…Rushing down the long crowded snake hill was Ray and John first. I told them I would go last. Suddenly I see John Jump off the ground and over the stairs and does a 180 on the air and lands it and out of nowhere I see Ray do a short spin and lands it as well. They were waiting for me at the end of the hill, then I realize that is my turn now. Sweat starts to fall out from the sides of my head. My entire body was shaky. I go down the snake hill really fast. It was like a moment of silence, all I can hear was the wind streaming threw my ears. I was trying my best to concentrate but as I’m getting closer to the stairs I get a bad feeling in my stomach as if I know something is about to go wrong.

Out of nowhere when I go for the jump, the back wheel hits the rail of the stairs and made me slip. I crashed into the window of a parked car and fractured my elbow. I can remember just hearing the sound of the bone snap, and the sound of the car window breaking. Everybody in the streets seemed amused when I flipped off the bike. I turn to find Ray and John but they were already on the other side of the streets, laughing and pointing, and booking it down the sidewalk on their bikes…

This post is part of a series.

Anabel V.
Mr. Dickhudt’s 10th grade class

“OPEN UP THIS INSTANT!”

Never in my life did I think I would wake up early in the morning to such a thing.

“OPEN THE DOOR!”

Another loud thumping on the door, louder screams from the neighbors, more cries and more sirens outside in the streets. Who would have thought that all of this would be happening right at my own door? I knew something bad would eventually happen after all that I have been through but I never imagined being awakened at six in the morning by dozens of cops.

I should have known better. Sheesh, I feel stupid for ever listening to my cousin Michael. I roll over and notice that my little sister Karina is next to me. I totally forgot that she slept over the night prior. I get up from the bed and go to the door. The entire house is dark and all I can see are the cop lights reflecting through the windows and shinning on the walls. I lean up against the door to look through the peephole even though I already know who it is. It’s the cops.

“Shit meng” I say out loud to myself…

This post is part of a series.

We just received the final drafts of the student work from both programs, and we were completely floored by how far the students have come in improving their writing! So, starting today and continuing for the next few weeks, we will be featuring excerpts from both short story and investigative journalism pieces written by the high schoolers at CHAH. We hope that you’re as impressed by the students’ work as we are!

Selection from “Alley-Oop” by Adonis, 10th Grade

“Derrick, you do realize that 1 out of 100 Dominican basketball players actually make it to the NBA, so you better have a back up plan!”

“So wha chu sayin’? I don’t got no talent? What I’m not beast on the court?”

“You are missing the point Papi, it’s not just about being talented, it is about being the best and if you aren’t the best, then you should just forget it”.

That was the last day I ever spoke to my Pops about being a professional basketball player. I figured there was no point in talking; I just had to show him that my dreams weren’t just a figment of my imagination but foreshadowing my future.

After two years of waking up early, the humdrum of rigorous practice, and being the seniors’ bitch for the past few seasons, it was finally my time to shine. I am a senior now- that means more chicks, that means mad love from the little homies, and best of all NBA Scouts.

“It’s time,” the coach calls us in to the locker, and I start feeling butterflies in my stomach, all hyped.

“Are you guys ready!?”

“YES WE ARE!”

“So let’s go out there and KICK some ASS”.

Each book takes about 15 hours of time for a designer, spread over two or three weeks. We’re nearing the end of the school year, so in order to leave sufficient time for printing we are looking for someone to start right away.

This opportunity is perfect for someone who has a passion for education and literacy, but also an eye for design and skill with computers. While the volunteer can work from home, it is preferable that he/she live in or very near New York City.

The volunteer will need to be proficient in InDesign. Samples of past work are a plus.

You can check out examples of our student books here.

Volunteers will also be invited to attend the Book Celebration Party for the class whose book they design.  You can read more about past parties here.

Contact Ellen@behindthebook.org if you are interested in this position. Preference will be given to candidates who can show examples of past design work.

We would first like to take a moment to thank Caring Hands – an initiative of healthcare advertising agency Harrison and Star LLC – for their incredibly generosity; for the third year running they have sponsored the printing of the newsletter and we are so grateful for their continued support. Thank you Caring Hands!

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