I think we shouldn’t be cruel to animals [Dec. 19 Cover]. If you think you’re ready for a pet, check twice. They are a big responsibility. I’m not trying to be mean, but animals need good homes with good owners to care for them. So don’t be mean to animals.
— Erin O.
Clothes call
Andr’e P. [Dec. 12 Backtalk], knowing yourself is about being able to be yourself around other people, not about how you dress! I mean, come on, if we aren’t supposed to buy our clothes, where are we supposed to get them? It’s not like every kid in America makes their own clothing. Even if they did, a certain color or style would be “in.” Plus, the phrases “sweet,” “old school,” “tight” and “straight” are gonna be used regardless of what other people say about it. I’m sick and tired of reading articles that are about people’s outlook on today’s world.
— Kate W., 12
Do something!
I’m tired of hearing people say that everyone litters too much. I’m tired of hearing people say that no one takes care of the Earth. Sure, we all hate to see other people litter; it’s wrong. The point is, if you see someone litter, are you gonna pick it up? Yes, David P. [Dec. 12 Backtalk], if you see someone litter, let’s say a popsicle stick, you will want to kick them where it hurts. But will you go and pick up that popsicle stick? I’m not saying any of you non-litterers are wrong, but you can’t complain if you are not making an effort to solve the problem. Get out there and do something about it.
— Nina S., 13
Foul behavior
I was at a boys basketball game last week, and one of the coaches from another school got three technicals. He got mad at the end because a boy from the other team got two free throws, but he got his last technical and got thrown out of the game. The kid shooting got to shoot eight free throws. He made seven out of the eight. If you ask me, that is pretty good! Then after the game, the coach of the other team came back into the gym to pick up his kid. I think that coach was embarrassing his son. No need to get mad. It is just a game.
— Ashley S., 10
Tough world
First off, Kenny P. [Dec. 12 Backtalk] is completely right. The Smashing Pumpkins were one of the best bands around. And my buddy Kenny here made another great point: What is the big deal about these people with their looks and barely any voice? Doesn’t anyone know that anybody can learn how to sing? Another point is that most of the boy bands were started or immensely funded by Disney; no, girls, no matter how cute the guys are, they didn’t start their own bands, not like the Pumpkins or any other good bands who started themselves and slowly rose to fame.
David P., go ahead and kick someone who littered; I dare you. Same to Mike, Roger and David. The Earth will live; we will not. But you should focus more on keeping yourself healthy, strong and respected. Life is like an uphill climb on Rollerblades on ice. You can’t stop and look around or you will slide back down.
Elisa M. and Aileen C. [Dec. 12 Backtalk], you guys summed up everything I was going to say. You girls rock!
— Bill C., 13
The roach magnet
Greg S. [Nov. 14 Backtalk], I don’t think you thought out your letter well enough. See, at my high school, there is a newer and stricter ban on any kind of food item out of the cafeteria. It can’t be taken ANYWHERE out of the cafeteria, even outside. The day my art teacher told the class about this, he found a monster cockroach in his classroom. Roaches like to hide in pieces of paper, and candy and gum wrappers are perfect for them. We’ve also had a mouse problem. All this just because students are too lazy to walk over to the trash can and throw out wrappers and Coke cans.
— Nyssa N., 15
Prayer is positive
I disagree with Anonymous’ letter concerning school prayer [Nov. 28 Backtalk]. I go to a Catholic school, and prayer is a part of my everyday life. I pray by myself, with my class and with the whole school. Sometimes prayer helps build a sense of community. Even in a public school setting, I don’t think prayer is bad or offensive. Most Americans believe in God, whether they call him Buddha or another name. Yes, I know school prayer is banned, but I’ve heard of public schools praying together. Even if it isn’t a group prayer, what is wrong with having silent prayer in public school?
Maybe the problem is our society. It seems to discourage any practice of religion. Not just in schools, but in our homes, where religion begins. What has happened to “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”?
— Emilia C., 13
Listen up, KidNews!
Could you please listen to us kids more? I mean, for example, someone wrote to you guys about bringing back the whole page of Playing Around, and you printed the letter but did nothing about it! What’s the point of Backtalk then? You wanna know what we think, here’s what we think — but what are you going to do about it? What’s the point of hearing our opinions without doing anything about it? Listen to us!
— Ada, 14
KidNews note: We listen very closely to our readers, Ada, but it’s a matter of competing interests. We have a limited amount of space, and in that space we try to provide content that will make the most kids happy. Say we switch to a full Playing Around page to make that one letter writer happy. We’d have to dump a bunch of stories to do so, and that would make other kids unhappy! We listen to all our readers, whether we get a letter, talk to them on the phone, meet them while out doing a story, whatever. Then we try to reach a balance of stories that works for the most kids, based on the space available to us. (How much space is available or how many ads run is outside our control, but that’s a whole other, complicated story!)
Scout it out
In regard to Liam M. [Nov. 21 Backtalk], I know many Boy Scouts who have joined another organization, the Young Marines. The organization helps young boys and girls learn the importance of honor, courage and commitment. About that comment you made of being an Eagle Scout, “Whatever job you decide to have, with the Eagle Scout rank, you’ll go right to the top.” Well, if you make Master Gunnery Sgt. or Sgt. Major in the Young Marines, you can also get just about anywhere.
— JuanPablo P., 14
Drumming rocks
Your article “Have a pounding ambition?” [Nov. 14 Drum Roll, Please] is great. It gives people tips on how to get started as a drummer. I’m a drummer in my band, and I think it is a great hobby to learn. It’s fun, and it gives kids something to do. I also appreciate the fact that you mentioned that drumming circle. I’ll tell my friends. Your article also mentions girl drummers, and my reply is, I have a girl drummer in my band, and she’s the best one out of all of us. She practices a lot and tries new things with the drums.
— Dominic O.
Computers handy
I think the new handheld computers are good for kids who are good at schoolwork. But do smart kids need them? I don’t think so. They study enough. Kids who aren’t smart really need them to get good grades. So kids who need them get them, but kids who don’t need them don’t get them. All kids want to go to college, so they have to get good grades. They could be famous one day, so get them for the kid who’s not so smart.
— Kevin F., 10
You’re a keen one
I read your article “He’ll Steal the Show” [Nov. 21 Cover]. I think Jim Carrey is right that The Grinch is misunderstood and is really not very mean. I have read the book and watched the TV show. The Grinch looks mean, but I agree with Carrey that he just can’t make the decision to celebrate or not for Christmas.
— Samantha Z.
Boys will be Boys
Though I no longer read KidNews, my younger brother was looking through it when my eyes caught the headline “The Boys grow up” [Nov. 28 Backtalk]. I looked farther into the article and realized it was a review of the Backstreet Boys’ new album. I was amazed to see that the Backstreet Boys have earned the title of “The Boys.” “The Boys” are, and will be for some time, The Beatles. Lou Carlozo’s article appears to praise the Backstreet Boys for writing two of the songs on the album. While this is better than many musicians out there, it is hardly worthy of high praise, especially when the article also states that the two are not the best songs. The Backstreet Boys should learn to play some of their own music. What a radical idea, huh?
In conclusion, I would appreciate it if you reserved the title “The Boys” for someone who really deserves it. Long live The Boys — The Beatles!
— Peter S., 14
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