Student authors are "Taking the World By Storm!" in America, Great Britain and The Netherlands.
"Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." - Malala Yousafzai illustrates why worldwide partnerships between schools can make a difference. This year for the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims' landing in the US, students in Leiden, the Netherlands, have joined the Plymouth UK-US partnership. Leiden was where the Pilgrims initially settled in search of religious freedom, and they brought traditions from their time there to their final destination in America. Teachers are thrilled that this year's edition of the Plymouth Anthology of Young People's Writing includes the work of current students from Leiden and Plymouth UK and Plymouth US.
In this 5th edition students in three countries have been encouraged to submit poems and short stories for consideration, and winning entries have been selected. US high school Art students have created illustrations to accompany those pieces that inspire them. These students are all "Taking the World By Storm!".
Read this example:
The Sand Fades Away
Kept saying "No!" Kept dealing blows
To your image, your need which still shows
Traces of Shouting: shame, shame, shame...
Yet, no one dares take on your burden, who's to blame?
Like sand the drowned boy fades away
As he could not and would not, with us stay
Nor linger here in eternal conclusion
But a memory, our self image, both an illusion.
Sybrandt van Luik, Age 17
© Sybrand van Luik, Marleen Spierings © Plymouth Anthology of Young People's Writing
From The Netherlands, we thank all the student authors and artists. Their talent, creativity and enthusiasm can light the way to a new world of hope and possibilities. We thank Lisa M. White, Ph.D. and K-12 English Language Arts and Library Media Curriculum Coordinator. From Leiden City Education, Leiden Museum Debate Challenges, and De Leidse Aanpak, we thank the VPA Department, led by Mike Caple. Sarah Reichert and Jennifer Nolan from the Academic Coordinators' Office, Eric and Laura Swartz, and Plymouth Public Schools US and Plymouth Schools UK, and the Rijnlands Lyceum in The Netherlands.
© Lisa M. White © Marleen Spierings