Here are writings from three kid-published books that St. Louis kids' authors Patricia and Fred McKissack thought were interesting. The books were published by kids at Reed Elementary School in Ladue.

For Young Saint Louis.com profiles of kids in three of the publishing teams, click here.

1. Leprechans: Take an adventure into the magical world of Leprechans:

One day in the country of Ireland
     There lived a little old grumpy man.
He had a wife names Lucky.
     She liked to drive a mini van.

He was one foot tall
     With eyes of gold.
He had greenish, brownish hair
     And was chubby and bold.

He and his wife, Lucky, a skinny old elf
     With long, red, stringy hair
Lived in a wee cottage
     And they were quite a pair.

One day as they were eating Lucky Charms,
     the cereal for leprechauns,
a golden key fell from the box.
     It was shaped like a pecan.

"Oh my," the grumpy man explained.
     What do we have here?"
"It's a golden key," said Lucky.
     "Let's find what it goes to, my dear."

Suddenly, the grumpy old man dropped the key.
     A map popped out of the key.
The map showed the land of Ireland.
     "Look! X marks the spot, see."

So they got in the mini van and set off.
     The old grumpy man tried to figure
out what marked the spot.
     And then magically a rainbow appeared.
They followed the rainbow and pulled in a lot.

They got out of the mini van
     And looked at the map and its X.
Dig, dig, dig they went,
     And suddenly heard a kling.
It was a pot of gold and a
     lifetime supply of Lucky Charms!
WHAT A WONDERFUL THING!

 

2. African American Entertainers:

ARTHUR MITCHELL
By Matthew Kastigar

Arthur Mitchell was pretty poor,
     but he won a school dancing award.
When he was thirteen, he tried out for the performing arts
     Of course, he got one of the leading parts.
Arthur studied classical ballet,
     he was always the star in every play.

BEVERLY JOHNSON
By Kelsey Saettele

Beverly Johnson was the best.
     She would always practice modeling and never rest.
She loved the life of fashion.
     Being a model was her passion.

BILL COSBY
By Johnny Nyugen

Bill Cosby was a comedy master.
     Each year, he won an Emmy award for best actor.
He earned a doctorate's degree in education.
     He swept away laughs from the whole nation.

CICLY TYSON
By Elizabeth Tamaren

Cicly Tyson is a well know actress
     on TV, stage and screen.
She was the best, because she practiced,
     and she wasn't afraid to be seen.

MARIAN ANDERSON
By Jessica Langsam

Marian Anderson was a star.
     Her career went very far.
She sang at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939.
     She was the best opera singer of her time.

MAYA ANGELOU
By Darrell Lofton

Maya Angelou did many things.
     She danced, she acted and she loved to sing.
She participated in the Civil Rights,
     But she didn't take part in any fight.

STEVIE WONDER
By Max MaGruder

Although Stevie Wonder was blind,
     In all things he was very kind.
Stevie knew he wanted to be a musician;
     His life was an adventurous mission.

 

3. Rebirth in America: the dairies of Jaen and Maria Mial

(These are only some of the entries from the diaries)

          January 1, 1980, New Years Day, by Jaen

Mama has given me a new diary. It was made right here in San Juan, Puerto Rico. With a vibrant green cover and a beaded Puerto Rican flag on the front, I think it will become my best friend. All of our familia is here for the holidays. Since our casa is very large, we have all our cousins staying with us. The whole familia is visiting, but there is one element missing. Aunt Josephine. Everyone loves her. She plays with the children and listens to our problems. Sadly though, no one has seen her since she moved to America. How I envy her! My sister misses her the most though, poor Maria. Must hurry! Uncle Fernando is cooking his famous arroz con pollo.

          January, 8, 1980, by Jaen

I thought "the three kings" would stop all the layoffs at the factory, but all they did was leave me a gift! But, because of the layoffs, Papa has lost his job! Many people around here have lost their jobs and have gone to America to find employment. What if we move to America? How eager I am to find out!!!

          January 17, 1980, by Jaen

Mama and Papa are ill! They are so sick that people from the government are here with a doctor. They say that Papa has it much worse than Mama and will surely die! As if that is not bad enough, they are to take Mama to Miami, in America, to see a real, practiced doctor. Marie and I are to go to an orphanage. Maria is very upset. Who can blame her?! The worst part is that no one will tell me what is wrong with my parents! I must stop now. I'm too exhausted and sorrowful to write any more.

          January 23, 1980, by Jaen

Today, I can only find comfort in these pages. Papa is dead! I've been so busy tending to Papa and Mama and taking care of Maria. Tomorrow, we leave for the orphanage. Everyone says that there, there's no " Day of the Three Kings," and all they feed you are beans and rice! I try not to cry, but I just can't get myself to hold back tears. Despite the fact that Mama feels much better, the government is still sending her to Miami. How I despise them! I'll find a way to get to America, no matter what!!!

          February 2, 1980, by Maria

Jaen has a plan! He has heard that on the 5th of February, there is a ship leaving for Miami. He shall dress as a sailor and make me a fake ticket. Oh, Mama. Should I sneak onto the ship with him, or wait here for you?!

Thirteen years later....

          January 1, 1993, by Jaen

This will be my last entry in this diary. I wanted to tell you the end. Maria and I found Mama 5 years ago. I am now married and have a one-year-old son. I'm on my third year of law school. We never did find out how Papa died, but, because of that, Maria wants to be a doctor. At 19, she's already on her first year of medical school. Aunt Josephine went back to Puerto Rico to be with Kasandra. I have a feeling that everything turned out right after all.