lit mag winter 2022

WINTER 2022 • JTOWN MS/HS LIT MAG WRITING, ART, AND PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVAN MCCALL

See more on our website: jtownlitmag.weebly.com MEMBERS Mrs. Hackett (Club Sponsor) Lulu Pettit (Editor in Chief) Ada Kimball Julia Lester Clara Luby Callum Otieno Charlotte Steinhauer Sundra Tamaccio Eislyn Hopkins Nick Sobolewski Teddy Stadanlick Evan McCall (Jr Editor) Nina Costandino (Jr Editor) CLUB INFO The Jenkintown Literary Magazine meets every Monday in Mrs. Hackett's room at 7:20am. Follow @jtown.lit.mag on Instagram for meeting updates. Email [email protected] or [email protected] for more. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADA KIMBALL

Torn in Two by Teddy Stadanlick It’s not for lack of effort or respect or consideration Fifteen minutes Well, actually it is for lack of effort. is all it takes But not for lack of respect or consideration to tear me in half. I just don’t want to put the effort in, I watched it happen. Because I don’t care So... I don’t The wind, launching trees The hail, deafeningly loud, the rain, drowning out my voice and before I knew it, I had snapped. My childhood, and two giant trees, were gone. And my tears were covered by the foliage Untitled by Callum Otieno Mabey I don’t want to talk Ever think of that “I’ll ask for quotations than you did, keep the conversion going” Well, Mabey I don’t care, I dint actually care Or want to talk I guess I am just more introverted than others But the truth is I DON’T want to talk I just don’t want to PHOTOGRAPHY BY NINA COSTANDINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLOTTE STEINHAUER

BLOG SPOTLIGHT: TO ALL THE BOOKS I'VE READ BEFORE by Lulu Pettit Alcott history lesson, for those of you who didn't read my six page Little Women analysis. Today, we're talking about a very controversial Louisa May Alcott released the first half of YA. Usually, I review fan-favorites, bestsellers Little Women in September 1868. She loosely with a soon-to-be TV or movie adaptation (I based it off of her own family life, and it see you, Shadow and Bone). Most of the time, I became clear that independent heroine Jo love it—or, on some occasions, I hate it so was supposed to be a fictionalized version of much that it makes me want to scream. Alcott herself. The novel was a huge hit, and But today is different. I'm reviewing a book I many readers wrote to Alcott asking what loved but most people wouldn't give the time happened to the characters after the book. of day, a real immediate one star moment on Alcott had wanted the focus to be on Jo's Goodreads. We're talking about Jo & Laurie by strength, but instead, readers were more Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz. concerned about whether Jo and Laurie ever Not ringing a bell? No? It released last June get married. This angered Alcott, who didn't with a decent-sized audience. (If it helps, want her own life to be about marriage. Goodreads recommends Elephant and Piggie: In real life, Alcott never married, but in the Listen to My Trumpet and Grandma's Purse, so second part of the novel, which released it's probably a book mostly read by parents— about half a year later in April 1869, all of the or three year olds!) With two huge names living March sisters are paired off. Jo ends up attached to it, the book wasn't too hard to find with an old German man named Friedrich on shelves, especially if you knew to look for Bhaer who insults her writing and is decades it, but I didn't get my hands on a copy until a older than her—what a catch! He's the kind of few months ago. I thought it would be my character you pretend never existed. It's the favorite book. It's a rewrite of Little Women set kind of romance that makes the reader want after the real-world first half of the book to focus on anything but romance. released (as a novel by Jo March) and while Jo There's a theory that Alcott was forced to is writing the second half (the thing is, she introduce a love interest for Jo, or it wouldn't altered their lives, so what is canon in our be published. Considering the time period, world and canon in the book Jo writes in Jo & that sounds reasonable. Especially when you Laurie aren't actually always canon in the Jo & consider that Laurie and Amy, of all people, Laurie world—I know, confusing to explain). end up together. Laurie literally never gave Stohl and de la Cruz's writing quality was Amy a second glance in the first novel, and decent and the fresh look on the characters then the reader is supposed to accept that really elevated the entire story, but because of they magically fell in love while he was looking a little stress around the midway point, it only for a rebound in Paris? Yeah, right. Had Alcott got four stars from me. written for a modern audience that could First, however, I want to talk about the accept a female protagonist with both a controversy. Many readers hated Jo & Laurie strong career and a compelling love interest, it before they'd even read it. They believed Stohl wouldn't be so far-fetched to say that she and de la Cruz were disrespecting Louisa May would have put Laurie and Jo together. Alcott's wishes by changing the story. But do they actually know what happened? CONTINUE READING ON OUR WEBSITE!

Equinox by Teddy Stadanlick The Sobering feeling, realizing that summer is gone, May leave you reeling, or turn the heat on, but Nature's cycle cannot be stopped, And the crisp fall air cannot be topped, Where natures many colors come into bloom, and the scents of apple cider fill up rooms, and the warmth of summer is gone - but it will come back soon. So take in the autumn chill and watch the many colors in the trees, and please, rake your leaves. ARTWORK BY CLARA LUBY PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUNDRA TAMACCIO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADA KIMBALL

Book Review by Nina Costandino The ball passed without much trouble and Ms. Woodhouse’s calmness was restored until the --Highbury Herald-- next night, when a crisis came knocking at the Just Married- Emma Woodhouse + George door. Knightley Harriet Smith, an intimate friend of Ms. By Nina Costandino Woodhouse’s, stepped into the entrance hall Current Events Reporter of Hartfield, looking thoroughly dishevelled. November 2nd, 1815 After an hour of weeding the story out of her, The big news in the small town of Highbury is Ms. Smith had proclaimed that she had run that Ms. Emma Woodhouse- clever, rich, and into a colony of gipsies when coming home beautiful- has found love in Mr. George from the Westons’ ball. They bombarded her Knightley of Donwell Abbey. The couple was even after she gave them money, walking with recently married after a long year of her into town until Mr. Churchill came to her hardships and difficult choices for Ms. rescue. When Ms. Smith returned to Hartfield Woodhouse, who has been saying for some a few days later, fully recovered, she started time that she would not marry. to reveal to Ms. Woodhouse that she had We start Ms. Woodhouse’s story as the news fallen in love with someone! Ms. Woodhouse that Frank Churchill is returning to Highbury cut her off before she could name him reaches to her. About a month before, Mr. because Ms. Woodhouse knew she had a Churchill was fortunate enough to escape his tendency to make matches and didn’t want to dreadful guardian- Mrs. Churchill- who also interfere with Ms. Smith’s love life (Ms. happens to be his aunt, and spend some time Woodhouse did have an inkling that Mr. with his father and step-mother. The Westons’ Churchill was Ms. Smith’s object, though). spring ball was postponed when Mr. Churchill Unfortunately, Ms. Smith would not obtain was abruptly called back home because of his her wish because Mr. Churchill was taken. aunt’s “sudden illness”. The Churchills were to A few weeks later, much had progressed be in London for some time on the doctor’s between the young adults of Highbury: Mr. orders- however, Mrs. Churchill changed Knighley told Ms. Woodhouse that he thought course again and set out for the town of Mr. Churchill was double-crossing her, a Richmond, which happened to be close to group of villagers ventured to Donwell Abbey Highbury. Mr. Churchill could finally be and Box Hill, Ms. Woodhouse tried in vain to spared, so the ball was back on, but Ms. coax Ms. Fairfax,the niece/grandchild of a Woodhouse was apprehensive as she local family, into spending some time with suspected that Mr. Churchill had been in love her. Finally, Ms. Woodhouse received a letter with her during his last visit. “But if he [Mr. from Mrs. Weston that contained a letter from Churchill], who had undoubtedly been always Mr. Churchill. In the letter, Mr. Churchill so much the most in love of the two, were to confesses that he and Ms. Fairfax have been be returning with the same warmth of secretly engaged for almost a year! “I was sentiment, which he had taken away, it would fortunate enough to prevail, before we parted be very distressing,” said Ms. Woodhouse in at Weymouth, and to induce the most upright an interview with the Highbury Herald a few female mind in the creation to stoop in charity weeks previous. The Westons made to a secret engagement,” wrote Mr. Churchill reservations for the Crown Inn, and Ms. in his letter. Ms. Woodhouse was shocked by Woodhouse was busy night and day while she the new development, and nervous to break helped plan the big day. Ms. Woodhouse the news to Ms. Smith. However, Ms. managed to persuade her father to allow her Woodhouse had nothing to fear. to attend the ball, so the next night, she stepped out of the Hartfield carriage in a CONTINUE READING ON OUR WEBSITE! beautiful gown, all eyes on her.

Dis-Association by Clara Luby PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVAN MCCALL It's the sound of tv static September 20th by Anonymous It's visual snow filling you vision until your reality blurs A whistle in the woods, as if butter were smeared over the camera a whisper in the wild; lens, only you're not a camera, are you? The trees fall in line And you're floating as the autumn breeze and you're falling ruffles feathers, and it's warm bristles pines, and you're freezing moves the air in strange directions. and it's light and it's heavy Sudden gusts of wind and it's sickening, wreak havoc on the beauty of the scene: but it's the only time you feel healthy, mysterious, and it should be terrifying, ominous, but as you wrest yourself charming. from reality, you're at peace for a moment. Drifting. Alice in Wonderland, having a happy dream just this once. Or has it been a day by now? A week..? The landscape falls and melts away. Something touches your hand and you feel like crying. You're falling, but in the opposite direction. You're flying, but in the opposite direction. You're dizzy, spinning, drowning. What day is it? Like a deer in headlights, the leaves stop; Fallen branches don’t touch the ground, for the layer of leaves is a barrier to the earth. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LULU PETTIT There is only a cold whistle, an unknown whisper. Trees are skeletons, swaying in the crisp air; Undisturbed, untouched. The frame is frozen in ice.

BLOG SPOTLIGHT: ELEMENTARY CONTRIBUTIONS Laughing in the Dark by Ellory Meyers ARTWORK BY SKYLER TREMBLAY It was an ordinary day, an ordinary school, an ordinary life, and your ordinary couple of kids. The Autumn Wind by Skyler Tremblay The only unordinary thing was what happened. I’m sure you’re expecting me to The Wind runs across the cool crunchy start from the beginning. But I’m sure it’ll ground, sending leaves spiraling up like make you more agitated if I start in the middle butterflies flapping their wings. of the story. Kidding! I have four best friends. It continues into a garden. Liza, Katy, Reece, and Ryan. I was driving to The trees stand alone, dressed in burning school, with Ryan and Katy in the back seat leaves, as they get consumed in a colorful with me. They’re Twins. I’m closest with Ryan flame. but Reece and Liza are closest with Katy. In the heart of the garden, a cool stone Anyways, we got to school and I waved to Katy fountain provides a drink for feathered and Ryan’s Mom ( Mrs. Ruthy ). I head to animals before they continue their long trip homeroom after meeting up with my other south. two best friends at the door. Ms.McGee went The Wind now grabs a single burnt leaf from a on and on about how we needed to start tree and lowers it gently onto the fountain, returning homework on time. I knew that sending ripples of glassy water outward. The didn’t mean me, so I tuned her out by water suddenly turns dark as a shadow popping in my headphones and listening to passes over it. “Rocky Road”, My favorite Band. A few songs A flutter of feathers follows. in, I realized Ms. McGee was starting to write The Wind now carries a hawk down into the “GOOD MORNING” in all caps on the board, so clearing, its fragile yet magnificent wings I took out my headphones and sort of paid folding to catch a gust of cool wind that sends attention. She says the same things every it shooting downwards. Its talons stretched, it morning, honestly. “ Good morning students, comes in for the kill. welcome to fifth grade.” ( Which is insane A screech of terror is carried by The Wind because we’re halfway through the year.. across a meadow to a lonely scarecrow as he )“And that is how different points of view can watches the scene from afar. He wishes he change the main idea..” “RING BRING RONG could help. BRONG RINGGGGGG”. We all gather our books and walk to our lockers to get our math CONTINUE READING ON OUR WEBSITE! supplies. This is my second favorite part of the day. My first favorite is lunch, but I love Mrs. Phifer. She’s so sweet! I think about yesterday’s math lesson and how well I think she did of explaining our topic as I’m walking to my locker. When I get there I hum the song I made to remember my passcode. “Fave number, 2 down, 1 up, then all around.\" CONTINUE READING ON OUR WEBSITE!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA LESTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY LULU PETTIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY EISLYN HOPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUNDRA TAMACCIO

BLOG SPOTLIGHT: NICK'S LETTERS I continued to venture through the uncharted by Nick Sobolewski waters of a land I once knew as familiar. But, the foggy haze surrounded me, clouding all Dear Reader, that I thought I knew: except the silhouette. It I saw a silhouette upon the brick wall just remained tall and strong against the beyond my eyes. A thick fog surrounded me, background of fading red bricks. At that point, and along with the setting sun, it made it still yards from the light, I heard the figure call difficult to see anything. Yet, I still could out to me. It was a soft sound, yet it was discern the black silhouette along the red mighty against the wind. It was so soft, it brick wall. I suppose it was formed from the almost resembled the hissing of a viper. single streetlamp, which hung low over the \"Come hither, \" It commanded, letting the street. Its luminescent glow was so inviting, ending of its final word linger in the air. and after staring at it for too long, a trance Although it was unfamiliar, I had never known befell on me. a more profound responsibility than that of The lone silhouette swayed gently from side following the figure's every order. To disobey to side, left to right. Behind it, the sun fell low would be a horrible crime. At that point, I no below the horizon and a dark purple fell over longer remembered a world where my every the land. It is difficult now to remember what moment was not filled with the light of the exactly the wall's purpose was. Perhaps it was incandescent glow of the streetlamp hanging a shield to protect the city from a foreign low against the dreary, brick wall, and neither harm, or maybe, it was a shield to protect a did I know a world where that silhouette was foreign land from the dismal city. Either way, not the instructor of my every move. all of my thoughts were incomprehensible as I My feet were grating against the dark began to walk closer to the light and the pavement, as the sky grew black. A single tree silhouette it created. stood beside me, a willow, its branches I crossed a cracking sidewalk as a car rolled thrashing childishly in the wind. As I walked, along the road, honking at me when we my arms were planted at my sides, and my nearly collided. I remember looking back with head was immovable while it stared ahead at my eyes, then beginning to glaze over, and the silhouette. seeing the look of an unbridled terror appear \"Come hither.\" in the gaze of the driver. He shook violently, At once, the sound struck me again! It and I could almost see beads of sweat beckoned at me, forcing me to push myself dripping down his cheeks. I looked away, far faster toward the brick wall ahead of me. I beyond, to the place where the streetlamp nearly started floating at that point: my gray hung low against the brick wall. The sound of laced shoes were moving as if they had a soul the car faded as I stepped. He might have had of their own. I think I was carrying a briefcase a heart attack at the wheel, or perhaps my before that wall struck my eyes, but by the ears were shrouded with an inescapable time I relinquished myself to the silhouette, it cloud of silence, for after only walking a was long gone. The fog was shrouding my couple short steps away from the vehicle, I view, but I knew that beyond there was a light could no longer hear any sound at all. and a black figure where I would find my long- The dark figure was swaying violently then, sought escape. and the rocking movement was like a siren call, and I, a sailor. CONTINUE READING ON OUR WEBSITE!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVAN MCCALL ARTWORK BY ADA KIMBALL

Mental Illness by Anonymous Sick But not quite Just in the head Just my mind Ill Like a headache the sadness pounds Breaking and shaking the walls i’ve created in my mind And everything is crumbling down now. Not Everything Needs a Solution by Callum Otieno Not everything needs a solution, Sometimes things can be as they are, Things don’t stay the same forever They will change on their own Not everything needs to be solved! I don’t want your advice It might not behave to change, ya think of that Well… Not everything needs a solution… PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLOTTE STEINHAUER wait? But I love answers, Fall Fall Fall by Sundra Tamaccio I NEED reasons I Love the Why and How of things autumn my favorite season Not everything needs a solution? season of Really long walks in the orange light. Callum? Are you sure? hot lattes on chilly mornings I mean I don’t need to fix everything that make you shiver. Not everything needs to be fixed gilmore girls. And, harder for me to remember sometimes, a collection of but equally true red & orange & yellow & gold Not everting needs to be improved upon gathered on the curb I didn’t need your advice right now spread across fields, I didn’t ask for it crunching under every step. I don’t need a solution! Or more likely, I harry potter marathons, already found one the taste of And you are just saying stuff pumpkin & cinnamon Your point of view in every dessert. I don’t need your solutions the heavy wind Not everything I say needs a solution. before nighttime storms.

SUBMIT YOUR ART HERE! Visit our website www.jtownlitmag.weebly.com/submit to see your writing in our next print edition! For photography and art submissions, please email them to [email protected] and/or [email protected]. Elementary students can email their art to [email protected] or paste them in the form on our ES Submissions webpage. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NINA COSTANDINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUNDRA TAMACCIO