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Become a published author (or artist)! Launch Pad is a new online magazine publishing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, book reviews, and artwork by children ages 6-12. For upcoming issues, they are looking for creative works on:
  • The Ocean
  • Fairy Tales & Fantasy
  • Heroes
  • Mysteries
  • Sports/Summer Fun
  • Variety (any topic)
Check out their submission guidelines.
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The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

Reviewed by Leanne, age 13

I really did love this book.....but then again I love all the books I read. I'd give this book a big 2 thumbs up but if I had 10 other thumbs they'd be up as well because this really is a superb book. At first it took me a while to warm up to it but after a little bit it grew on me and I was busting for a second book.

I admire Thirrin for taking up the role as queen at just 14, but she did what she had to do and not to mention all the creatures she had to befriend....so brave and headstrong. It's nice to have a book that's set in the medieval times, it's interesting to see how they would have done stuff back then.

I don't know about all you people but I adored the Wolf-folk, they are just fine and dandy!

Well I hope there are others who share my passion for this book because all the people I know have never heard of it. I like the interest between Oskan and Thirrin, thats nice. Well thats all from me over and out!


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The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

Reviewed by Sophia, age 12

I really like The Cry of the Icemark because it's about a girl and she is a warrior princess. So she gets in all these adventures. It is a really nice book. The only thing I don't like about it is that the author mixed times and myths and stuff, such as you're in the medieval times and there is all this armour and swords but then here come these people and they have muskets. But otherwise it's a very good book. I hope you like it.


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The Freakout Zone by Jeff Edmond

Reviewed by Solomon, age 12

The Freakout Zone is a children’s sci-fi book. I found out about it because my tap dance teacher wrote it. Jeff is a great teacher who has a wonderful sense of humor. He surprised me when he wrote these five stories.

The stories are called: "Dust Bunnies," "The Key Gnome," "Animal Crackers," "Not Responsible," and "The Animist." Most of the stories don’t end happily, which is rare in a children’s book, and is one of the reasons why I like it so much.

I don’t have a favorite story, but my favorite part is in Dust Bunnies. The narrator talks about a twelve-year-old kid named Danny who loves to play video games, whose mother doesn’t understand him. “He was not obsessed, as she often accused him of being. He just wanted to play video games for the rest of his life.” Danny must use his skill to destroy all the dust bunnies that have invaded his room.

I would tell you the plot of the rest of these stories, but they’re so good I don’t want to spoil it for you.

“Now it’s time for YOU to enter... The Freakout Zone.”


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Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Reviewed by Jessica, age 13

Though the plot itself was quite original, (and by plot I mean the story, the characters, and the actual events that lead from point A, the first scene, to point B, the middle, to point C, the end) but the theme was quite unoriginal for the time. Kings, war, greed, murdur, witchcraft... big whoop, you know?

Many lines were brilliant in the play, the sort where you all of a sudden stop, and realise "Woah, that's AMAZING!" And the feeling increases tenfold after the lines have had a moment to really set in, and other characters have reacted.

I was quite disappointed with the overall play, however. It went on, and on, and on, and didn't seem to go anywhere. Maybe it's my own 13-year-old impatience, or my own naiveness as a young person, but in the middle I was thinking, "Come on, William, we both know there must be a plot around here somewhere..."

All in all, I'd say it's not one of William's best works, but not bad enough not to go see.


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