"Sweet Baby James"
This selection can be found in Teen Ink Friendsand Family, the third in the Teen Ink book series, all available inbookstores nationwide and online. Continue...
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A Seductive Night
The atmosphere was nearingfestive. The large, second-story Greek restaurant was filled withmiddle-aged bald guys and a birthday support group for an attractivecollege girl.
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Deep Spirals
A casual encounter caused me to re-evaluate how I goabout my life. It was one of those perfect autumn days, and my motherand I had decided to go to a Renaissance fair.
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Destination: Somewhere
Whenpeople are asked to describe a significant place, a natural reaction isto recall family trips or to explore an atlas of the world, pagingthrough the countries.
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Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane? No, it's my brothers.
"Go get my keys." "Find mea pen." "Answer the phone." "Loan me twobucks." "Where are my shoes?"
This is what mylife as a little sister is like.
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Looking Back
I was15 years old, finally! Not sure what the day would bring, I rolled outof bed with more enthusiasm than usual to prepare for school - and mybirthday party. I floated through my classes and let my mind ponder thepossibilities of birthday surprises.
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Mother
The moon hushed me tosleep last night
and the rustling wind sang me a song.
Just likemy mom used to do
when I still felt okay calling herMommy.
Covered her in kisses.
Covered her in hugs.
When I stilllet her do my hair
and tie my shoelaces in a double knot.
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My Baroque Nemesis
Things did not look promising. My dad had just beenlaid off, and though my mom tried hard to make ends meet, money wasscarce.
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My Family
It's 4 p.m. The sound ofthe slamming door indicates my father's home from work. Within 30minutes the remaining four members of my family come home and the soundof the door becomes a wailing siren warning me of their imminentapproach.
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Nets
Thetrip to the hospital takes 15 minutes, 20 if the roads are cop-infested,which they usually are.
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Not in Kansas Anymore
Thesun beat down on my dirty, shirtless body as I walked the mile to theshowers. My feet ached from the previous night's action. I finallyreached the sprinkler tent
and, not surprisingly, it was full.
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Picking up the Pieces
My heartwas breaking. She lifted my head with great love. "Don't be so sadbe-cause of something so small," my sister said. She said everyword cheerfully, though I could tell from the quiver of her bottom lipshe was hiding sadness.
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Raspberries
This selection can be found in Teen Ink: Written in theDirt, the sixth in the Teen Ink book series, comprised all of fiction andpoetry. All six books are available in bookstores nationwide and online.
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Red Shoes and Dapper Suits
Itwas late when the phone call came, close to 2:30 in the morning. We'dbeen expecting it, but not that late. We just figured my grandfather'soperation had gone fine.
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Role Reversal
Two yearsago, my mom decided she wanted a better job. She considered her optionsand finally decided to take classes. Now she is near completing hereducation for the second time in her life, and is still struggling tofind time to just live.
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The Balcony
This selection can be found in Teen Ink Friendsand Family, the third in the Teen Ink book series, all available inbookstores nationwide and online. Continue...
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The Barn
It was a beautiful spring day, thefirst after a long, desolate winter. The sun shone through the windowsof my prison, and a cool breeze ruffled the papers on my desk.
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The Old Apple Tree
At the beginning ofsummer when the orchard was in bloom, where would you find all the kids?We would all be around the old apple tree at the front of the orchard.
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