The song “Marjorie” is played in the movie Eras Tour in the Evermore leg of the concert, where I first heard it in early 2024. Ever since then, I have fallen in love with this song because the tune sends calming tingles down my spine and never fails to make the point of how much Taylor Swift misses her grandma Marjorie Finlay. I also love how the song’s lyrics are structured like chants, with life lessons Taylor has learned from Marjorie, for example, “Never be so kind, you forget to be clever.Never be so clever, you forget to be kind.” Taylor shares a heart-shattering story about knowing her grandma has passed away but still feeling her spirit in the world around her. The song emphasizes how Taylor looks up to her grandmother and how her grandmother has passed on her dreams to Taylor Swift. This song truly expresses Taylor’s grief for her grandma. Taylor Swift was born in West Riding, PA on December 13, 1989. She released her first official album at 16 years old. She is known worldwide for singing many famous love songs, but some people don’t realize that she’s not the love-obsessed girl they think she is. Instead, she is also the singer of songs like “Welcome to New York” (about moving to New York), “22” (celebrating being 22), “Shake it Off” (about ignoring the haters), and “Marjorie” (about her grandmother). The song “Marjorie” is in Evermore, Taylor’s 9th album. The album cover has Taylor with her hair in a braid and in a flannel sweater. The album was published when Taylor Swift was 30 in 2020. “Evermore” originally is an adverb that means forever, always, or in the future. I love this word because the word “forever” always brings reassurance to my mind, as it makes me feel like the hard times will pass, and everything will be the same in the future as before. This album was once a top album and “Willow,” another song in the album, was once a top song. I recommend this song because it is engraved in Taylor Swift’s heart, representing her as a person just like any of us. The grandma-granddaughter connections seem to be even more precious nowadays after COVID-19. This song will definitely raise people’s spirits and even make them cry when they connect this song with someone who passed away or disappeared in their life. Such a loss can result in a closed heart unable to be open to new love and invisible pain stabbing them in the side every day. This invisible pain is usually concealed and untold. The heart, however, is like a piece of paper; after it’s crumpled it can never be the same. Possibly because of the power of connecting people, the song “Marjorie” becomes an important part of the legacy of the Eras Tour, as it is sung in every concert.
Young Bloggers
Sleeping Beauty’s Rose: Amorino Gelato by Priscilla Chow, 10
Amorino is an ice cream shop based off of the two passions of co-founders Cristiano Sereni and Pablo Benassi: Italy and gelato. The first ever Amorino gelato shop was opened in 2002 in IIe Saint-Louis: the heart of Paris. This memorable destination is a must-go-to for all visitors and even residents of Paris. In 2006, the franchise was able to open over 90 stores across France. In 2008, just two years later, the first international Amorino store was opened in Barcelona. In the following years, the company easily progressed to major places, such as London, Milan, and even New York. Also, in 2016, the brand was blessed with their 150th store. In my opinion, the co-founders became very successful because of the creativity put inside of the cone. The unique rose shape is created with a metal spatula. The spatula slowly makes the flower come to life petal by petal. The cuisine is a piece of artwork, for there is so much delicate detail put into every single cone. The work, effort, and handcraft involved to make the ice cream is unbelievable. I also think the other reason for their success is because they had the idea to let everyone enjoy ice cream, as some of the flavors are vegan and gluten free. This is true because, in 2016, the Vegan Society approved of all the sobets in Amorino’s wide selection of its flavors. I was in Chicago’s famous downtown towards the end of February. I was able to go get an Amorino ice cream. As soon as I entered the shop, pale walls and dark floor intrigued me and made me feel soft tingles of warmth reminding me of cozy cottages. I saw a small line formed in the middle of the shop with small tables set for two around the area. The place was full of chattering voices of customers and the fresh aroma of gelato. I slowly ordered my serving of gelato: organic lemon, pistachio, passion fruit, hazelnut chocolate, and mint chocolate chip. I closed my eyes with enjoyment, as the flavors, once mixed together, created more new unnamed and unspoken flavors. Ice cream can sometimes make my head swirl and my mouth slowly curve into a smile. It was true of Amorino Gelato, but it tasted denser and richer, giving me even more joy as I ate. And my heart beat fast, as I played a game with the drops of gelato and sorbet that tried to drip onto my hands. The droplets might mimic the sweat beads I had, but I did not let a speck of sticky ice cream get on me. As the cone slowly grew smaller, I finished the ice cream with perfectly untouched hands. I continued to walk down the street still tasting the sweet flavors on the tip of my tongue, deciding which ones I would get next time.
Invisible Emmie, Reviewed by Maahika Challagulla, 12
The dictionary definition of invisible is “unable to be seen; not visible to the eye”. The middle school definition of invisible is not exactly the same. Has someone ever walked by you, shoved past you, and not given you a second glance? That happens to Emmie on a daily basis. This is understandable, because she is quiet, shy, and not the popular type. This book is about how Emmie survives middle school during an embarrassing event that draws unwanted attention to her. Soon, when the most popular girl in school, Katie, tries to come to her aid, things do not go her way. Katie is a very popular character in this story. Emmie, on the other hand, is a shy, quiet person who is just trying to hide from everyone and get through middle school. Kate is also not afraid to stand up for herself and others around her. And while she tries to stand up for Emmie, it doesn’t work out as well as intended. This book has a great plot, escalates slowly, and makes you want to keep turning the pages. I bet that if you are in middle school, you will relate to this book one way or another. This book is part of a series. If you enjoy this book, there are many others you can enjoy. Readers of any age will enjoy this book, but I recommend it to any middle school student looking for a new book. I first read this book when I was ten years old, and I still enjoy reading it! One of the things that I love about this book is that it narrates the story from multiple perspectives. Other books in the series show their stories from multiple timelines as well. I also like that this book is a graphic novel. I like that it’s a graphic novel because while I like visualizing pictures, I also love seeing how the author imagines everything in the story. The author, Terri Libenson, did an amazing job of making everything bright, colorful, and cartoonish, while still making it look realistic. Overall, this is one of the best graphic novels I have ever read. This series is amazing, and I recommend it as a must-read book/series for any middle school student, especially those who feel invisible. Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson. Balzer & Bray/Harperteen. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
