Make De

li ci o u s
Cake Ba
lls!

Enter Our Writ

ing
Contest!

d f lo w
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Zoo!

er

Hi Everybody,

Sophia H.
is fourteen years
old and lives with
her younger
brother and three
younger sisters in
NH.
To share your
ideas, ask
questions or to
submit your
poem, story, joke,
or to become an
illustrator, email
her at
harnefamilia@
gmail.com

Hi!
I'm Carley the
Cockatoo. I am
hiding
somewhere in
this issue of Circle of Friends.
Can you find me?

This month's issue

features work from a
new writer and
illustrator, Lauren T.
Her story features the story of a boy named
Thomas Jefferson...who is definitely having a
bad day!
This month, you can also read a beginner's
guide to horses, written by author and
illustrator Annie S. For our crafty readers out
there, you can make a fun bird's nest collage.
And for our aspiring chefs, make your own
Yogurt Parfaits!
I hope you enjoy this issue of Circle of
Friends, and consider submitting something!
We do have a writing position available, so
email me some of your work if you're
interested. Enjoy this issue!

Sophia

April is national humor

month, so this challenge is
to give somebody a good
laugh. Check out a joke
book from your local
library, or look on the
internet for a list of
laughs. You can even try
making up a joke yourself! Tell them to your
parents, siblings, and friends, and watch as
they crack up.

Want to get a fun prize?

All you have to do is perform 7 or more of

the challenges in the 2015 issues, and then
send us an email with the list of the
challenges you completed at the end of the
year. Good luck!

!
I!stepped!outside!onto!our!
front&steps&and&deeply&inhaled&the&
fresh,'clean'spring'air.'Still'in'this'
refreshed'state,'I'walked'towards'
the$end$of$the$patio.$With$spring$
air$rushing$through$my$veins,$I$
began&to&run.&I&was&so&excited&and&
happy&and&then&I&splashed&into&a&

giant&mud&puddle&that&rose&up&to&my&
ankles.
!
Horrible!dirt!driveway!!I!muttered!
under&my&breath.&
!
My!happiness!was!now!gone!and!
frustration*was*sinking*in*with*my*mud*
covered'sneakers.'One'of'our'hens'
waddled&by&and&gave&me&a&look&that&

asked,'What'are'you'doing?'in'its'

asked,'What'are'you'doing?'in'its'
chicken'like)way.
!
Well,!what!are!you!looking!!
at?%I%demanded%of%the%bird.
!
If!a!chicken!could!shrug,!she!
did,$and$continued$to$peck$her$way$
around'the'monstrous'puddle.
!
Thomas!Jefferson!!Mom!cried!
as#she#came#out#the#door.#What#
happened?
!
I!grimaced.!I!hate!my!name!for!
obvious'reasons.'I'dont'mind'being'
called&Thomas,&Tom,&or&TJ,&but&my&
parents(insist(on(calling(me(and(my(
siblings'by'our'full'president'names,'
(which&we&all&hate)&except&for&
Mikayla'who'got'lucky'because'
there%havent%been%any%women%
presidents)yet.)The)oldest)of)us)is,)
of#course,#George#Washington.#
Then%comes%John%Adams,%next%is%
me,$MK$(as$Mikayla$prefers$to$be$
called),(James(Madison,(and(lastly(
Martin'Van'Buren.'I'know;'its'odd.'
!
My!parents!named!us!three!
older&boys&in&order&of&the&
presidencies)and)Martin)out)of)

order.&I&guess&they&didnt&want&another&
James&and&John.&In&my&opinion,&I&think&
that$MK$got$the$best$name.$MK$is$a$bit$
of#a#tom'boy#because#she#has#all#
brothers.)Sadly,)she)and)I)look)like)we)
could&be&twins.&She&is&exactly&the&same&
height&as&me,&and&we&the&same&color&of&
hair%and%eyes%we%even%wear%the%same%
size%of%shoes.%Its%that%bad!
!
Thomas!Jefferson!Mom!exclaimed!
again.&Did&you&hear&me?
!
Sorry,!Mom,!I!apologized.!I!guess!I!
wasnt'paying'attention'to'where'I'was'
going%and%ran%into%this%mud%puddle.
!
Oh!dear!!Now!your!sneakers!are!all!
dirty.'Never'mind.'Climb'out'of'that'
puddle&and&get&a&clean&pair.&Make&sure&
you$take$them$off$outside$the$door.$Ill$
be#waiting#for#you#in#the#car,#Mom#said#
all#this#while#inching#her#way#around#the#
lake'that'I'was'making'my'way'out'of.
!
I!quickly!squished!up!the!steps!and!
took$my$muddy$sneakers$off$at$the$door.$
Going&inside,&I&thundered&upstairs,&
snatched)a)fresh)pair)of)socks,)thundered)
back%down,%and%grabbed%the%first%pair%of%
shoes%that%came%into%reach.%Hurriedly,%I%

slipped'them'on,'and'ran'out'the'
door,%cautiously%avoiding%the%
swamp.'I'jumped'into'the'car'and'
Mom$and$I$raced$out$of$the$
driveway.*Glancing*at*the*clock,*I*
noticed(that(I(was(going(to(be(late.(
I"sighed.
!
Now,!Thomas!Jefferson,!I!
hope%youre%not%nervous%for%soccer%
tryouts.(I( know!youll!do!great,!
Mom$encouraged.
!
Thanks,!Mom,!I!responded.!!!!
But%when%we%get%there,%please%%%
dont&call&me&by&my&entire&
president)name.)Its)kind)of)
embarrassing,I,trailed,off.,
!
Okay,!Thomas,!she!said,!kind!
of#smiling.
!
I!smiled!back,!relieved.!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks,)Mom.
!
We!arrived!five!minutes!late.!
Luckily,)they)were)still)checking)
people%in.%As%I%climbed%out%of%the%
car,%I%looked%down%at%my%shoes.%To%
my#dismay,#they#were#hot#pink#and#
white;'MKs'shoes.'She'may'be'a'
tom$boy,(but(she(is(still(a(girl.(
!

Suddenly(feeling(very(self/conscious(of(
my#footwear,#I#quickly#found#a#mud#
puddle&and&scooped&goopy&mud&over&&
MKs%two)day%old%the%sneakers.%"MK#is#
going%to%kill%me!I!mournfully!thought.
!
Thomas!Jeff!Thomas!!I!thought!
you$changed$your$shoes?$Mom$noticed,$
observing*my*sisters*muddy*sneakers.
!
I!did,!I!said,!nervously.!I!didnt!
want%her%to%know%they%were%MKs%shoes.%
!
You!boys!and!mud!puddles!!Youre!
all#going#to#wreck#your#shoes,#She#
scolded.
!
I!cringed!with!guilt.!Mom!checked!
me#in,#while#I#joined#the#rest#of#the#
hopeful(participants.(As(we(ran(laps(
around'the'field,'I'caught'up'to'my'friend'
Scott.&
!
Dude,!he!said,!looking!down!at!my!
feet,%what%happened%to%your%shoes?%Did%
you$step$in$mud$or$something?
!
Something!like!that,!I!mumbled.!
!
While!Mom!drove!us!home,!I!stared!
sullenly'out'the'window.'
!
Did!you!have!a!good!time!at!
tryouts?)Mom)asked.)Youre)being)very)
quiet&over&there.

!
Well,!to!celebrate!your!first!
time%trying%out%for%soccer,%were%
going%to%stop%at%Lone%Cone%for%
some%ice%cream.
!
I!perked!up.!Wow!!Thanks,!
Mom!&I&exclaimed.
!
Hands!down,!Lone!Cone!is!the!

best%place%to%get%ice%cream.%We%pulled%
into%the%parking%lot%and%noticed%the%sign.%
!
Oh!dear,!sighed!Mom,!
theyre(closed(for(the(season.(Ill(pick(up(
some%ice%cream%at%the%store%next%week,%
okay?
!
Okay,!I!said,!disappointed.

!
When!we!got!home,!I!ascended!
the$steps$sorrowfully.
!
! What&a&rotten&day,!I!
thought.' First'I'step'in'a'mud'
puddle,'then'I'wear'MKs'sneakers'
to#soccer#tryouts,#and#finally,#we#
cant&get&ice&cream&because&Lone&
Cone%is%closed!%What%next?
!
Still!depressed,!I!opened!the!
door.%Smack!%Something%silver%and%
white&was&flung&into&my&face.&
Something*oozed*down*my*T0shirt;*
my#favorite#T-shirt.#The#silver#thing,#
(which&was&a&pie&tin)&fell&off,&
revealing)the)mischievous)and)
gleeful&faces&of&MK&and&Martin.
!!!!!Ha,!ha!!Gotcha!!cried!MK,!
turning'and'high+fiving'Martin'who'
was$doubled$over$laughing.$
!!!!!Its!not!funny!!I!yelled!angrily,!
making'them'laugh'harder.
Seriously+guys!+What+is+this+stuff+
anyway?'I'spluttered'while'flinging'
white&foam&off&of&my&face&and&
scraping)it)off)of)my)shirt.)
!!!!!Still!cackling,!MK!managed!to!
gasp%shaving%cream%before%falling%

back%into%gales%of%laughter.%Enraged,%I%
kicked&off&the&muddy&shoes&and&stomped&
upstairs(to(the(bedroom(that(George,(
John,&and&I&share.&
!!!!!I!entered!the!room!and!observed!
John%lying%on%his%bed%reading%my%
favorite)book,)which)I)had)bought)a)copy)
of#last#summer.#
!!!!!John!Adams!!I!bellowed.!We!only!
use$full$president$names$when$were$
really&angry&with&each&other.&What&are&
you$doing$with$my$book?$I$dont$seem$to$
remember%you%asking%to%borrow%it.
!!!!!Hey,!calm!down!!I!was!curious!as!to!
why$you$like$ The$Hound$of$the$
Baskervilles!so!much,!so!I!decided!to!
read%it.%I%didnt%think%you%would%mind%I%
cut$him$off.$
!!!!!Mind?! Mind?"You"didnt"think"I"
would& mind?"Thats"one"of"my"most"
prized'possessions!'How'could'you?'I'
exploded.(
!!!!!Yeesh!!What!got!under!your!skin?!
John%asked.
!!!!!AUUUUUUUGGG!!I!yelled,!jumping!
on#my#bed#and#burying#my#face#in#my#
pillow.'I'heard'John'leave.

!!!!!A!few!minutes!later,!MK!
knocked'at'the'door.'Hey'TJ,'she'
said,&whats&up?&Why&are&you&so&
upset?'It'was'just'a'joke
!!!!!No,!it!wasnt!that,!I!explained,!
sitting&up.&Ive&just&been&having&a&
really&bad&day.&I&shared&my&terrible&
day,%leaving%out%the%part%about%her%
sneakers.
!!!!!Well,!look!on!the!bright!side,!
MK#optimistically#said,#You#could#
have%skinned%your%
knee,%Martin%and%I%
could&have&used&mud&
instead(of(shaving(
cream,'(sorry'about'
that,%by%the%way)%or%
you$could$have$had$to$
go#to#tryouts#with#wet#
and$muddy$shoes.$
!!!!!I!smiled.!Thanks,!
MK!%I%got%up%to%
leave,&but&my&
conscience'was'killing'
me,$so$I$turned$back.$$$

!!!!!"MK,!I!have!a!confession!to!make,!I!
sheepishly(began.(Those(dry(shoes(that(I(
wore%were%your%shoes;%the%new%ones%
with%the%hot%pink%stripes%I%was%
embarrassed(about(the(pink(so(I(put(mud(
on#them#to#cover#it#up.#Im#really#sorry.#
!!!!!Horror!passed!over!MKs!face.!Staring!
at#me#in#disbelief,#she#said#slowly,#You#
WHAT???'

THE$END

Large paper plate

Brown paint
Thin brown tissue paper
Yellow paper
Brightly colored paper
Googly eyes
Glue
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk

1. Paint the back of the plate brown and leave to dry. As soon as the plate is
dry, cut it in half.
2. Next, cut the brown paper into strips and glue them to the plate. Don't
worry about gluing all the edges as you want it to look sort of messy, like
sticks in a nest.
3. Glue the plate in the middle a white piece of paper.
4. cut out three ovals from the brightly colored paper, and glue them to the
white sheet. A little less than half of the oval should be behind the brown
plate.
5. Cut three beaks from the yellow paper and glue them on the ovals.
6. Add googly eyes
7. Hang up your finished collage!

Can you solve these Random Riddles? Use the decoder on the left to solve the
riddles below: Answers on the bottom of the page.

1. What do you think we are doing?

2.

Who does Tim think

he is?

Boiling Maple-Syrup, Daniel-Boone

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ-

This amazing
animal is the
largest member
of the cat family,
and is one of the
world's largest
and strongest
pretadors. It's
ancestor, the
saber-toothed
tiger had 11 inch
canines, the
longest of any in
the saber-toothed
cat family.

Photo from: www.wikipedia.com

Tigers are one of the top

ten strongest and most
powerful animals in the
world. The Bengal Tiger,
the largest of the species,
measures 8.9 10 ft in
length and 3 - 3.6 ft in
height.
www.wikipedia.com

A white
version of the
Bengal Tiger,
is shown to the
right. This
pigment
variation
occurs very
rarely.

Breeding summer

Passage visitor

Winter visitor
Breeding resident

www.wikipedia.com

- Like their relatives, the domestic cats,

tigers can purr!
- Unlike other cats, tigers are good
swimmers and often cool off in lakes
and streams during the heat of the day.
- No two tigers have exactly the same
stripes.
- Although Bengal tigers can move
powerfully and swiftly over short distances, they are not good at long
distance running and cannot outrun prey such as a deer. It relies more
on stealth to catch it's prey, sneaking up on it and pouncing.
www.wikipedia.com

www.wikipedia.com

Yee-haw! Almost everybody has seen cowboy movies with the cowboys wearing western

the$air$under$the$stars$until$at$last$the$sun$rose$and$they$all$flew$home.$
hats and cowboy boots and riding horses rounding up cows or whatever. The way they are
Before&he&knew&it,&Mango&was&snuggling&next&to&Fionas&warm&feathers&and&
riding is called Western riding. Theres another type of riding though, and this can be seen
dreaming)about)all)three)of)his)new)(magical))friends.)
in horse racing, show jumping, dressage and other popular horse riding competitions. This
!!!Lets!race!before!the!zookeepers!arrive!!Mango!challenged!the!griffin,!who!
type is English riding. Although these two types of riding look different, they both are
grinned'at'him'and'exclaimed'an'agreement'over'the'whistling'wind.'The'
horse riding and can be confused.
three%friends%raced%and%played%in%the%air%under%the%stars%until%at%last%the%son%
rose%and%they%all%flew%home.%Before%he%knew%it,%Mango%was%snuggling%next%to%
One major difference between these two different types of riding is the tack. Western tack
Fionas(warm(feathers(and(dreaming(about(all(of(his(new(magical(friends.

has larger saddles with saddle horns (a high bump for hanging ropes or holding on to in
the front), bridles without nosebands and reins that are not directly attached to the bit
(the metal mouthpiece of the bridle) and have the sides unattached, and larger saddle
blankets. English riding
has small saddles with
short stirrups (where
you put your leg), small
saddle pads, and bridles
with nosebands and the
reins attached.
Most riders start with
Western riding since it
is more comfortable
and easier to adapt
to while English riding
is more demanding.

Background from www.PD4pic.org

THE$END

However, if

the$air$under$the$stars$until$at$last$the$sun$rose$and$they$all$flew$home.$
someone wants to
Before&he&knew&it,&Mango&was&snuggling&next&to&Fionas&warm&feathers&and&
know both styles, its
dreaming)about)all)three)of)his)new)(magical))friends.)
easier
to make a
!!!Lets!race!before!the!zookeepers!arrive!!Mango!challenged!the!griffin,!who!
transition
from English
grinned'at'him'and'exclaimed'an'agreement'over'the'whistling'wind.'The'
to
Western than
three%friends%raced%and%played%in%the%air%under%the%stars%until%at%last%the%son%
Western
to English.
rose%and%they%all%flew%home.%Before%he%knew%it,%Mango%was%snuggling%next%to%
Fionas(warm(feathers(and(dreaming(about(all(of(his(new(magical(friends.

Another major
difference is the types
of activities each type
of riding has. Western
activities tend to be
more, well, cowboy-like. It includes cutting (keeping a calf from its herd), reining (its like
dressage and has the horse go through specific movements including the spins and sliding
stops), and barrel racing (the horse races around three barrels). English riding has show
jumping (a competition where horses jump over fences), horse racing, and dressage
(horse follows a set pattern of movements, including circles, straight lines, and changes of
pace and direction...some horses called Lipizzaners do some really amazing moves called
airs above the ground).
Finally, there is how to ride English or Western. English riders guide the horse by leg
movements, the reins, and balance. Western riders control the horse by seat, weight, and
neck-reining (the rider holds the reins with one hand and if they want the horse to go a
certain direction, they rest the reins on the opposite side of the horses neck they want to
go).

Background from www.PD4pic.org

THE$END

hig

Oh no! The descriptions and the drawings that go with them are all mixed up. Can you

the$air$under$the$stars$until$at$last$the$sun$rose$and$they$all$flew$home.$
match the following desciptions to the right horses? Answers
Before&he&knew&it,&Mango&was&snuggling&next&to&Fionas&warm&feathers&and&
Cold-Blooded
dreaming)about)all)three)of)his)new)(magical))friends.)
A
This type of horse was raised in
!!!Lets!race!before!the!zookeepers!arrive!!Mango!challenged!the!griffin,!who!
colder climates and bred for
grinned'at'him'and'exclaimed'an'agreement'over'the'whistling'wind.'The'
three%friends%raced%and%played%in%the%air%under%the%stars%until%at%last%the%son%
strength and calmness. They often
rose%and%they%all%flew%home.%Before%he%knew%it,%Mango%was%snuggling%next%to%
have a lot of hair, including
Fionas(warm(feathers(and(dreaming(about(all(of(his(new(magical(friends.
feathers by their feet. Some pony

breeds are in this category. Some

cold-blooded breeds are: Shires,
Friesians, Haflingers, Gypsy Vanners,
Suffolk Punches, and even Shetland
Ponies.

Warm-Blooded
These horses are a cross between
cold-blooded horses and hot-blooded
horses. They are generally intelligent
with good strength and stamina.
There are many different warmblooded breeds, which includes some
pony breeds, but some are: American
Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Dales
Ponies, Morgans, and Rocky Mountain
Horses.

Background from www.PD4pic.org

THE$END

the$air$under$the$stars$until$at$last$the$sun$rose$and$they$all$flew$home.$
Hot-Blooded
Before&he&knew&it,&Mango&was&snuggling&next&to&Fionas&warm&feathers&and&
These fine-haired horses were raised in hot
dreaming)about)all)three)of)his)new)(magical))friends.)
climates and generally are built for speed
!!!Lets!race!before!the!zookeepers!arrive!!Mango!challenged!the!griffin,!who!
and endurance. Also, they tend to act "hot."
grinned'at'him'and'exclaimed'an'agreement'over'the'whistling'wind.'The'
They are high strung with often fiery
three%friends%raced%and%played%in%the%air%under%the%stars%until%at%last%the%son%
tempers! There are not many hot-blooded
rose%and%they%all%flew%home.%Before%he%knew%it,%Mango%was%snuggling%next%to%
breeds but some are: Arabians,
Fionas(warm(feathers(and(dreaming(about(all(of(his(new(magical(friends.

Thoroughbreds, and Barbs.

THE$END

About the Author and Illustrator: Annie is a fun-loving

girl who is obsessed with anything to do with animals.
She loves to draw - digitally and traditionally - and write
and read books. She also enjoys responsibility, helping
people, making new friends and having fun with friends.

Background from www.PD4pic.org

For more kid safe horse facts, visit the following parent approved websites:
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/horse.html
http://www.ducksters.com/animals/horse.php
For horse history visit:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/environment/horses.htm#!
For fun quizzes, facts, and puzzles visit: http://horses4kids.com

Answers: A = Warm Blooded, B = Hot-Blooded, C = Cold-Blooded

Can you solve the following spring puzzles?

Answers are at the bottom of each page.

Can you unscramble the

following words?

(1. faDfdoisl
(2. hiccsk
(3. stEear gegs

Hint: They all have something to

(4. aRin

do with spring.

(5. lTupis
(6. nnuesiB

Puzzle submited by
Meg H. Age 13.
Answer at the bottom of the page.

(7. unS-ihneS
(8. pSngir
(9. Curcos
(10. idrBs

(1. Daffodils (2. Chicks (3. Easter eggs (4. Rain (5. Tulips (6. Bunnies (7. SunShine (8. Spring (9. Crocus (10. Birds

Can you match the stages in making maple

syrup to the pictures on the right?
(1. Sap dripping
into the pots
(2.Buckets full of
sap and ready for
boiling

A.

B.

(3. Getting the fire

started
(4. Our tall smoke
stack
(5. Draining the
C.

sap into the

D.

evaporator pan
(6. Finished maple
syrup

E.

F.

C 6. = D
1. = A 2. = F 3. = B 4.= E 5. =

A shining sun
A gentle breeze
A beautiful day

Clouds part
The sun comes out
A rainbow appears
All is wet
A fresh new smell
The rain has stopped

Directions

In a large glass,
layer 1 cup
yogurt, 1/2 cup
granola and 4
blackberries.
Repeat layers.

Recipe and photos from www.allrecipes.com

Variations: Try
different types of
berries! Blueberries,
raspberries,
blackberries, chopped
strawberries, or a
combination.

2 cups vanilla yogurt

1 cup granola
8 blackberries

This%Month's%Contest%is%a%Solar%System%Contest.%
The$rules$are$below.$
My"Very$Excellent'Mother&Just$Served%Us"Nine$Pizzas.&That%sentence%by%itself%
may$not$make$much$sense,$but$it's$not$supposed$to.$Each$of$the$first$letters$of$
the$words$in$this$sentence$represents$a$planet$in$our$solar$system:$Mars,%Venus,&
Earth,&Mercury,'Jupiter,(Saturn,'Uranus,'Neptune,'Pluto
1. Now it's your turn! Come up with your own sentence to represent the
planets using the letters MVEMJSUNP to represent Mars, Venus, Earth
Mercury Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune, Pluto
2. Send it. Mail your sentence to:
Circle of Friends
P.O. Box 210
Warner NH 03278.
OR
4. Email it. Email your sentence along with your name, age, and what state
you live in to: harnefamilia@gmail.com
One entry per person.
I need your entry by May 20th.
PRIZES!: There are 3 age categories: 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16. There will be 1
prize awarded in each category. The winners will be published in an upcoming
issue!

Good$Luck!

I looked last at it.

Never to be looked again
A drop of tear on the page
Once a loves token
To a hatreds mark
My heart yearned for something or someone
To heal the hurt that was done wrong.
My eyes closed for quite a time
My heart, beckoned by the sunlight
I looked to the sun; his face shining in mine
He gave me hope
He gave me strength
To love what I lost
To love on
From which the ashes rise
My heart will soar to lands afar
Into the hands of one
Who shall treasure me,
As one and only
Beloved afar.

Editor in Chief
Sophia H. 14
Writing/Illustrating Team 1
Writer: Elise G. 14
Illustrator: Elliana M. 12
Writing/Illustrating Team 2
Writer/Illustrator: Lauren T. 14
Writing/Illustrating Team 3
Writer/Illustrator: Annie S. 13
Writing/Illustrating Team 4
Writer: Sophia H. 14
Illustrator: Sarah F. 11
Writing/Illustrating Team 5
Writer: Mary Grace K. 12
Illustrator: Illinca D. 11
Science Editor
Adam N. Age 8

Photographers
Moriah M. 16
Gabby B. 11
Cynthia P. 13
Poetry Illustrator
Meg H. 13
Riddles/Games Editor
Molly H. 11
Recipe Page Editor
Camelia F. 10
Editor Emeritus
Amy N. 17
Animal Page Editor
Bella F. 10
Craft Page Editor
Lydia F. 8

Moriah is a photography crazy girl who loves

kids! She enjoys a very busy life with a large
family. She loves the little things in life and is
said to be a bubbly and happy person!