On November 12 at 7:00, come to the main library to meet the authors (they're brother and sister) of the YA fantasy Another Faust. Dina Nayeri Viergutz and Daniel Nayeri will be there to talk about their book and answer your questions. There is also going to be refreshments, copies of the book for sale, and prizes.

We are planning to do a follow-up book review and report on this event. Check it out!

Hey People!

Hello people of CMS and beyond!
We would love for all of you to become follows to this Lit Mag and check this out! Hope you all enjoy it!

Labels- an Editorial Opinion by Meg Y.

Uggggg. When will the twisted hierarchy of middle school end? When does it make sense that the cool kids are just the ones who wear Abercrombie and Hollister? And are thinner than a line drawn by their Tri-conderoga pencil because the standard #2 isn’t cool enough for them anymore. Never. That will never make sense. But then why does it happen? Is being “cool” that important anyway? Do you really want to be that way? Not me. And if you are one of those people, do you really like it? It is happening with boys too- I watch it as I walk down the halls every day. You walk around as the billboards you have become, advertising with every article of clothing you put on. I’ve heard every excuse for that ever invented, so don’t tell me “they're comfortable”, “they're just clothes” or “they were gifts”. Maybe that is true for some, but I have found great clothes at stores that don’t use people to market for them. This article may sound cliche. Just like in a book you’ve read. You think those stores are your style, but they’re not. And you know what, those people most likely wouldn’t read something like this anyway, so why should I write it? But I’ll finish it, because that’s happens to be my style.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins- A Book Review by Isabel F.

Warning: The Hunger Games spoilers alert!
In this rousing sequel to The Hunger Games, last year’s young adult blockbuster, Suzanne Collins crafts a gripping page-turner that continues the action-packed story of Katniss Everdeen, champion of a televised fight-to-the-death between teenage gladiators. Now that Katniss and her partner Peeta have returned from their ghastly ordeal to their Home District 12, their lives should be peaceful in the illustrious Victors’ Village. But the Capitol, the menacing government that controls Panem, is out to get Katniss for her rebellious act of defiance in the arena. President Snow threateningly instructs Katniss, while on their Victory tour, to convince the citizens of Panem her actions were all for her “true love,” Peeta. Snow is afraid of a revolt, and Katniss and her mockingjay bird emblem are now the chief symbols of defiance against the Capitol. But how can she possibly manage this when she and Peeta are barely speaking since he realized that Gale, Katniss’ childhood friend and hunting partner, is still in the picture. After the Victors’ tour has concluded, Katniss realizes she has failed to quell the brewing rebellion in the Districts, and the Capitol blames her. Meanwhile, the Seventy-Fifth Hunger Games are impending. Every twenty-fifth year the Hunger Game calls for a Quarter Quell, a special change in the Hunger Games rules. Katniss must enter the arena again. Is revolution truly rising? Will Katniss survive her second round of doom? What will happen?

Scat by Carl Hiassen- a book review by Sam W.

We all know Carl Hiaasen for writing the popular books Hoot and Flush, both exciting wildlife adventures. In Scat, Hiaasen whipped up a good book that plunges the main characters, Nick and Marta, into overlapping mysteries.

It all starts with an epic classroom showdown of the most feared teacher in the school, Ms. Starch, against a juvenile delinquent, “Smoke” (otherwise known as Duane Scrod, Jr.). The next day, on a field trip, Ms. Starch mysteriously disappears. Everyone knows Smoke has something to do with the disappearance, but no one knows what really happened that day at Black Vine Swamp.

Nick and Marta smell something fishy, or should I say, smoky, and are ready to investigate anywhere. But the two friends are in over their heads in a mystery bigger than they expected, and they’ll have to find all of their strength to save Black Vine Swamp and everything in it.

Scat is a great book about wildlife, expecting the unexpected, and not judging books by their covers. Carl Hiaasen has created another awesome novel that will keep readers intrigued until the end.

A New Sixth Grader's View on Middle School by Helen W.

My new school, Sanborn, is very flat, compared to Thoreau, where I went to elementary school. I’m used to lots of stairs and elevators, and seeing all the little kids file by and ask their teachers, “How long until I get to be in chorus?” It’s going to be interesting, being the little kid again, and asking, “When do I get to go to DC?” but it’s not like elementary school, where you haven’t been in real school before and you don’t know anyone yet.

There are lots of new people to meet in middle school, and you still have some of your friends from 5^th grade at the same school as you. You also get to take new classes, like World Languages, and band, which I will be taking next year, is more serious than in elementary school. My mom and I just went shopping for binders and such, and it’s kind of disturbing how much stuff you need for middle school! The thing that drives me crazy is that the busses come an hour earlier. Also, in elementary school, I was almost the last stop, but this year, I’m somewhere in the middle and therefore I have to get up earlier.

I didn’t really like the summer reading book for 6^th graders, Journey to Jo’burg. It was very fast-moving, so one chapter the characters are walking on the road to Jo’burg and the next, they’re riding on a bus in the city itself. I think it would have been considerably better if the author had added maybe 100 pages to it or if they gave it some more detail, like having something happen kind of like the orange farm happen before they get picked up by the truck, and then, maybe they could participate in a protest march or something? It would make it a lot more interesting and fun to read! I don’t get why the schools picked this book to be the book that everyone has to read. It’s out of print, and so very hard to get a hold of. I talked to a librarian at the Fowler library when I was trying to get hold of a copy, and she said that all the copies in the Minuteman Library network were all checked out, and since it’s and out of print book you’d probably have more trouble trying to buy it.

All in all, I’m really looking forward to middle school! I can’t wait to go and try everything that you couldn’t do in elementary school!

Sports Dedication by Meg Y.

Most kids at CMS play a sport. But how do they stay healthy, keep their social life, and keep their grades up with it all going on? Here are some tips to keep you ready for anything that may come your way while in the zone.

1. Over- Working

Don't overwork yourself and train so much that you can't move. Feel comfortable with what you do but don't stop giving it your all. If a friend brags that they practice eight hours a week, and you practice five, don't try to make the leap and kill yourself in the process. Maybe add half an hour and work your way up. And if someone else can do a lot of practice and games and keep up with their school work, good for them. But if you can't, remember that grades come first. Chances of you becoming a professional athlete are slim, so grades are a part of your future too.

2. Free Time

Everyone wants some time to just chill or hang out with a friend, but with activities including homework, sports games and practices, and maybe an instrument, some kids just don't have the time. Try and keep areas of your schedule clear, in case you need to relax or by a birthday gift. If you are beginning to slack off with homework, remember that you need time to do it too.

3. Sleep

Huh, that thing we call SLEEP is important right? So if you are a hardcore player, you need even more than others, not less. Staying up late does not count as a smart thing to do. Homework should not be done at eleven thirty. Everyone needs at least eight hours of sleep a night, cause sleeping in the pool, on the field, or in the classroom (Oops!) is not going to make your teacher or coach very happy. So remember that sleeping is GOOD, not a waste of time.

4. Staying healthy

When you sprain an ankle, you can tell you aren't healthy enough to play, but when you are sick with a fever, many kids will just get out there and do it. Not a good decision. Just because you are healthy on the outside, remember that what’s on the inside that counts, so keep healthy. When you’re sick, going to practice and games will only one, make you feel worse, and two, get everyone else sick. Repeatedly touching the basketball and coughing in your hands is not sanitary, so please, keep it clean.

5. Eating Right

Junk food. We all love it, and know how bad it is for us. I'm not saying banish it to the basement, I'm saying MODERATION. Stuffing yourself with sugar cereal before a game is not healthy. Try a smoothie, whole grain cereal, oatmeal, bananas and yogurt. Anything with protein and carbohydrates to keep you going in the game, race, at school. Whenever it is, just eat right. Oh wait one last thing about food, Sports drinks. Things like Gatorade and PowerAde don't aid you that much. They have important electrolytes, but are full of hard to digest sugars. Though you thing vitamin water is ok, it may not be. It too has lots of sugars. In all, water is the best choice of drink, but if you need an extra boost, try Ultima, a powered drink with little sugars and great taste, plus, less waste from multiple disposable bottles. You just add it into your reusable bottle.

I hope this has given you some insight on how to live right and stay in the game.

"Mamma Mia" Review by Julie N.

Hey! I'm Julie N. I went on vacation to NYC over last April Break- yay! I saw the Broadway show “Mamma Mia” and reviewed it by 5 categories; Humor, Dancing, Singing, Acting, and Costumes & Scenery. Enjoy!

• HUMOR
• GRADE: B/B-
• EXPLANATION: Some Jokes were said with the wrong personality, left people slightly confused whether to laugh or not. Although, at least half were delivered wonderfully, and were laugh out loud funny.
• DANCING
• GRADE: A
• EXPLANATION: All dancers were perfectly synchronized with the music and each other, which made the audience want to get up on their feet and move. It was very upbeat and quick.
• SINGING
• GRADE: A-
• EXPLANATION: All actors and actresses were very carefully chosen. The harmonies were wonderful and each dancer and background singer had amazing voices. The lead, playing Sophie, was very talented and could sing without music or backup vocals just as well.
• COSTUMES AND SCENERY
• GRADE B/B+
• EXPLANATION: Most costumes really brought out the character. On the other hand, in one scene, all dancers were wearing flashy clothing while two or three were wearing more country-ish styles, which weren’t part of the story. This didn’t make much sense. The lighting was used very thoughtfully to create mood.
• ACTING
• GRADE A+
• EXPLANATION: Phenomenal acting. Sophie was astounding and put in all of her emotion, as all others did. With one of the leads who played Sky, being an understudy, acted his heart out on stage, as all cast members did. <><>

London Calling Book Review by Isabel F.

The critically acclaimed author of Tangerine, Edward Bloor, is back with another heartfelt mystery. This time Bloor delves into the spiritual world with the fascinating and twisty story of Martin, a miserable boy with a torn family, who attends a torturous prep school. He is content to spend eternity in the basement. But after inheriting an old cathedral radio from his newly passed and supposedly nutty Nana (whom he has always felt a “mystical” connection with), Martin starts to have realistic-incredibly realistic-dreams. These dreams (nightmares? reveries?) feature him traveling back to 1940 London, during Germany’s constant war bombing. He gets to know a boy named Jimmy, who is constantly pleading with Martin to “do his bit”. What does this mean? Why is Martin having these hallucinations? Are they hallucinations? Why now? To find the answer, read London Calling, an electrifying “history mystery” that is very tough to put down. <><>

The Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce! By Julia N.

Melt in saucepan:

• 1 stick butter
• 1 square baking chocolate

Keep over low flame till smooth, and then add:

• ¼ cup of cocoa
• ¾ cup of sugar
• ½ cup of milk (or thin cream or evaporated can milk.)

Bring to boiling point, then remove from heat and add:

• pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (it thickens as it heats up.) <><>

Movie Reviews by Hannah T.

There are many great new movies out these days. There are several Disney films and others that are huge hits with an audience for kids in middle school and high school. A great Disney film that hit theatres April 10^th was the Hannah Montana Movie starring Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lucas Till, Emily Osment, Jason Earles, and many other familiar actors and actresses. This movie is a wonderful PG rated comedy based on the hit T.V. series, Hannah Montana, where Miley Stewart heads home to Tennessee against her will. She struggles with her double life and now she must choose one, Hannah or Miley. Along the way she finds herself caught in romance, and some very sticky situations. This is a great movie for kids of all ages.

If you like romance, comedy and Zac Efron, then you should see 17 Again. It hit theatres April 17^th and got great reviews. This movie is rated PG-13 and stars Zac Efron, Sterling Knight, Hunter Parrish, Matthew Perry, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Leslie Mann. Matthew Perry plays Mike O’Donnell who is an adult who doesn’t have a very good life, he is divorcing his wife, and his kids (Michelle Trachtenberg and Sterling Knight) don’t trust him. He was a star in high school and wishes he could go back to the glory days, and his wish comes true. Zac Efron then plays Mike O’Donnell as a teen and goes back to high school with the help of his best friend Ned Gold (Thomas Lennon). He helps his kids and himself while becoming closer to his family. 17 Again is a great flick and is very funny.

Animation has gone up and overboard with Monsters vs. Aliens 3D. This movie is about a girl named Susan (voice of Reese Witherspoon) who is hit by a meteorite on her wedding, turned into a giant woman, and then joined with a group of monsters that have been gathered by the government over the years. The group is then rounded up to fight off aliens and save the world from imminent destruction. This animated film features the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, and many more.

A good thriller movie out right now is Knowing. In this action film, a teacher opens up a time capsule that had been dug up at his son’s elementary school. In it are some predictions of bad events-earthquakes, crashes, events where a large amount of people died-some that have already occurred, some that will in the future, which lead him to believe his family plays a role in the events that are about to unfold. It’s a great film directed by Alex Proyas, rated PG-13 starring Nicolas Cage, Chandler Canterbury, Rose Byrne, D.J. Maloney, Lara Robinson, and others. Catch all these great films in theatres now! <><>

Adam Lambert: Best Singer Ever! Article by Emma B.

This year, every single contestant on American Idol has amazing talent. However, one performer in particular seems to stand out from the rest of the bunch. His name is Adam Lambert. Not only does he have an amazing range and an unbelievable falsetto, he has stage presence. Since he has been doing musical theatre almost all of his life, Adam doesn’t just sing the songs, he performs them. He also adds diversity. Some contestants just keep singing the same types of songs, and although that can show artistry, it can be boring as well. On Motown week, Adam did a spectacular performance of “Tracks of my Tears” by Smokey Robinson, which is a very soft and high song and Adam made it even more so. On the other hand, on cinema week, he did a song called “Born to be Wild” which basically explains itself as being a crazy punk-ish song, which fits him very well. Although every contestant on American Idol is fantastic, Adam Lambert certainly has a major chance at winning this competition. <><>