Recently, our KidNews judges found themselves surrounded–by stacks and stacks of envelopes. Had our worst nightmare come true? Hardly! We were thrilled. Because inside the envelopes were hundreds upon hundreds of sweet, sad, spooky or just plain funny entries written for our KidNews Story-Writing Contest.
By deadline, more than 2,000 kids had taken the opening line, written by “Bud, Not Buddy” author Christopher Paul Curtis, and dreamed up some amazing stories to go with it. After reading through every one of them, we’ve picked the top 10 stories. And the grand-prize winner is . . .
AARON R., 12, of Wilmette, pictured below. In his story, “Oblivious Obliteration,” a middle-age businessman is entirely clueless that his actions have made him many enemies–of the buggy, six- and eight-legged sort. (See Aaron’s story below.)
Tired of being stepped on, the spineless creepy-crawlies rally together and fight back, with disastrous but hilarious results. The KidNews judges were charmed by the whimsy, wit and originality of Aaron’s story. But it left us wondering, how did Aaron dream up the idea of making his characters invertebrates?
Aaron says it started out as an ant-sized notion, in which he jokingly wondered what would happen if he killed off a key character–Daryl, who accepts the envelope in the story’s opening line–in the first few paragraphs. At the same time, Aaron wanted to keep the story lighthearted, so he came up with the idea of an ant.
“Ants are easily squashed, so that led to a story about insects,” he said.
Aaron built on his initial idea by “just sort of thinking about what insects would think is important,” he said. Soon, one tiny ant developed into hordes of garbage-munching bugs buzzing with plans to exterminate their enemy, the big-footed, fly-swatting Lenny. And Aaron had a winning story!
Brainstorming is an important first step in the writing process for Aaron, who says he pulls ideas from everywhere.
“I write lots of stories and poems. I like to write action stuff,” said Aaron, who will spend three weeks this summer attending a creative-writing camp at Northwestern University.
Any tips for other writers, Aaron?
“Once you have an idea, keep writing. Don’t stop.”
He wins a $100 Borders gift certificate, a meeting with the Chicago Tribune’s writing coach, plus an e-mail chat with Curtis.
Other winners
(Prize: $50 Borders gift certificates)
Second prize:
Katelyn G., 13, of Northbrook, “True Blue Friends”
Third prize:
Elizabeth B., 14, of Elmhurst, “Always and Forever”
Fourth prize:
Christina K., 15, of Elkhart, Ind., “Use It Well . . . “
Fifth prize:
Miranda A., 15, of Lombard, “The Thing”
Honorable mentions
(Prize: A copy of “Bud, Not Buddy” by Christopher Paul Curtis)
Nathaniel F., 13, of Aurora, “The NPS”
Kelly O., 14, of Chicago, “Ravena”
Virginia H., 13, of Wonder Lake, “Violet”
Desiree S., 14, of Moscow, Pa., “Lydia”
Amy H., 15, of Hinsdale, “The Most Important Test”
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ONLINE: Read the top five stories and comments from their writers! Go to bancodeprofissionais.com/kidnews.
A peek inside
Each KidNews story-writing contestant started with the same opening line by author Christopher Paul Curtis–and the same mysterious envelope.
The line was:
‘Daryl’s hands shook as she took the envelope that Aisha slid across her desk–had her worst nightmare come true?’
So, what did kids stuff inside their envelopes? Here’s a look: (bull) College acceptance letters (bull) College rejection letters (bull) SAT or other test scores (bull) Notes from crushes (bull) Notes from angry friends
