Flash Fiction Winner Mazerick Hullinger - 7th grade

The Wasteland

"Nothing is as painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change."


- Unknown

The person who said that had no idea how right they were. It all started in 2083 when a 36-year-old woman, known as genie, (French for genius) created something revolutionary. She created terraforming robots that were capable of taking a mountainside and transforming it into an exact replica of Mount Rushmore, and fast. She sent these nanobots out to create abundant farms in lands of poverty. They created lakes in places of drought, literally overnight.

Little did she know, she had created a virus. The robots were created with mercury which was a huge mistake on génie's part. This mercury infected the fluids that made the farms functional. It created a new type of disease. once you have the disease you wouldn't notice until it was too late. It was so undetectable that you could drop dead immediately after or several days later and never know you had this wretched disease.


almost everyone in the world was infected. The world discovered this the next year. The world dropped into the apocalypse. Most of the world died off, leaving 200 people alive. These people were forced to find each other and fix the ecosystem. Only 15 survived this journey to meet in a small town known as Legitown in North North America (Canada).


These people had to find a way to stop the robots. They split into three groups that would look for and destroy the robots, group beta, alpha and, omega. The strongest, man Buford led omega, the smartest man Balijeet, led beta, and the fastest woman, Isabella, led alpha.


Alpha


"Do you think we are actually gonna find anything out here," said Chris.


"There has to be something out here," said Isabella.


"Yeah Chris, those spooky magic robots have to be somewhere," said Alex.


"Is that really what we are calling them now," asked Jake.


"Definitely not," replied Chris and Lacey at the same time.


"If we don't find anything I hope the other groups do, because if they don't, we're all gonna die of starvation," said Chris.


"...Way to lighten the mood Chris!" said Alex.




Beta


"Man, this place is messed up," said Chase.


"I am not entirely sure what you expected Chase, but yeah, pretty messed up," said Emma.


"What are we looking for again," Asked Brody.


"You've got to be kidding me," Said Balijeet.


"Nope!" replied Brody.


"We are looking for robots that killed all of our friends and family," said Zane.


"Ooooooooooooooooooh thanks for reminding me!" said Brody. "It would be nice to find them."


"My gosh, when we find these robots, you two are gonna be the offering," said Morgan.




Omega


"You think these things will be sentient," Asked Brock.


"What's a sentient," Asked Buford. "Nevermind,"


"What are we gonna do when we find these things, just try to kill them as fast as possible? Or are we gonna try and fix them," Said Kim.


"Kill," said Buford.


"Guys, we found something," Yelled Johnny and Mike.


Everybody ran to them to find a field filled with metallic bees nurturing the field with a strange liquid.


"This has to be them," said Brock.


"What are we gonna d-," Johnny was cut off by the sound of Buford shooting all of the robots dead.


"me kill evil bugs," said Buford.


"I suppose that answers that." Said Johnny.


When the three regrouped later that day at Leitown, the alpha team announced that they had killed the "evil bugs". So they had won, they were able to start rebuilding civilization. By 3000 the entire world was repopulated and doing well. It was no longer a wasteland.


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Minor formatting. Story appears as submitted by the author, unedited.

Flash Fiction Winner Katie Barnes - 10th grade

"Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change." That's the quote I see

everyday, at five o'clock. Out of all the posters in the room, that's the one I always notice. Maybe it's because it's big and bright, or maybe it's because it's the only one on the wall I face. But I know it's because it reminds me of her. The flowers, the colors, the stripes, all of her favorite things.


Often I find myself looking at the poster instead of looking at my therapist, Mrs. Sammons. It's easier to think of the happy memories I had with my mom before she passed away, instead of talking to someone I barely know about her. Most of the time I can't even answer Mrs. Sammons's questions, not because I don't pay attention to her, but because the questions are too hard to answer. She's tried to get me to open up, and I know it's what my dad wants me to do, but it's just too hard.


"Sydney? Sydney? Are you listening?" Mrs. Sammons asks, smiling my way.


"Uh, yeah, sorry." I whisper, looking down.


"So do you want to talk about how things are going at home, you know, without your mom?" She sympathetically adds.


"No." I answer too quickly.


"Ok, that's fine. You take your time, I know this is hard, but it will get easier. Anyway, it's six now if you think you are done for the day."


"Yes. I'm done." I stand up and leave, not looking back.


I decide not to text my dad to pick me up, because he's going to ask me how it went, like he always does, but today I especially don't feel like dealing with him, not now at least. So, I walk home. It's good to clear my mind. When I get home, I hurry inside, passing by my dad's office and escaping to my room upstairs. I lock the door, which my dad hates me doing, but I really don't care.


I sit on my bed and stare at the wall. Bad choice. The wall has a bulletin board on it with pictures of what I refer to as my "past life," the life before my mom died. After she dies my life completely changed. I quit all my extra curricular activities, cut out my friends, and ignored my dad. Now I lay down and cry. I miss my old life. My sports. My clubs. My friends. My mom.


Five o'clock. I dread it everyday. It comes too soon, even though my day seems to drag on. So I make my way, once again, to Mrs. Sammons's office my 473rd day of therapy. She welcomes me with a smile as always, and ask me about my day, I shrug.


"So, Sydney," she pauses, "do you want to talk about your depression?"


My head bolts up to look her in the eyes, no one has ever called me depressed before. My mom was depressed and I never want to be like her. I never want to make people feel like the way she's made me feel.


"I'm not..." my voice trails off, maybe I am depressed...


"I'm so sorry, Sydney," she hurries to correct herself, "I shouldn't have said that. I apologize."


She knows. And yet she still talks about everything like it never happened and I should be ok. I'm not ok. I don't think I ever will be. I never got to say goodbye to my mom because her life was apparently so bad, she decided to end it. I went to sleep with her there, and woke up with her gone. I'll never forget the police showing up at my house, telling my dad they found my mom's car by an abandoned bridge, a note taped to the wheel. My dad lost it, obviously, but somehow he's managed to get better, and he wants me to as well. It's not working.


"I'm done." I say standing up.


"Sydney, it's only 5:30."


"I don't care, I'm done." I begin walking out of the room.


"Sydney..." She tries again, but I'm already out the door.


I make it home and my dad is standing in the kitchen, obviously waiting for me. He looks upset. I brace myself for whatever comes next.


"Syd, sit down, we need to talk." He pulls out a chair for me, I sit down.


"Sydney I just got a call from Mrs. Sammons. She told me that you're having a hard time opening up. It's been over a year since you started meeting with her, and she says you haven't made much progress. Can you try a little harder to open up?"


"Are you kidding me?" I ask.


"I just think you're not..." He begins.


"I'm sorry mom's death is harder on me than it was on you. I know it's been easy for you to forget about her, but there isn't a second that goes by that I'm not thinking about her!" I yell, tears pouring down my cheeks.


"Sydney..."


"Don't talk to me," I scream as I run upstairs, lock my door, and curl up on my bed, crying harder than I have in a long time.


My dad doesn't check to make sure I'm up before he goes to work, so I stay home from school. I would've done it anyway, but not seeing him made it easier. I stay in bed for a long time, staring at the ceiling, wanting to cry again but having no tears left. I finally manage to force myself to go downstairs to eat, but I'm not hungry. I try to watch T.V., but I can't pay attention. I'm about ready to go back to bed when the doorbell rings. I ignore it, but it rings three more times, so I decide I should answer it. I open the door and my heart stops.


"Sydney?" My mom smiles at me, but I don't smile back.


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Minor formatting. Story appears as submitted by the author, unedited.

Flash Fiction Winner Macenzie McManis - 7th grade

Bittersweet Melancholy

Mary Shelley once wrote, "Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change." Before all of this, I would have disagreed, how bad can change be? It's often good for you. Let me answer that, change can ruin everything. It will change the way you think, how you learn, and the person you'll be. It all rides on change. You don't stay the same forever do you? After being turned upside-down, my view on life have changed greatly. I'm Levi, and this is my story.

One dry, winter day, the sun shone through the leafless trees, my gaze traveled along the lines in the rough bark, mentally tracing them. My vision turned back to my small house where my mother lived. I began to sprint up the stone steps, my shoes making satisfying thumps. The glass front door suddenly opens, the glare of the sun hitting my eyes before disappearing. My mother stood in the doorway.

"Get inside, Levi! You're going to catch a cold!" I was going to have far more worries than that, soon.


I reached the door, my rosy fingers gingerly touched the freezing glass as I quickly closed the door behind me. The warmth of the house making my fingers numb. Smiling, I smelled the familiar scent of coffee. We're big coffee drinkers, even if it's bad for your teeth. I quickly ran to my room, dropping off my backpack, before rushing back into our grey and white themed kitchen to grab an apple. Walking into the living room munching on my red fruit, I spotted my mother sitting on the khaki couch.


"I have something to tell you at dinner, so don't run off," Mother stated solemnly. My heart felt as if it sunk into my chest, dread running through my system. I nodded, sitting on the couch, finishing my apple as I watched the news blatantly.


After a while, I spoke, "Is the news good? Or bad?"


"Depends on how you take it."


I sighed, she hadn't given me any clues to what the news was, it angered me.


I returned to the kitchen, throwing away the core of my apple, the slightly yellowing inside disappearing into the black trash can. I sauntered into my room, relenting the fact that I had homework. Zipping open my backpack, I swiftly retrieved it. Picking up a pencil from the inside of my desk, I began working.


Sometime later, I finished my homework, shoving the papers inside my bag. With the smell of cooking food, I quickly darted through the hallway into the kitchen, tripping on the floor.


"What's for dinner?" I asked, my nose twitched due to the steam that rose out of a pot on the stove.


"Just simple macaroni and cheese, I'm making it the way you like it, extra cheese and milk," she answered.


"Nice," I smiled, watching as she poured noodles into the pot. I turned away, not particularly interested, turning to the living room. I sat on the couch, jumping at the coolness, and reached my hand down the arm, groping around for the box my electronics reside in. My hand hit it, and I quickly pulled it upwards. I peered inside, box sitting on my lap. Pulling out my DS, IC replaced the box. I mashed the buttons as I attempted to beat a boss that I've been at.


I heard footsteps, "Supper's ready!"


"Coming!" I shut off my game, replacing it. I rushed to the kitchen, stomach growling.


I pulled out a wooden chair from the table, seating myself and watched as she placed a bowl in front of me. I have to wait for it to cool, as not to burn my tongue, but the smell urged me to take a bite. I hungrily lifted a forkful into my mouth, flinching at the burning feeling. I dropped the fork, gingerly chewing the noodles in my mouth, grimacing.


Mother sat down in front of me, smiling, the laughter in her eyes at the sight of my face. I awaited for the news that she was to tell.


Finally, after some forkfuls of the moderately warm noodles, Mother spoke, "So...I was offered a new job," she started, "It's in Michigan."


My thoughts ran wild, "Are you going to take it?"


"Well..." she started, and I knew our fate, "I think I am."


I comically stopped eating halfway to my mouth, "But Michigan is states away. I'll have to move schools..."


"But," Mother interrupted, "We will have a bigger house, and this new school has better academics."


She attempted to continue, but I ran off into my room, shutting the door. It took me so long to get used to the kids here and now we were moving? It took me at least four years before I found my best friend Toby. I was going to have to say goodbye. There would be no more after school football practice or laughing because somebody didn't do their homework. Everything would be different. I'd be the 'new kid' again. This changes everything.


Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, seeing Mother still sitting at the kitchen table, and I sat down, "When?"


She looked at me, "What?"


"When are we moving?" I repeated.


Mother gave me a surprised smile, "I was hoping sometime next month, I've already arranged things."


I took a breath, not enough time. Even if she could give me a year, it would not be enough time. It wouldn't ever be enough time.


"Okay," another breath, "I'll arrange goodbyes."


"Oh! I'm planning to have a going away party, you could invite anyone."


I gave her a sad smile, feelings conflicting inside of me. This was truly sad news, but through the melancholy of leaving home, my mother is letting me have a bittersweet ending. I should feel lucky, as not everyone even gets a bittersweet ending, but I can't feel gratitude. Not right now.


Not everyone beats that boss in their video game.

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Minor formatting. Story appears as submitted by the author, unedited.

Talk About Fall

In this week's edition, some of our YA patrons describe what they love best about autumn!

Isiah Sarille
My grandmother and I making pumpkin rolls, chilly weather (and getting warm), dressing up like Harley Quinn for Halloween, watching scary movies (with popcorn).

Sara Boyer
Crunchy leaves, pumpkin everything, Thanksgiving, fall colors.

Braden Unruh
One of the things I like about fall is that, in that time (mostly October), there is one of the four Great Gatherings...as I like to call them. The Gatherings are as follows: Easter, Halloween, my birthday, and Christmas. October is great because Halloween is a time of the year when family gathers to just have fun. Another thing I like about fall is the weather getting colder, and things seeming to slow down.

Hannah Wright
What I like about autumn is that it is not so hot out anymore. And I enjoy being able to see the leaves changing into their many different colors. It's also a time when we can start drinking hot chocolate without worrying about being too hot afterwards. When it rains I can hear the drops landing on the fallen leaves, and I can watch the rain as it falls.

Sarah Stine
There are many things about fall that I enjoy. One is the cooler "sweater weather." Halloween is an overall big part of my love for this season. Two classics about fall include the leaves changing colors and falling from the trees. It's so pretty! One of the final things I love about this time of the year, another classic, is apple cider.

Skyler Stine
The one thing I like about fall is the beautiful trees and the cool weather. Another is that I can be with my friends and play basketball and other sports. I love to scoop pumpkin guts out of the pumpkin. I also love Thanksgiving.

Frankenstein Discussion

Community Book Chat 

5:00 to 5:45 p.m.

If you haven't already (there's still time!), pick up a copy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at the Adult Desk. The books are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be yours to keep, thanks to a grant from the Indiana Humanities! After reading the book, join us for a community discussion guided by Library Director Chris Scandling.

Guest Speaker

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Kyoko Takanshi, associate professor of English at IUSB, will discuss "What Frankenstein Read: Lessons on Education from Mary Shelley's Classic Novel." Takanshi specializes in 18th and 19th century British literature with a focus on the history of the novel. She has been teaching at IUSB since 2011. The community is invited to hear Takanashi's insights into this interesting topic.

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This program is made possible through a Community Read grant from Indiana Humanities. One State / One Story: Frankenstein is an initiative designed by Indiana Humanities in partnership with the Indiana State Library and Indiana Center for the Book.

The Monster Lives

You've finished Mary Shelley's masterpiece in plenty of time for BPL's Community Forum (October 30), now what? Celebrate by checking out the following collection of Frankenstein inspired works -

Hideous Love: The Story of the Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein by Stephanie Hemphill

In this free-verse novel, Hemphill tracks Mary's turbulent young life, including her relationship with poet Percy Shelley and their travels across Europe.

Mary's Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge

Drawn from Mary's painstaking journals, Judge's book spotlights the circumstances that inspired the unforgettable creature. More than 300 illustrations accompany this selection.

Cadaver and Queen by Alisa Kwitney

When Elizabeth enrolled at Ingold as its first female medical student, she knew she wouldn't have an easy time. From class demands to being an outsider among her male cohorts, she'll have to go above and beyond. So when she stumbles across what appears to be a faulty Bio-Mechanical, she jumps at the chance to fix it and get ahead in the program. Only this Bio-Mechanical isn't like the others. Soon Elizabeth realizes that it's Victor Frankenstein, a former student who died under mysterious circumstances.



Henry Franks by Peter Adam Salomon

While a serial killer stalks his small Georgia town, sixteen-year-old Henry tries to find the truth about the terrible accident that robbed him of his mother and his memories.

Man Made Boy by Jon Skovron

Tired of being sheltered from humans, seventeen-year-old Boy, son of Frankenstein's monster and the Bride of Frankenstein, runs away from home and embarks on a wild road trip that takes him across the country and deep into the heart of America.

Mister Creecher by Chris Priestly

In 1918 London, fifteen-year-old Billy, a pickpocket, meets Mr. Creecher, a monstrous giant. Their relationship turns from convenience to a strong bond as they journey northwards on the trail of Victor Frankenstein.

Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin

Nell Crane has never held a boy's hand. In a city devastated by an epidemic, where survivors are all missing parts, Nell has always been an outsider. Her father is the famed scientist who created the biomechanical limbs that everyone now uses. But she's the only one with her machinery on the inside: her heart.

Teen Frankenstein by Chandler Baker

When science prodigy Tor Frankenstein accidentally kills a teen boy in a midnight car accident, there's only one thing for her to do: use her science project to bring him back to life.

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel

When his twin brother falls ill in the family's chateau, sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein embarks on a dangerous and uncertain quest to create the forbidden Elixir of Life.

Strange Star by Emma Carroll

Told primarily by servant Felix, Lord Byron and friends gather to tell ghost stories on a stormy night in 1816 Switzerland. Then, a young girl arrives with her own dark and dangerous tale.

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

When a talented mechanic in 1818 Geneva brings his brother back from the dead using clockwork parts, the citizens think they may have inspired the recently published novel Frankenstein.

Gris Grimly's Frankenstein by Gris Grimly

Retells, in graphic novel format, Mary Shelley's classic tale of a monster who develops a mind of his own, learns to loathe himself, and hate his creator.

Movie Review: The Princess Bride

Featured Actors –

Cary Elwes as Westley

Robin Wright as Buttercup

Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya

Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck

Plot Summary –

It’s a movie about a book that is read to a sick boy who doesn’t think the book will be good. It starts with Westley and Buttercup. Westley goes on a ship and doesn’t come back. Years later, Buttercup is chosen to marry the prince of the land, but gets kidnapped. Westley returns and seeks out to save her.

Notes & Opinions –

It has action, fencing, comedy, and more. It's great for everyone. My whole family has watched the movie many times. The best part, in my opinion, is when Buttercup is captured.

Rating –

4.8 out of 5

This review brought to you courtesy of YA volunteer, Maggie.