HCOS Student Corner
Review of Oryus
By Matthew Davies
Oryus has succeeded in becoming my favorite book! Craig Gordon has achieved a new way of revealing fantasy far greater than Eragon.
Gordon, in writing this book has shown young teens the power of God. The story starts with a young man Duncan, who spent his childhood years in a small town, living with the secrets his father had built into his life. One day upon the grassy hills of his town he meets an old, and clever man named Mahaylik. He gives Duncan a chance to pursue his destiny. Duncan accepts the quest to venture into the unknown world to find the answers to his questions. Through his adventures he travels through thick and thin, making new friends, as well as enemies. Duncan is ignorant to the one creator (God) and finds himself helpless at the feet of evil. However after many gruesome situations, Duncan realizes his sin and becomes a child of God. Now, with the eyes and strength of God Duncan fights and conquers his enemies, as well as finding answers and fulfilling his destiny as a king!
This book is filled with tearful, happy, and adventurous times, conveyed with a biblical worldview. I recommend this book to thirteen and older teens. I personally think this book has made me think that there is a fun and adventurous way to explain God. The only thing that might steal my heart from this book, is Craig Gordon’s next sequel!
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I CAN'T WRITE A POEM!
By Robert Deacon, grade 4
It’s too dark,
There’s no idea,
In my head.
I forgot my pillow,
I cannot write a poem.
I have an appointment with the bathroom,
I've got to read a book,
I cannot read a book today!
My shirt’s stuck on a hook!
Wait a minute,
Times up!
Thank you!
The clouds part and the sun breaks through!
In his journal entry, Robert said:
I think poetry is one of the best ways to express yourself - or to say something silly. As a poet, you have a creative license, but an author - other than Roald Dahl - using words like “the gobbling gazook”? That doesn't make sense! I think poetry can also be used as clues to a mystery, like an archaeological wonder.
Would you agree with him?
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Submitted by Sarah Trentalance, Grade 3, Kamloops, BC
A Night for Salvation
It was a cool Friday night, July 8, 2003. I was eight years old and I was going to a seniors’ games night at a chapel. As my two older sisters and I entered, I saw a lot of seniors playing games, eating, talking, and doing crafts.
An older woman named Charlotte invited me to play a game of Clue. Before we started, I read her the directions. After playing for a little while, I guessed it was Mr. Green with the knife in the kitchen. And I won.
Later that evening I looked around to see what I could do. I had already played games, talked to some older people, and I had done a couple of crafts… I made a paper fan and a hand tree. “So now, let’s go to the food table”, I said to myself.
On my way to the food table I saw a man sitting alone on a bench. He was not playing games, eating, talking, or doing a craft. He was just sitting there. Instead of going to the food table, I walked over to him. At first, I believe he didn’t recognize me. After five minutes, I said, “Hello, what is your name?”
He responded, “Frank William George.”
I said, “My name is Sarah Shirly Boris.”
Frank said, “I have two granddaughters named Sarah and Shirly. I also have a grandson named Boris.”
Then we talked about Jesus.
Frank asked me, “Why did Jesus die on the cross for my sin?”
I thought about it for a second. “Because Jesus loves you.”
Frank said, “I want to be a Christian.”
Then we said a simple prayer. That night, I felt comfort in my heart that Frank William George was a Christian.
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Language Arts: Write Your Own Psalm
By Destinee Trentalance, Grade 2, Kamloops, BC:
I Can Feel Your Love Shine
I can feel your love shine in my family
You pick me up when I fall down
You dry my tears when I am sad
You protect me when Satan is near
You comfort me when I’m afraid
You can take bad thoughts away.
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By Sarah Trentalance, Grade 3, Kamloops, BC:
When I
When I fall down, you lift me up,
When I cry, you dry my tears up,
When I get sick, you help me get well
When I am hurt, you heal me up,
When I am weak, you make me strong,
When I am stuck, you help me get unstuck
When I sin, you help me confess,
When I am mad, you make me happy,
Because you are awesome,
Because you are perfect,
Because you are great,
Because you are the best of the best. Amen.
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Congratulations Esther Heidner for being recognized as one of the winners of the Penticton Writing Contest! Read Esther winning story below:
Laura Brown and the City Sports Club
Chapter 1
One day, a girl named Laura moved in from the country. She loved sports, and in the country you could play anywhere you like. But here in New York City, there was no soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball court, or even a tennis court. Laura sighed as she packed out a box of posters from her favorite players. Then she set up her baseball trophies on top of her dresser. Soon the room was decorated with posters everywhere, where men and women were posing in the poster, with either a baseball bat in their hands or making a slam-dunk. Against the wall on the north side of the room sat her dresser, which was loaded with her baseball trophies and medals. On the west side of the room was her bed. Her sheets were decorated with tennis balls, and golf balls, and baseballs. Her pillow was matching. Beside her bed she had a shelf, which was loaded with sports equipment. Baseballs, bats, soccer balls, tennis racquets, helmets, you name it. And beside that was her dollhouse filled with Barbies and Barbie dresses, Barbie beds, and stuff like that. Across the room she had a desk, with her homework piled on top of it.
Now all she needed was to put this last poster on the wall, then she was done. Oh, but there was no room for that poster! Her new room was smaller because she lived in a skyscraper now, so Laura put the poster away. Laura flopped down on her bed. She sighed. Things wouldn’t be the same without her old friends Carrie and Alisa. They had played sports together everyday. Suddenly, Laura heard a mysterious knock on the door. Laura bolted up on her bed, opened the door, and gasped.
Chapter 2
It was her little brother, Joshua. “Josh, you know you’re not allowed in here!” Laura scolded softly. “Ya, but Dad’s taking us for a walk! And you’re coming with us!” Joshua smirked. He liked it when Laura was wrong and he was right.
“Come on kids”, Dad invited. They walked off. Down the elevator, walk five blocks, and come to a stop. Wait! Come to a stop? Yes. There, in the parking lot, stood a girl about Laura’s age, and a boy about Joshua’s age. They had dark skin. Suddenly, a beautiful woman came out. Laura’s Mother greeted her. A handsome young man came out. He greeted Laura’s Dad. “Hi!” The girl smiled nicely. “My name is Amanda. What’s yours?” “Laura!” Laura shyly told her. The girls went to play. Turns out that Amanda likes sports too! Amanda took Laura up to her apartment, and they went to Amanda’s room. It was decorated in posters, had a dresser with trophies on it, well, it looked a lot like Laura’s room. The girls played scrabble, then it was time for Laura to go home.
At home, Laura ate meatloaf with mashed potatoes. Laura loved meatloaf, especially with ketchup. Then, in bed, Laura thought about her new friend Amanda. Happily, she fell asleep.
The next day, Laura jumped out of bed, ran into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, combed her hair, washed her face, and got dressed. Then she ran into the kitchen, where a grilled cheese sandwich awaited her. Next, she went into the living room and asked her mother if she could go to Amanda’s house after school. “You may” Laura’s mother let her go.
Laura walked down the hallway, stopped at the elevator, and thought to herself “Too slow” so she walked to the stairs and slid down the banister. (Did I tell you Laura was a bit of a daredevil?). Laura said hello to the doorman and ran to the bus stop. She climbed on and rode away.
Shyly she walked into her new classroom. The teacher, Mrs. Macdonald, led her to a desk with two other girls. Laura sat down and looked around. Soon she realized that Amanda was not in her class. Laura became nervous. She didn’t know anyone in her new school except Amanda.
The desks were in an orderly position, all facing the teacher’s desk. To the left, there was a small window. To her right, she saw a gym schedule, and lots of posters. Behind her was a big Canadian flag and beside it was a big poster with the Canadian hymn. “Hi!” A small voice squeaked beside Laura, which made Laura jump. Laura looked beside her, and found one of he girls smiling at her. Laura smiled back and said hi too. “My name is Maya, and this is my twin sister Melanie.” Maya smiled. Laura looked at them. Now that they mentioned it, they did look alike. Only Maya had her curly blond hair tied into a ponytail, and Melanie had hers in braids. Laura told them her name and soon they were talking like old friends. After math and English, it was recess time. Laura took her cheese and crackers outside to eat and looked around. There was Amanda! Laura looked closer. Maya and Melanie were with her! Laura ran over. “You guys, you’re friends too?” “Of course we are. We play together all the time!” Melanie laughed. Suddenly, Amanda had an idea. “We should all be friends. Even better, we should make a club!” Everybody agreed on that. They decided because they all loved sports to make it a sports club. They called it “City Sports” or CS. This was going to be great.
Suddenly, Laura piped up. “If we’re a sports club, what sport can we play? I mean, we live in New York City.” “You’re right Laura.” Amanda agreed. So they went to the mayor. Taking the bus, they arrived at the town hall in twenty minutes. They asked to see the mayor. As the mayor met them, they explained their problem. “You know, you’re right girls. Not just you need sports, everybody needs some.” So he agreed to set aside a big field of grass for a soccer field. He also decided to make a sports center for gymnastics, tennis, basketball, and other sports you can play inside. Then he took a little bit of the soccer field and designed a baseball diamond. The girls went home happy. They celebrated with a big slice of pizza at Paula’s Pizza Paradise. “Yummy, this really is paradise!” Melanie teased. Everyone laughed.
Chapter 3
At home, Laura met up with Joshua, who was waiting for her at the elevator. “I want to watch TV!” He shouted so loud that Laura covered her ears. “Okay, you can watch TV.” Laura reasoned with him. “You watch with me!” Joshua smirked. Laura sighed but went up the elevator with him. He flipped on the TV. Soon Laura realized they were watching Backyardigans. Laura sighed and covered her ears as Tyrone and Uniqua started to dance and sing: “It’s racing day, it’s racing day, racing day, it’s racing day!”
After they were done, Laura went to her room to do some homework. She couldn’t concentrate because Joshua was watching Franklin. “Hey it’s Franklin” music blasted through the loudspeakers. The worst thing was, Joshua was singing along. (Did I tell you Josh is the worst singer on the planet?) Laura flopped onto her bed, and began reading a book. Didn’t work. She played barbies. Didn’t work. She played paddleball. Didn’t work. She gave up and went to the kitchen to get some cookies and milk. Joshua came in, wanting some cookies too. “Well, at least the TV is off.” Laura told herself handing Josh a plate of cookies.
Laura’s Dad came in. He took Joshua with him to the playground. Laura was alone in the apartment so she climbed up to the roof of the skyscraper and looked around her with her binoculars. This was relaxing for Laura. But she would rather play a game of soccer than relax. She would have to wait two more months. Well, at least she knew that she didn’t have to wait forever. Even though it seemed so.
Chapter 4
Two months passed. Laura and CS were thrilled to try out the new sports center. They met at the basketball court. “Now let’s play some sports! I don’t think I can live any longer without sports!” Laura shouted. So they played a game of soccer, and their moms signed them up for baseball. CS was the happiest club in the world.
“This is the start of a great time” Laura thought as Maya passed the ball to her. And Laura was right. After this, they did have many adventures together, from winning contests to solving mysteries. Be sure to read my next books. You’ll love them because this is just the beginning!