The following are pieces of creative writing inspired by Melanie Benjamin’s The Children’s Blizzard produced by students of Nicole Mathias at Sebring McKinley High School.

 

I was on my way home after the storm had lifted. The winds were very harsh, so I was forced to stay with my mother. But now it had lifted and I was going home. It was very peaceful until I saw a hawk flying in circles around something. I wasn’t in a rush, so I went over to see what it was. I couldn’t see it at first with all of the white snow, but then I saw it.

            It was a hand, popping out of the snow. I didn’t know what to do, I was stunned. I had so many thoughts going through my mind. Should I pick it up, should I get help, should I leave it and walk away? I was standing there by the body for almost ten minutes until I made up my mind. I turned and started running toward the town to get help. I knew it was useless because who knows how long the body had been there, but I went to the town to try.

-- Caiden Miller, 10th grade

 

 

Gerda: My view

Cold wet and tired

So close yet so far

Given up clothes for others

No leg and no Fredrik

They want me dead

My time may have come

But I tried my hardest

-- Reece Runyon, 10th grade 

 

 

Her hands, what used to be so warm.

Now lie dead and frozen.

Her skin I once admired,

Is pale and broken.

Frozen from the tears of her cries.

I promised until death do I part,

And as I lay and breathe my last breath,

I filled the promise as we both left.

-- Bella Threet, 10th grade