Red and Blue are the colors we built a country from, Red like the blood we spilled for freedom Blue like the clear skies we keep reaching for but also Red like the wounds of those we forced to plow our fields Blue like the tears we spilled watering our fields then Stars strewn across like the ones in our eyes as we looked past our mistakes to the sky-scraper silver heavens never down at the oppressed always up, always higher we are a country built on Red and Blue colors that unite and divide us all at once Democrat, Republican Liberal, Conservative focused on complicated policy and power politics that end in meaningless conflict Red and Blue colors which once linked us have become chain-links heavy, too heavy weighing us down that hill we need to climb we haven’t climbed it we can, but we won’t, not while our backs are weighed by prejudice by intolerance by hate still the colors we built from brim and burst with potential Red and Blue like an early-morning sky filled with scarlet clouds and splashes of azure beauty birthed from new beginnings now is the time to honor those we exploited heal those wounds we left open break the chains that hold us and start anew waving high a united flag of Red and Blue.
Broken Traffic Light
Broken Traffic Light Ismini Vasiloglou, 12 wear your mask wear your mask wear your mask wear your mask wear your mask wear your mask wear your mask wear your mask wear your mask wear your mask wear your I can’t breathe I can’t breathe I can’t breathe I can’t breathe I can’t breathe I can’t run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster run faster the fabric hugs my skin as I gasp for breath, my nose clogs with colored cotton fiber don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop my lungs burn, but I can’t take off my mask; the excessive flooding’s forced us inside stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe stay safe the restrictions aren’t nearly harsh enough to help us but I’m suffocating under their hold stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop
The Other Realm, Reviewed by Ismini, 12
Tristan Hui’s The Other Realm is a story of family and adventure sure to enthrall even the most hesitant reader. After falling into a dimension parallel to her world, Azalea Morroe sets off on a quest to save the job of her eccentric father. Along the way, she befriends Sunny, a 15-year-old native in search of her older brother, and Sam, a 10-year-old ghost desperate to flee the unrelenting Prileidian Desert. Together, they make their way towards the city of Cambelt, facing numerous challenges guaranteed to capture the reader’s attention. The Other Realm is a quick but enticing five-star read. The prose is beautiful, rich, and vivid. From the “graying aspens” to the “glaring sun,” I felt as if I were trekking through the sweltering desert myself. Tristan writes, “Azalea was crouched on the hard, dry ground of an expansive desert, the air hazy and landscape painted in muted hues.” Tristan seems to have carefully chosen each word, making the landscape spring to life. Additionally, the plot is fresh and easy to follow, but complex enough that the reader constantly wants more. The characters are well-rounded, dynamic, and relatable. While this book is action-packed, much internal conflict occurs, and we see the characters evolve from start to finish. I also love how Tristan explores family bonds. I’ve had many moments these past few years where I’ve taken a comment or critique from my family too personally and ended up hurt or ignored. Through characters like Sunny, Tristan shows that no matter what blows are exchanged, the love of family trumps all. Not only that, the protagonist, Azalea, demonstrates how far she is willing to go to help her family as she continues to persevere to save her father’s job, despite all the challenges thrown her way. I would have liked to see more growth in the main character, but overall Tristan Hui’s The Other Realm is a must-read for lovers of fantasy, adventure, and magical realism. The Other Realm by Tristan Hui, winner of the Stone Soup Book Contest 2020. Children’s Art Foundation, Incorporated, 2021. Buy the book at our store, Amazon, or Bookshop.com.
