Making sense of the Littleton tragedy
By Elysia B.

She Said Yes, written by Misty Bernall, is about Cassie, seventeen, and a junior at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Cassie was just having an ordinary day when two of her classmates came up to her, put a gun to her head and asked if she believed in God. Cassie said yes. To find out what happens, read this book.

Misty Bernall wrote She Said Yes about her relationship with her daugher, Cassie. She recalls the first time she saw her daughter, her life with her daughter, and the tragedy at Columbine High School in 1995.

This touching story will make you cry, laugh, and will make you feel happy at different points.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Do you like ghost stories?
By Nikki H.

Do you like ghost stories? If you do, you should read Jade Green by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. It's a ghost story about a girl who supposedly committed suicide in the house that the main character, Judith Sparrow, moves to. When Judith moves in, she gets a ghostly surprise.

Judith has been forbidden to bring anything colored green into the house. But when she breaks the rules and brings a silk green picture frame into the house, the ghost of Jade Green comes back. It isn't all of Jade, It is only her right hand, which was cut off at her death.

Judith's family is hearing the noise made by the ghost. And her uncle seems to want something from her, but she can't put her finger on it. Scared, Judith gets rid of the frame, but the hand still appears...

You have to read the book to find out the ending. Jade Green is a bone chiller.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

South Pacific's last performance was a smash
A Review
By Ashley D.

South Pacific's last performance here at Peacock, on October 31, made a great impression on students and teachers. The students loved the actors' performances. Their props were nicely detailed. The play was sort of short, but still amusing..

Kyle A. was the perfect person for the part of Emile, and Christine H. was great for Nellie too.

Maggie F.'s accent was wonderful and went well with the part of Bloody Mary.

The stage manager, Amanda B., did a terrific job handling the stage crew, scenery and props behind the scences.

The nurses and army workers didn't have many lines but were still good and solid.

Admittedly, there were a few slips in saying lines and singing songs, but that's what made it an eighth grade play and not a Broadway musical.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

SHOPPING!!
Correspondent discusses the wonderful world of mall shopping
By Allie G.,
Correspondent

Yes, it's a girl's favorite thing. Of course I'm talking about shopping!

I mean, what better place to shop than a mall? At least that's where I go. And what are malls filled with? Stores of course! For most people this is kiddy stuff.

Megean C., thirteen, says, "I love shopping! I don't know how I would live without it." But, now I'm going to go deeper into this twisted mystery. Be prepared!

A new mall, which is going to be called South Point, will open in Durham, North Carolina in 2002 and people are already talking about it! Twelve-year-old Brandi Jenkins, says, "The new mall is going to be so awesome! I absolutely cannot wait for it to open!"

Malls in North Carolina include stores which are both the same and different. North Carolina has a chain of department stores called Belk, which is a nice clothes store. A few others include Dillard's, Hecht's and Topkapi.

And of course there are stores like JcPenny's, Old Navy, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Limited Too.

As well as clothes shopping, there is the great food selection. In the midwest we have mostly "Chicago Food" like hot dogs and pizza.

Well that's not the case on the East coast. People are big on chicken and breakfast foods. Chik-Fil-A, a fast food restaurant, sells basically anything that has to do with chicken. Chicken sandwiches, salads and plain chicken.

Another place is Bojangles, a breakfast chain. Like a Denny's restaurant, only it sells fast food.

Let us take one last look and see what we've missed, Hmmm. Oh no! The guys! We have to talk to some guys about this.

Most people are under the impression that guys dislike shopping, but they are wrong. Some guys DO like shopping, even if they don't want to go.

Erich G., thirteen, says "I think its something you need to do, but no one REALLY has to spend hours at a store especially if you aren't going to buy something."

There are your basic facts about North Carolina malls.

So where would be the ideal place to shopp? Beverly Hills, L.A., Mall of America, Chicago, or even England?

Farina S., thirteen, replies "New York, because there are more people and bigger and better stores."

On the other hand, Katherine L., eleven, disagrees. "Pittsburgh. They have bigger and better stores, and the people are really nice so you have a better shopping experience and more fun."

Craig Reed, twelve, decides to go WAY out there and he said, "Japan for electronics because it has Sony and a lot of other company headquarters. Tokyo is where most of the stuff is made."

Allie now attends North Chatham Middle School
http://www9.chatham.k12.nc.us/NCS

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Some people don't just go to middle school
Irish dancer Kaitlyn L. attends dancing school
By Jackie S.

Kaitlyn L. is a typical student at Peacock Middle School, but that all changes when she puts on a heavy costume and starts to Irish dance.

Kaitlyn started dancing when she was five. There are many different kinds of dances like slip jig and hornpipe with only foot movements. There are three competitions per year, a couple of small ones, and a bigger competition includes all the Irish dancers in the Midwest. The competitions take place all over the United States.

According to Kaitlyn, her parents play a big role in her dancing. They attend every competition, and that could be a lot of pressure on Kaitlyn. Her parents also have to push her to go to practices. The practices are every Saturday for four long hours.

Kaitlyn has dedicated her life for six years to Irish dancing, and she has won over forty medals in competition. Kaitlyn explained that she has devoted her life to Irish dancing. She added that she didn't know what she would do without her dancing and special cultural experience.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

From Day to Night
By Kelly M.

There once was a little old man, who sat outside with a grin on his face, that was ten feet wide. He sat in his chair to smell the fresh air, and he looked at the sun until it faded into a glare.

The sky turned orange, and then it turned red. It got very dark, but the little old man didn't go to bed. Moon beams shown through the trees, and he laid back in his chair as he felt a cool breeze.

Stars started to fill the night. He grabbed his blanket and held it tight. He closed his eyes and said, "What a perfect night."

In the morning as the sun started to rise, the little old man opened his eyes. Then he said in a very pleasant way, "I think this will be another perfect day."

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Quizno's Subs is quite superb
By Mark G.

My dad, sister and I recently ate at Quizno's Subs. It's a good place to go for salads, soups, and subs. The environment is nice and friendly.

My sister ordered a Turkey Bacon Guacamole and said it was "pretty good."

My dad had a cup of Clam Chowder soup and Chili. He thought that the soup was too thick, and the chili had too much tomato, but overall he said it was a good meal.

I ordered the Hot Beefeater. It was really tasty and filling.

Quizno's Subs is located on Iriving Park Road just past the Holiday Inn.

(On a scale of 1-5)

Cleanliness=5

Friendliness=5

Service=5

Price=3

Quality=4

Overall=4.5

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Joe's Crab Shack
By Sammie D.

Joe's Crab Shack at 2000 E. Golf Road in Schaumburg is a great place with good food and a fun atmosphere. My family went there on a Saturday night and it was so crowded that we had to wait an hour just to sit down!

While we were waiting, the maitre'de gave out slips of paper with names like Big Bird and Spiderman written on them. These were the names used to call you when a table was free, so while you were waiting you heard things like "Bugs Bunny, your table is ready!"

The wait didn't seem so long because Joe's Crab Shack is decorated with everything from seashells to skeletons and we spent most of the time playing "I Spy." This is not the place to go if you're looking for a nice quiet family conversation because between the loud music and everyone talking it's a very busy place.

When they finally called our name, (which was Batman) we sat on the heated deck. We first ordered the fried calamari appetizer, which I thought was spicy but really good. The special, not surprisingly, was King Crab Legs! You could get them barbecued, with garlic, or steamed.

I had the Alaskan king crab which was hard work to get open, but once I did, was very good. My Mom had the seafood salad, and she said that it was a really large portion and very tasty.

My Dad ordered the broiled seafood platter, which he described as, "O.K., but a little over-priced." My brother really isn't a seafood eater, so he had the macaroni and cheese from the kids' menu.

While we were eating, the waiters and waitresses performed dances to "Workin' at the Car Wash" and "YMCA." Joe's Crab Shack is a great place if you're looking for a fun night out.

(On a scale of 1 to 5)

Food: 4

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 4

Cleanliness: 5

Value : 3

Kid Friendliness: 5

Overall Experience:5

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Tommy's Red Hots serves great food fast
By Nicole D.

Tommy's has great food served fast. They have little benches, inside and out. They play a lot of oldies music on the radio. It's very comfy.

Everyday, Tommy's has different specials. My family and I prefer the hot dog special and their gyros.

When you walk in, you order, pay, then sit down. Even though it's a fast food restaurant, it takes them a long time to make it perfect.

The people who take your order are very nice. They are also very patient.

My family prefers Tommy's because we love it! You will too! You get a lot of food for a great price! Tommy's is located at 23 Lake St. in Addison. (On a scale of 1 to 5)

Food: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Cleanness: 4
Value: 5
Friendliness: 5
Overall: 4.3-4.5

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.