Laura Purdie Salas

Writing the World for Kids

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You are here: Home / Poems for Kids / What if 9th Grade Is a Disaster?: An Original Poem and My Bad News

What if 9th Grade Is a Disaster?: An Original Poem and My Bad News

August 31, 2009 By Laura

I received some terrible news a couple of weeks ago–my editor is leaving Clarion. In fact, Friday was her last day. She resigned because of a family move away from NYC, and I don’t even know if she’ll be able to remain in children’s publishing at all. This is devastating news–she has been such a support and encourager these past couple of years. I’m worried about the future of my books there, and at the possible loss of another poetry-loving editor.

And speaking of worries…

My kids start school September 8, so this is the last week of summer for us (yay!). Each day, I’m going to share an original, unpublished poem related to school, and today’s list poem is all about worries.

 

What If Ninth Grade Is a Disaster?


What if…

…I miss a pouffy spot when I straighten my hair?
…My mom hollers, “I love you! Have a great day!” as I slink down the driveway.
…She doesn’t?
…I leave my violin on the bus?
…My locker is upstairs?
…Seniors trip me in the hall?
…I get "Public Speaking and You" as my elective, not "Funky Clothing Design"?
…I do not know a single, solitary person in any of my classes?
…Chad Behr is in my Public Speaking class, and I gasp for air and pass out?
…We have stew for lunch (how could there be leftovers already!)?
…It rains, and my hair totally frizzes out?
…Nobody else has the same clothes as me?
…Everybody else has the same clothes as me?
…The speech therapist recognizes me from summer and says hi in the hallway?
…I just pretend to be sick?
…I really get sick?
…I’m still the shortest person in my grade?
…My pants rip (they’re the tiniest bit tight)?
…I miss the bus because I’m safety pinning my pants in the girls’ room?
…My dad tells me again how exciting the first day of school should be?

–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved

Next week, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite school-themed poetry collections, old and brand new, including J. Patrick Lewis’ Countdown to Summer.

Tagged With: bad news, list poems, publishing process, teen/adult poems

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Related

« Poetry Friday: Flea and Louse (David L. Harrison)
Is It Time for School Yet? Poem #2 »

March News

Writing Alone Together

Busy times here! I'm working on new picture books and also continuing to invite people to Write Alone Together with me. In March, it's happening on Wed., March 10, at 6 p.m. Central Time. You can sign up here for this free event!

I'm also doing some virtual author visits and Family Literacy Nights this month, and it's lovely to write poems with students again!

Hooray for creativity and connections :>)

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Writer in Progress

Signed, personalized books?

You can get them easy peasy! Just order through Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, MN! I'll zip by and sign it for you, and they'll send it on its way. Click on any book below to order.

Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten Secrets of the Loon Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle: How Animals Get Ready for Winter, by Laura Purdie Salas and Claudine Gévry (Millbrook Press)
In the Middle of the Night Snowman - Cold = Puddle If You Were the Moon
A Rock Can Be... - cover - hi-res Water Can Be...

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What I’ve Been Reading

What I've Been Reading

The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary
it was amazing
The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary
Love, Aubrey
it was amazing
Love, Aubrey
Summer According to Humphrey
really liked it
Summer According to Humphrey
John Brown: His Fight for Freedom
John Brown: His Fight for Freedom
Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song
it was amazing
Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song

 


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