went for a swim. This was the best day ever!
Carly P. Knight
Roniesha D.
Hi my name is Carly P. Knight I live in a sugar castle I like the color pink I hate the color black my friends are rosy, pink, and hope they like the color pink too. My enemies are Jordan, Carlos, and Jake they try to turn my castle black my wish is to have a sugar pink horse. I fear black horses with red eyes and black stuff.
Sincerely, Carly P. Knight
The Time I Moved
Roniesha D.
When it was the day to move we gathered our stuff we got our dog toys and all the stuff when we arrived at the house me and my sister went upstairs and looked at some rooms so I start putting stuff in my room then I thought every time we move its next to an alley then my mom brother came over and asked did we want to go to the movies my mom said yes so we came back at night and that’s how we moved.
Where I’m From
Katherine C.
I’m from the smallest closet and biggest and cozy house.
I’m from mothers and fathers, aunts and daughters with brothers.
I’m from biting my nails ‘fore I read at church.
I’m from favorite chairs and going to my lake house. I one day will perform.
I’m from smelling the croissants all the way from upstairs and nibbling on yummy s’mores.
I’m from don’t count your chickens before they hatch or pretty is what pretty does.
I’m from birds chirping at dawn and cars at night.
I’m from blossoms and daffodils.
I’m from Aphrodite and Athena.
I’m from friends, family, and relatives.
I’m from love.
I’m from all.
Beauty White
Katherine C.
It was one night right before morning and I came to the world. My mom (Apple White) looked down she saw my blue eyes and blonde hair and decided to call me Beauty White. The next day there was a big festival then my mother fell… soon she died and I had never seen my dad so upset. Soon I was 4 and don’t feel bad I never knew her that much! Not my dad so he married a vain, cruel, and dark lady named Raven Queen! She hated me so much that on their wedding day I couldn’t even sit next to my dad! I had to go in the back now! Then when I was six I was running down the halls and I saw my mother’s room creaked open which is always locked so I thought it wouldn’t be bad to take a peak so I did and you know what this is what I saw!
I couldn’t believe my eyeballs! Like who needs a mirror to tell them if they’re pretty like she’s gorgeous. But I just went with my life and never told a soul. So one night it was my 18th b-day and I was about to leave and I was again, walking down the hall and I saw my mom again in the mirror she asked who was the fairest and it said you my queen you are yes, it’s true but Beauty White is 100 times fairer than you!
Jaden
Van W.
I was strapped out of my car seat and carried onto the shiny concrete. I walked with my mother, shyly quivering behind her back. We crossed the lot and reached the sidewalk, she nudged me to her side. Lego swooshing past, I tightened my grip on her hand. We reached the wooden mulch, passing some saggy jeans, which I assumed was a tall man. My mother pointed to one of my future classmates. “Sarah,” she said. We had been at a meeting to make friends for my new kindergarten. “Sarah,” she said again. I slowly walked over, going about ½ mile per hour as the other kid turned, I could now see his face; he was a short, Asian child. I could tell he was about my age, despite his height. As we faced each other, he introduced himself. “Hi. I’m Jaden.” I looked up to find my mom. She raised her eyebrows as if to say “come on just do it.” Then I found the courage. “Hi” I said “I’m Van”. Jaden looked up at his mother and whispered as if trying not to let me hear “just like the car”.
Me
By Destiny C., from Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland
They call me the money spender
The respect giver the baby face
Assassin it you will
I play ball like Curry, manipulate
My parents to the point where they
Wanna hurt me but I sit back and
Laugh.
I do me to the point where
All the girls hate me.
Now put my name Destiny and doing
Hair is my game
I eat and cook food as I aim
On getting good grades and I play
Uno like it spades
I Am
By Dajanaé B., from the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland
I am a singer and smart.
I am not what people think I am.
I am the player of my favorite basketball team making a shoot one hand.
I am Jenal Monae with the weird style.
I am the breakfast you sit on your table in the morning and wake up saying finger-licking good.
I am the swish you hear when Curry hit that 3 pointer.
I am the newborn nany that has to grow up to learn and to be successful in life.
I am the speech of Dr. Martin Luther King when he gives inspiring speech to Blacks and Whites.
I am the confident one who doesn’t care about that others said.
I am a Golden State fan and I’m also Dajanaé.
Acupuncture
By Tess K.
Somewhere in the world someone’s got needles in their feet from trekking through the desert because there was nowhere else to go.
Somewhere in the world a man’s got thorns against his ankles because it’s just one more step.
And somewhere in the world a woman’s got razor blades through her wrists because she couldn’t take it anymore.
But they’re not needles to us.
No.
Us rich white people don’t call it torture
starvation
suicide
We just see knitting needles and sewing kits
And we call it acupuncture.
Somewhere
By Rachael M.
Somewhere in a school
Somewhere in this world
A girl is being bullied for being herself
She’s crying in the bathroom alone
Somewhere in that same school
The girl tries to tell the principal
but it doesn’t matter, they can’t help
Somewhere outside of school
the girl cuts her wrists.
watching blood run down her arms
not thinking about the
Somewhere in a hospital
the girl lays in a bed
stitches up her arms.
luckily she’s not dead
Somewhere back at school
a boy sees her scars
He tries so hard to help her
cause he knows that its hard.
Somewhere in this world
theres someone who cares
even if you don’t know it
theres someone out there
Somewhere in the Mix
By Pat W.
Strange shaped bones
stand still
on Almond castles
compressing rainbows
til each color is separated
melting nest
to dreams that are like
raisins in the sun
drying up because the
roots rejected them
But their presence
is known
When a hand
decides to care
Somewhere in My Head
By Khalen F.
Somewhere in my head,
I am afraid to speak out because of
how I might be judged
Somewhere in my head, when
I look in a magazine, I feel
insecure because I do not look like
my role model
Somewhere in my head
I remember being told not to give
my opinion because I’m a kid, and I
don’t matter
But somewhere in my head, I
also remember not to listen to these things
Because then I realize that I’m the one
telling myself these things
Somewhere in America
By Ella Y.
Somewhere in America
A toddler falls down
and cries because
he doesn’t know what’s happening.
Somewhere in America
a child gets teased
and he cries because
he doesn’t know what’s happening.
Somewhere in America
a girl is hit
and she cries because
she doesn’t know what’s happening.
Somewhere in America
a boy looses his lover
and he doesn’t cry because
he’s not supposed to.
Somewhere in America
a girl dies from anorexia
because she didn’t want to know
what was happening
Somewhere in Mexico
By Montse R., from Mexico
Somewhere in Mexico
kids are in the streets
selling things because
they don’t have education.
Somewhere in Mexico
kids can’t eat because
their parents don’t have
a work and money.
Somewhere in Mexico
are alcoholics because
they have many problems
and they think they can’t resolve them.
Somewhere in Mexico
are good persons
that help others with
their problems.
Somewhere in Mexico
are students that want to become doctors,
architects, fashionistas,
and they are working
hard to get it.
Somewhere in Mexico
By Jazmin, from Mexico
Somewhere in Mexico so many students are raped daily and the government doesn’t do something
They know who the students are but they don’t want to be in risk.
Somewhere in Mexico are a lot of people homeless but our president are wasting our money in his fancy stuff.
Somewhere in Mexico our families are daily living with the fear to go outside cause we will die and the government just go to the media to say just sorry