Write a story that ends in fireworks.
Stone Soup Magazine for young readers, writers, and artists
Saturday Newsletter: July 1, 2023
Sunset in the Shadowy Woods (acrylic) by Emma Yang, 8; published in the July/August issue of Stone Soup A note from Emma Wood Hello, all— I hope you are enjoying the summer—I just wrapped up my Intro to Poetry summer camp, and it was an invigorating week reading, discussing, and writing really incredible poems. One thing I love about the Stone Soup teaching philosophy is that we don’t teach “down” to kids—I adapt lessons that I use with undergraduate students, and the poems are never too hard for them. Everyone responds to the brilliant writing, regardless of their age and experience with literature! We are running writing summer camps in conjunction with Society of Young Inklings through August 10th—sign up for a spot now if you haven’t yet! You can also peruse our offerings below. We are currently running a campaign to support our writing workshops and summer camps, as well as our annual book contest and publishing program. While both of these programs align with our core mission, they cannot be entirely supported through the revenue we earn from the magazine. Here are some of the things we’ve heard from children impacted by these programs: Two of the most exciting and proud moments of my life were when I got my first poem published—and two years later when my book won the book contest. Emma Hoff, 11 Stone Soup means so many things to me–but with my novel, it was a goal and a place to aim for. That novel is currently being serialized in Stone Soup, and writing it was a huge experience for me. It taught me a lot! Emily Chang, 14 I’ve become the writer I am today thanks to Stone Soup’s writing workshops.…If not for them, I would very rarely have the motivation to sit down and write… I’ve discovered so much about my writing style through these classes, and I think anyone who has a passion for writing will find their voice through these classes, too. Anonymous, 13 We are also very proud to share that Liam Hancock, a contributor to Stone Soup and longtime writing workshop participant, has recently launched his very own literary magazine, StudentKind Literary Journal, for individuals aged 13-18—proof that the inspiration, confidence and skills that students develop in our classes takes them far beyond their own desk! We hope you will consider making a thoughtful gift in support of our successful book program, writing workshops, and summer camps today; your gifts will fund our classes, and enable us to continue offering scholarships to a handful of deserving students each year, as well as help our books reach a wider audience—and ensure this valuable initiative will continue. You can donate online via Paypal or Donorbox. Sincerely, P.S. The Stone Soup board of directors has given $6500 in a dollar-for-dollar match, so the impact of your donation is doubled. Donate Now From Stone Soup July/August 2023 Ivy’s Return by Clara Gluzdov, 13 The melody came on the beams of moonlight. Moonlight poured through a tall window, covering the room in an eerie glow. Ivy lay on the fluffy carpet, fur glowing slightly. Her ears finally stopped twitching at every noise, wishing it was music. More specifically, piano music. She sighed in her sleep, the comforting sound filling her dreams. Ivy dreamt of kitchens full of mice—so many! an endless source of entertainment—and swarms of birds in the air, fresh and warm, to bring inside for her beloved Dahlia. She rolled over in her sleep, and her dreams changed to the piano. If only I was human . . . Ivy purred to herself in her sleep. Then I could play the piano, the wonderful piano Dahlia sits at for hours and hours . . . I could be tall, tall enough to reach the piano, to sit down on the stool with my human legs touching the ground. But now it towers over me, grand and elegant, leaving me feeling small and vulnerable. If only I was human . . . As she wished and wished to be human, the moonlight wrapped itself around her. It grew thicker and thicker, almost solid now. Swirls of it were bright and sounded slightly higher pitched. To most it would sound like nothing, but to the moonlight it was speaking. Should we do it? Should we do it now? She had tried. She had tried to play the piano but was only able to make horrid, wild noise. And when she failed, it made her desire stronger. Does she truly want this? the moonlight sang. Yes! said a shiny swirl. Are you sure? said another. A third said: We will find out soon. * * * Click here to find out what happens next. Not yet a subscriber? Get one month digital access free! Don’t miss your chance to enjoy Stone Soup, the magazine 100% written and illustrated by kids since 1973, for free! Use code SUMMER at checkout to receive one month of digital access at no cost. Free submissions to the magazine, access to 20+ years of digital archives, and new issues bimonthly. Terms and conditions apply. Shop our Summer Sale Explore our summer camp offerings Advanced Novel Writing July 17–20; 9–11 am PT In Writing Instructor Conner Bassett’s course, learn the basic techniques of good storytelling, such as setting, plot, character, dialogue, and more! Brainstorm concepts and share ideas for your novel that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. Freedom through Constraint: Experiments in Poetry & Prose July 24–27; 9–11 am PT In this workshop taught by Stone Soup Blog Editor Caleb Berg, campers will study and use self-imposed constraints such as omitting specific letters and patterns of repetition in order to maximize the untapped potential of their work. The goal is not necessarily to make sense but to excite the senses! Anthropology of the Everyday: The Art of Creative Nonfiction July 24–27; 1–3 pm PT Taught by Laura Moran, cultural anthropologist and Stone Soup’s Refugee Project director, this course instructs students in a method of personal writing called autoethnography that combines storytelling with details
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Reviewed by Jeremy Lim, 10
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a masterpiece, a tapestry woven by Holly Jackson, a New York Times bestselling author. This book is relatively tranquil in the early beginning, with odd evidence that doesn’t really seem to relate and a growing list of suspects. However, as the evidence trail continues, uncovering darker and darker secrets about seemingly ordinary people in the town, the suspense and action quickly ramps up. As Pip realizes that she might actually be right about the murder case, and she joins up with Sal Singh’s brother to pursue this case even farther, it becomes more than just Pip’s senior project. It branches out to every aspect of her daily life—secrets from close friends, confessions, and then… it gets completely personal. Death threats are sent. They go after her dog. This is where the story really ramps up. One thing I liked a lot about this book is the suspense that affects not just you, but the characters and also the realistic feelings of guilt, fear and anger that hang all around the story, setting the mood. In the end, Pip and the other characters have to deal with both their past and present actions as truths and secrets are spilled. The center of the story revolves around the murder five years ago, as the murderers come back to haunt Pip, and the stakes grow higher and higher. In the end, Pip has to choose between potentially closing the case once and for all, or hopefully protecting her family and friends. This makes the book stand out as a unique, extraordinary murder mystery. Additionally, the switching between the case files and the real time story is balanced, with each coming in at just the right time. The story builds in a magnificent way, showing Pip and Ravi’s findings first as they sift through the evidence, and then showing the conclusions that the Pip comes to based on that evidence. This is not always common in this genre, but I personally like it, because it gives everybody a chance to actually guess who the murderer is based on the data. I am not a very good detective myself, so it made me happy that in this book, before the big reveal, I actually (almost) got it right! Finally, this book is great, because like all good mystery books, the killer’s motives are relatable and not far-fetched. Andie Bell’s murder is more like a series of unfortunate events leading up to her death. Objects in the story are things that we use in our everyday lives. In this way, you cannot put this stellar book down because everything, everyone and the entire setup fits YOU. You become immersed in this other world that is not at all that far away. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a great book that everyone should enjoy, although it is not suitable for younger readers. The plot and details involve crimes that delve in the darker side of things. However, for those who can read it, this book is good for fans of books such as Sherlock Holmes or Murder on the Orient Express. Action book fans might like the ending, and the suspense is all around. This book dives very deep into the personal lives of the fictional characters, and was a New York Times bestseller for 77 weeks. So what are you waiting for? Go read this book! A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. Ember, 2021. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
