Kids` Reviews
My kids are avid readers and have been plowing their way through a variety of books this summer. They are always eager to find the next series to pull them into a new fantasy land of some sort -- Harry Potter, Percy Jackson..whatever it is, they jump in and fully join the fantasy at hand.
However great their love of reading is though, their love of writing is something more questionable...so this summer I have encouraged them to become "reviewers" -- wending their way through the summer reviewing restaurants, books, movies, sporting events...anything that will tempt them to set pen to paper. So, as a result of my own bribery -- I have told them I`d publish their work here, something cool about being "published" I guess -- I invite you to bribe your own brood with the same and email it in to us! I will publish any submissions and your kids can get the reward of seeing their work published here.
Photo accompanyment welcome...just submit any content by email to gretchen@essentialmom.com. Please include child`s name and age. Multiple submissions welcome. Happy reviewing!
BEST REVIEW BY SUMMER`S END WILL RECEIVE A $20 BORDERS GIFT CERTIFICATE!
X GAMES XVI, by Tucker M, Age 10
In two weeks, the world`s best will come to Los Angeles to compete in the X Games, the Olympics of BMXers, skateboarders, FMXers, MotoXers, and Ralliers. This year`s Games are bound to be one of the best ever. Athletes will compete for the thing that they have trained for throughout months. That one thing: The Gold.
In the past, there were many medal events that don`t exist now. Now, there are many events that didn`t exist then. There are even two events that didn`t exist even last year, Skateboard Real Street, and SuperRally.
There are many challenging ramps and courses this year, but the one everyone is anxious to see in action is the Park course. Massive features, ridiculous lines, and everything there is, this may be the highlight of this year. Challengers to this course include defending gold medalists Rune Glifberg and Scotty Cranmer, silver medalists Andy Macdonald and Diogo Canina, and bronze medal wearers Chad Bartie and Gary Young.
My predictions for this year are: Skateboard: Gold: Ryan Sheckler, Silver: Rune Glifberg, Bronze: Bucky Lasek BMX: Gold: Daniel Dhers, Silver: Scotty Cranmer, Bronze: Diogo Canina. The X Games will be held August 28 - September 1, at the Staples Center, Home Depot Center, and the Event Plaza, televised on ESPN & ESPN2.
Connor S., Age 12
Favorite books from 4th through 6th grade:
39 Clues series (various authors -- all same series). A race against your own relatives to solve the most important riddle in history.
Alex Rider series - Anthony Horowitz. Regular teen becomes British spy working for secret govt. agency.
Cirque du Freak series- Darren Shan. Nail-biting horror suspense that mixes with a great story line that carries through the whole series.
Artemis Fowl series - Eoin Colfer. I don`t remember what they`re about.
Moose Tooth Grill, Lake George, NY
On a beautiful July day, I happened to find myself at the Moose Tooth Grill. With many choices and great interior featuring a huge tree supporting the front desk, this is a great family option in Lake George Village, and it sure is a fun destination. I absolutely loved the raccoon on the shelf and the roosters all over the place, and the massive fish behind the bar. Look out for the squirrel!
I had the crispy chicken sandwich, and brought along my cousin, Little P, and my brother Brody. They share a brain, so it was no surprise when they ordered the exact same thing: chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks. The chicken wasn`t the best I`ve had, but it was pretty good anyway. The fries were good, and the mozzarella stick part was great except I burnt myself from the juice inside. The root beer was so good! I think that may have been the best part.
Here is the description of their very, very tasty root beer on the drink menu.
"Moose Wizz Root Beer -- Made with all natural ingredients. Real cane sugar, wintergreen oil, vanilla, clove oil, and Lake George Water, of course!"
I give this an 8/10 rating, and I recommend this as a good family stop.
- From the desk of Tucker Menzies, Age 10