DEDICATION
For my 2016–2017 BWL sixth-grade library students
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
OMGGGGGGG Spring Fair!!!
Silver Girlzzzzzz
Cecily, Mara
Cecily, Mara
Luvviiieeessss
Summer Planssssssssssss
Vishal, Prianka
Silver Girls
Vishal, Prianka
Luvviiieeessss
Vishal, Prianka
Task Force
Cecily, Gabrielle
Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria
Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria
Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria
Vishal, Prianka
Luvviiieeessss
Gabrielle, Victoria
VNK BFF4E
Brunch with Mamas
Brunch with Mamas
Vishal, Prianka
Gabrielle, Victoria
Gabrielle, Victoria
Summmerrrrrrrrrr
Vishal, Prianka
Summmerrrrrrrrrr
Prianka, Cecily
Vishal, Prianka
My Girlzzzzzzz
Vishal, Prianka
My Girlzzzzzzz
True Confessions
Cecily, Mara
Arjun, Prianka
Camping Here We Come
! ! ! !
Camping OMG!!!!
Arjun, Victoria
BFFAEAEAEAEAEAEA
My Girlzzzzzzz
Squad
Prianka, Gabrielle
Vishal, Prianka
Arjun, Victoria
Squad
Squad
Cecily, Mara
Vishal, Prianka
Victoria, Prianka
Unknown, Cecily
Camila, Cecily
Update
Colin, Gabrielle
CPG4EVA
Prianka, Gabrielle
I Am in Loveeeeeeeeee
Whattttttttttttttttt
Prianka, Gabrielle
Arjun, Victoria
Victoria, Prianka
Help Me
Squad
Prianka, Gabrielle
Squad
Prianka, Cecily
Vishal, Arjun
Squadddddddd
Prianka, Gabrielle
Arjun, Victoria
Prianka, Gabrielle
Back 2 Texting Pleeeaaaassee
CPG4EVA
Best Day Everrrrrrr
Mara, Cecily
Dunk Tank Now
Arjun, Victoria
We Rock
Glossary
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Books by Lisa Greenwald
Back Ads
Copyright
About the Publisher
OMGGGGGGG SPRING FAIR!!!
PRIANKA
Guyyyssssss, how insane is this spring fair going to be
Soo pumped
GABRIELLE
Can’t believe it’s already march & we r talking about spring fair
CECILY
Can’t believe u r texting during assembly
But I agree
GABRIELLE
Mr. C totes just looked @ u, Pri
But what is this speaker even talking about
Why do we need 2 know about raising chickens
PRIANKA
We r the peep squad
GABRIELLE
LOL
SILVER GIRLZZZZZZ
I c u guys texting
During assembly
W/o me
Booooo
LOL
CECILY
Hi LOL sorry bye
GABRIELLE
PRIANKA
V, u r funny
MEMO
From: Mr. Carransey, Principal, Yorkville Middle School
To: All Middle School Students and Parents
Subject: Looking Inward; Promoting Unity
Dear students:
As you know, we had some difficulty with bullying earlier this semester. I believe we have all grown and learned a great deal about how to behave and conduct ourselves in our school community and the larger world.
We would like to continue this work. Today in each of your English classes, you will be receiving a journal where you will write down some thoughts—about how you see yourselves as individuals and how you see yourselves fitting into the larger community. We ask that you share them with peers and teachers if you are comfortable.
We will expand on this throughout the rest of the school year.
Edward Carransey
Principal
Yorkville Middle School
Be the change you want to see in the world. —Gandhi
Cecily, Mara
MARA
Cece, r u so excited 4 spring fair
I remember when my bro went & I was so jealous
Can we run a booth 2gether
Cecily, Mara
CECILY
Hi so sorry just saw these texts
I am so excited . . . Not sure what 2 do bout booth but will let u know
I gtg have din let’s hang soon xoxo
MARA
K def def xoxo
LUVVIIIEEESSSS
GABRIELLE
Omg u guys
Did u hear what happened
PRIANKA
Ummmmm
CECILY
IDK what u r talking about
GABRIELLE
Vivian Reese was caught kissing Jeremy Cavanaugh’s locker!
CECILY
Ewwwwww whyyyyyy
PRIANKA
Umm that’s weird
GABRIELLE
Yeah and she put a letter in too w/ kiss marks all over it
Mr. Akiyama caught her doing it
& TBH this may be TMI but she was so embarrassed she threw up right in the hallway
& she ate the sloppy joes 4 lunch
CECILY
OMG def TMI
PRIANKA
LOL
CECILY
This is so awk
I barely know Vivian
Why do I need 2 know about this weirdness w/ Jeremy
Or his locker LOL or throw up
TMI TMI
GABRIELLE
LOL ok
PRIANKA
This is soooooooooooooo funny
Love u guyzzzzzzz
555-55
YORKVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEXT/EMAIL ALERT: We have implemented a new text/email alert system. Keep an eye out for important updates (not during school hours, of course). #YorkvilleUnited
From: Douglas Katz
To: Gabrielle Katz
Subject: Summer in Austin!
Dear Gabs,
I’m going to Austin for much of the summer, and I would love to take you with me. My company is building a huge apartment complex out there and it’s going to have a pool with a water slide!
I’ve already discussed it with Mom and she says it’s okay. But there is one potential problem—I know you love summer in Yorkville with your friends . . . so think about it and get back to me.
Love,
Dad
* * *
First Journal Assignment
Please take some time to collect your thoughts about this school-wide initiative.
Before you write, ask yourself these questions:
Why is this project important?
What can I add to it?
What does tolerance mean to me?
Good luck!
SUMMER PLANSSSSSSSSSSSS
CECILY
U guys, what is every1 doing this summer
My mom keeps nagging me about deciding
But IDK what 2 do
PRIANKA
IK! my mom 2
She wants us 2 go 2 India & stay w/ my cousins all summer
I wld be soooo bored w/o u guys
And I always have to be on my best behavior there
No thank u
Help!
GABRIELLE
My dad just asked me if I want 2 go w/ him 2 Austin
WTH
CECILY
Wait we can’t all b apart
Who has a master plan
GABRIELLE
IDK
PRIANKA
Oooohh I have an idea!
That camping thing ?
Can we all go 2gether?
CECILY
OMG I realllllly want to do that
I am always so jeal when I see peeps camping pics
& bonus: my mom may be in2 that 2!!!!!
PRIANKA
Lets get all the deets
CECILY
K nighty night, loves
PRIANKA
ILYSM
GABRIELLE
XOXO
Dear Journal:
I think this is a cool idea. I like that everyone in the school is doing one specific assignment.
Some kids are whining about it, saying we don’t need extra work, and what’s the point and all of that. But so far, I think it’s cool.
Obviously, I already have a journal but I am happy to have another one. Don’t get jealous. Hee hee.
Being tolerant means cooperating with everyone even if they aren’t your favorite or your best friend. Even if you don’t really like someone, you can be nice to them and respectful. And it also means trying to see things from everyone’s point of view.
I think I can bring an open mind to the project.
Love,
Gabby
Vishal, Prianka
VISHAL
R U going 2 India 4 the summer
PRIANKA
IDK why
VISHAL
My mom said u r going w/ ur fam
She wants us to go 2
PRIANKA
Our moms are bffs now LOL
But IDK if I want 2 go
VISHAL
Why
PRIANKA
Want 2 b w/ my friends
Also so weird to stay in some1’s house for sooo long
I am always on edge, like I need to be perf there
VISHAL
Oh
U rlly luv emojis LOL
PRIANKA
Gtg supposed 2 b doing hw & my mom just caught me bye
Yorkville Middle School’s Spring Fair is coming up on May 1!
We need YOU to make it the best Spring Fair ever!
Please come to the planning meeting next Friday after school to share your ideas.
Go Yorkville!
Mr. Akiyama, Vice Principal
SILVER GIRLS
VICTORIA
Guys, r u going 2 the meeting 4 spring fair?
CECILY
Yesssssssss
PRIANKA
Same
GABRIELLE
Samey samey
From: Gabrielle Katz
To: Cecily Anderson, Prianka Basak
Subject: SUMMER CAMPING TRIP WOOOO HOOOO
Guys, let’s have a meeting with our moms to discuss the summer plans. It’ll be great. I think I’d rather spend the summer with you guys than with my dad. I see him every other night now and we have fun, but you guys are more fun. Don’t tell him. LOL.
OK, let’s discuss!
XOX ILYSM
Gabs
Vishal, Prianka
VISHAL
Yo
PRIANKA
Yo yo
VISHAL
Yo yo yo
PRIANKA
Ok
What up
VISHAL
Actually it is kind of serious—
u know my cousin Arjun who lives in fla
He keeps getting bullied
PRIANKA
WDYM
VISHAL
Like bullied bc peeps r saying he is muslim
He’s hindu btw
But WTH - bullied bc of religion
How messed up
PRIANKA
So awful
Also feels so crazy bc our journal thing @ school & what we r working on & stuff
Y’know
VISHAL
Yeah
I just feel so bad
PRIANKA
Me 2
I want 2 help
LUVVIIIEEESSSS
PRIANKA
I need 2 talk 2 u guys
Vishal is really upset for once
Like actually taking something seriously
CECILY
GABRIELLE
Sad again about no taco bar at lunch
PRIANKA
No 4 real
His cousin is getting bullied in fla
They think he is muslim (he’s hindu btw) but obv no1 should be bullied for religion n e way
CECILY
Or bullied 4 anything else duh
GABRIELLE
Yeah
What can we do
PRIANKA
IDK
They just assume his religion like based on what he looks like
I just feel so bad
GABRIELLE
Me 2
CECILY
WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A TASK FORCE TO HELP WITH THIS
IDK what we can do from so far away but we will think of something
PRIANKA
Brb
Vishal, Prianka
PRIANKA
We need 2 help ur cousin
VISHAL
IK
PRIANKA
No 4 real
Peeps can’t just get away w/ bullying some1 4 religion
& not even knowing what religion some1 is
Like not even taking time to find out & learn
I am going 2 think of something we can do
VISHAL
Thank u
VISHAL
IDK y people r like this
PRIANKA
Me neither
I’m so sorry
TASK FORCE
PRIANKA
Have u guys thought of any ideas
GABRIELLE
It’s been like 5 min
CECILY
Still thinking
PRIANKA
U guys, I need ur help
Cecily, Gabrielle
GABRIELLE
Cece, Pri is obv so upset
She’s barely using emojis
CECILY
LOL but u r right
GABRIELLE
From: Prianka Basak
To: Evelyn Brickfeld
Subject: Guidance Appointment
Dear Ms. Brickfeld:
I wondered if I can set a time to come in and talk to you. I have a study hall seventh period. Let me know if you are ever free at that time. I can also bring my lunch to your office during lunch. (If you don’t mind.)
Thank you,
Prianka Basak
Gabs, I am skipping study hall to go talk to Ms. Brickfeld. Also, can I borrow your red cardigan tomorrow? LOVE YOU BEYOND. xo Pri
HALL PASS
Prianka Basak has permission to leave study hall and speak to Ms. Brickfeld in the guidance office.
Mr. Surrey
Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria
GABRIELLE
Omg
We can use our comps in English now 4 in-class essays
I can totes iMessage u guys in class!!!!!!!!
Any1 getting these texts
Hi Journal:
I really hope this initiative helps people. I already think I am tolerant and understanding. And I haven’t had any problems with bullying here or anywhere.
But I am worried about Vishal’s cousin who is being bullied based on wha
t he looks like and what people think his religion is.
Maybe if his school had a program like this, it wouldn’t have happened.
I hope we can work together to stop this craziness.
Peace on earth!
Love & Hugs,
Prianka Basak,
the extraordinary
Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria
PRIANKA
Gabs! I forgot 2 turn my fone off and ur iMessage came thru during the math test
Was so loud
Mrs. Silverstein was SO mad
DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN
GABRIELLE
Sorrrryyyyyyy
Using comp in study hall now
Y r u texting in guidance?
PRIANKA
Waiting 2 go in
GABRIELLE
Put phone away
U will get in trouble again
PRIANKA
Bye
Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria
VICTORIA
Guys, just got these texts
Snuck 2 use my phone when I went 2 the bathroom
Bye
555-55
YORKVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEXT/EMAIL ALERT: Surprise! The PA is selling pizza in the lobby. Come by and grab a slice! #YorkvilleUnited #Pizza #Yum
From: Evelyn Brickfeld
To: Prianka Basak
Subject: Our meeting today
Dear Prianka,
I am so glad you stopped in today. I’m sorry about what is happening to Vishal’s cousin and I’m glad you felt comfortable coming to talk to me about it. Please come back to talk anytime. I’m glad you feel that our journal project is helping you express your feelings.
Ms. Brickfeld
Yo, Gabs—did you hear today’s lunch is pasta and garlic bread? i know it’s your fave. —Colin
Haha, no I hadn’t heard. How do you always know the lunch so early? It’s only first period. —Gabs
Haha—i guess cuz i’m always hungry. Also this class is sooooo boring.
I think it’s interesting—I like math. Back to paying attention. Bye