Megan Niedermeyer, age twelve, is a seventh-grade student who lives in Lafayette, California. She has twin ten-year-old brothers, Ethan and Colin.
Her favorite activities are reading, writing short stories and poetry, playing basketball and playing with her dog, Swoops.
Chuck Norris is one of the world’s most popular and successful action film stars. As a young man, he joined the Air Force and was sent to Korea where he earned a black belt in karate and a brown belt in judo. When he returned to the United States he became a martial arts instructor. He later started competing, earning endless championship titles including Middleweight Champion of the World. He established The United Fighting Arts Federation and was named “Man of the Year” in 1979. After starring in several martial arts films, Chuck soon became a box office success. With films such as 1983’s Lone Wolf, followed by Missing in Action, Invasion USA and 1986’s Delta Force, he is now starring in his own television series for CBS, Walker, Texas Ranger. Chuck’s charity work is extensive. He developed and now serves as chairman for Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation.
Carla O’Brien is a wife, mother and published children’s book author. She is also a singer/songwriter for the contemporary Christian group, Heartsong. She is developing a journal to teach children about values. Carla can be reached at 8109 Greenshire Dr., Tampa, FL 33634.
Christa Holder Ocker is a happy grandmother and author of four picture books. When she is not writing, she enjoys sailing, cross-country skiing and playing with her granddaughter, Tiana. Christa can be reached at 55 Royal Park Terr., Hillsdale, NJ, 07642.
Mary Beth Olson is a former human services worker turned freelance writer.
Shaquille O’Neal was the number-one pick in the 1992 NBA Draft and is one of basketball’s greatest centers. Known worldwide as the Shaq-Attack, his athletic awards include 1993 Rookie of the Year, Olympic Gold Medalist and Most Valuable Player. Shaq is also a rap artist who released two hit CDs, and an actor with several feature films to his credit, including Kazaam. Shaquille also makes time to give of himself and his resources.
Glenda Palmer’s sixteenth children’s book, God Must Have Smiled When He Made Animals, is currently being published. She lives in San Diego with her husband, Richard. They have two grand cats, and a grand iguana, but no grandchildren yet. Glenda can be reached at 1687 Via Elisa Dr., El Cajon, CA 92021.
Diana Parker is a thirteen-year-old living in Birmingham, Michigan, with her parents and her brother, Nate. She has a dog named Abby and a cockatiel named Lori. She enjoys reading, drawing, hiking, playing the flute, and engaging in political debates. Someday she hopes to be a scientist and help the world.
Lucas Parker, age eleven, is a seventh-grader who enjoys baseball, snow skiing, surfing and hiking. He does well in school, and earned a place on the principal’s honor roll. He would like to attend UCLA, and perhaps work as a volcanologist.
Judie Paxton, born and raised in West Virginia, has lived in the Atlanta, Georgia area for the past twenty-six years. Wife, mother, and proud owner of a Jack Russell terrier, Judie’s interests include reading, walking on the beach and enjoying sunsets. You may contact Judie at 2320 Melrose Trace, Cumming, GA 30041.
Jan Peck loves to write children’s books and contribute to children’s magazines such as Highlights for Children and Boys’ Life. Dial Books published her most recent picture book, The Giant Carrot, for young readers in March of 1998. Jan can be reached at 6217 Loydhill, Fort Worth, TX 76135 or by e-mail at: HYPERLINK mailto:
[email protected].
Joanne Peterson lives on the Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest. She has produced expository writing for business and civic organizations and is the author of stories for both children and adults. Her poetry has appeared in several publications and received awards at The Northwest Writers’ Conference.
Berniece Rabe is the author of sixteen children’s books; her first five novels earned nominations for The Newbery Award, and two children’s books won The Society of Children’s Book Writer’s Golden Kite Award. She is a sought-after speaker for schools and educators. She can be reached at 724 Smokerise, Denton, TX 76205.
Deborah J. Rasmussen is a freelance writer/editor with a special interest in children’s literature, and was a winner of the Highlights for Children Fiction Contest in 1995. Deborah resides in Florida with her husband and eleven-year-old son. She can be reached at 9149 Arundel Way, Jacksonville, FL 32257-5080.
Lacy Richardson is thirteen years old and lives in a log cabin in Blue Ridge, Virginia. She is the eldest of four children—two sisters and a brother. Her hobbies include reading and playing the flute. Lacy swims on a local swim team and plans to continue in college.
Belladonna Richuitti, age thirteen, loves to sing, write poetry and read mystery books. Her favorite sports are basketball and volleyball. She would like to thank her English teacher, Ms. Moronta, for all her help and support.
Ann McCoole Rigby loves people, nature, healing ideas and words. She combines these loves as a wife, mother, teacher, astrologer and writer. Ann is the author of Why Moon Goes Round and other astrological materials for children. She can be reached at 5313 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, or by calling 602-952-0127.
Linda Rosenberg is a freelance writer, middle-school English teacher, and a writer for Disney In-School Video Programs. Since 1991, she has been involved with Disney, scripting the in-school versions of Aladdin, Snow White and Pinnochio. Linda’s hobbies are reading and writing and teaching her students to do the same. Her most important editors are her two children, Daniella and Mark. She can be reached at 3353 Caminito Gandara, La Jolla, CA 92037.
David Roth is a musician, songwriter, recording artist, conference presenter, occasional NBA national anthem singer, animal lover, playwright and workshop facilitator. David’s work can also be found in other Chicken Soup for the Soul books. He can be reached at 18952 40th Place NE, Seattle, WA 98155-2810; phone: 1-800-484-2367 ext. 3283; e-mail: HYPERLINK mail to:
[email protected]: Web page: http://songs.com.dr.
Donna Russell is a native New Yorker who has earned masters degrees in education and corporate finance. She is currently self-employed and spends her free time writing fiction. Married with one daughter and a grandson, she loves to play tennis.
Mary Ellyn Sandford is a happily married mother of seven children. Her writing has been published in several magazines, including Venture, Counselor, Reader’s Digest and Police Magazine. She enjoys making homemade bread and chicken soup. Mary Ellyn can be reached at 4507 Chelsea Ave., Lisle, IL 60532, or via e-mail at
[email protected].
Beth Schaffer, age sixteen, enjoys reading and writing poetry. She would like to dedicate her piece in Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul to her mom, dad, and Ms. Jan who have given her guidance, love and support.
Kristin Seuntjens has pursued a career as an elementary educator, but enjoys being a full-time mom the most. Kristen makes time to read, draw, sing and play the violin. She is currently working on her first chapter book for children. She can be reached at 227 Isanti St., Duluth, MN, 55803.
Matt Sharpe is twelve years old and lives in San Diego, California. He plays on his school’s basketball and football teams. He likes skateboarding, bicycling and playing at the beach. Matt would like to dedicate his story to the memory of his father, “the best dad ever,” Steve Sharpe.
Katie Short, age twelve, is a seventh-grader at Read Mountain Middle School in Cloverdale, Virginia. She likes to read and listen to music. She is a softball player and an Atlanta Braves fan. She has two older sisters and a dog named Peaches.
Alan D. Shultz resides on an Indiana farm with his wife, Deb, and their three teenage children. He is a lawyer, real-estate broker and award-winning newspaper columnist. Alan can be reached at 5852W. 1000 North, Delphi, IN 46923.
Bernie Siegel, M.D., lives in a suburb of New Haven, Connecticut, with his wife and coworker, Bobbie. Dr. Seigel (Bernie) has cared for and counseled people whose mortality has been threatened by an illness. In 1986 his first boo
k, Love, Medicine & Miracles, was published. Peace, Love & Healing and How To Live Between Office Visits followed. He is currently working on other books with the goal of humanizing medical education and medical care.
Stacie Christina Smith is a twelve-year-old seventh-grader from Lincoln, Massachusetts, who enjoys singing in church, talent shows and plays. Stacie spends a lot of time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include basketball, swimming and softball.
Valeria Soto is a twelve-year-old student attending Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach, California. Her favorite subject is science and she enjoys writing. Her family is the most special part of her life.
Rider Strong, seventeen-year-old star of ABC’s hit show Boy Meets World, landed his first professional acting job at the tender age of nine when he played the coveted role of the ill-fated Gavroche in Les Miserables. Since then, he has made numerous guest star appearances on many hit television shows including Home Improvement, Empty Nest, Evening Shade, Time Trax, and most recently a recurring role on FOX Television’s Party of Five. Rider, a prodigious writer, is currently putting the final touches on his book of poetry entitled On the Impulse, which he is showcasing at local clubs in the Los Angeles area. He also attends college in the Los Angeles area.
Jessica Stroup is a freshman in high school who dreams of singing on stage in front of millions of fans. For now, she enjoys being a teenager; shopping, spending time with friends, and writing poems. She lives with her mother, stepfather and two younger brothers.
Audilee Boyd Taylor is the published author of a children’s picture storybook entitled Where Did My Feather Pillow Come From? Her other children’s books in progress are The Other 99 Sheep, The Mulberry Connection, and The Savannah River Pirates. Audilee can be reached at P.O. Box 60728, Savannah, GA 31420-0728.
Kenan Thompson began his acting career at the age of five, playing a gingerbread man in the school play. From his kindergarten classroom to the silver screen, Thompson’s acting career has skyrocketed with roles in the major motion pictures D-2 The Mighty Ducks, Heavy Weights with Ben Stiller, and the Nickelodeon release Good Burger. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Thompson’s other television credits include reporting for CNN’s Real News For Kids, co-host of the ABC special Night Crawlers and T-Rex, which won an Emmy Award.
Tia Thompson is a fifteen-year-old who enjoys writing fiction and non-fiction stories, letters and poems. She loves listening to music and spending time with her friends. She considers herself to be an outgoing, talkative person.
Heather Thomsen, age thirteen, is from Shoreline, Washington, where she likes to play soccer and run track and cross-country. She plays the French horn and sings in the school concert choir. Heather enjoys reading and writing stories about her detective agency called The Four Investigators.
Reverend Mark Tidd is the pastor of Crestview Christian Reformed Church in Boulder, Colorado. He is the father of five children ranging from four to twenty years old. He records and performs with NO I NO, an acoustic rock/funk/Latin/pop (but no rap) group.
John Troxler is fifteen-years-old and lives in Summerfield, North Carolina, with his parents and two brothers. His hobbies include playing soccer, playing video games, reading and crafts.
Sabrina Anne Tyler is a twelve-year-old from Costa Mesa, California. She wants to be a Harvard-educated lawyer or a marine biologist when she grows up. She enjoys biking, doing theatre work and writing short stories.
M. A. Urquhart is a freelance writer and the author of a dozen children’s books. She lives in Maine with her husband and three children, all of whom have had enormous influence on her writing.
Julie J. Vaughn, Tyler’s mother, is a student earning her certificate in drug and alcohol counseling. She enjoys cycling and is learning to play golf.
Adrian Wagner is a twenty-six-year-old sports writer for The St. Cloud Times, a daily newspaper in central Minnesota, who says he is more concerned with the heart of the team than the score of the game. Adrian aspires to be the sports editor of a large daily newspaper. He may be reached at 3200 N. 15th St., Apt. #315, St. Cloud, MN 56303.
Jody Suzanne Waitzman, age thirteen, loves to read, listen to music and write about human rights and racism. She has had the fortune to travel, which she says has made her more open-minded to other cultures and customs.
JoelWalker, age eleven, is a sixth-grader from Costa Mesa, California, who has enjoyed playing soccer and baseball since he was five years old. He is a member of “THE UNDERGROUND” at Calvary Church Newport Mesa and thanks God for the blessings he receives daily.
Kerri Warren, age thirty, wrote her story for Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul while in junior high. Kerri earned a Ph.D. in cell biology and is currently doing research at Harvard Medical School, studying heart formation and rhythm generation.
Sandra Warren is an author, educational consultant and publisher. She has authored books, poetry, reader’s theatre, video and audio scripts including Arlie the Alligator, a story-song picture book for children. Contact Sandra at P.O. Box 360933, Strongsville, OH, 44136, or via e-mail at
[email protected] We would also like to thank the following contributors: From Costa Mesa, California: Lauren Aitch; Mike Curtis; Evan de Armond; Tania Garcia; Elisabeth Hansen; Elvis Hernandez; Stephanie Lane; David Neira; Nedim Pajevic; Ashley Parole; Karen Perdue; Amanda Smith; Hayley Valvano; and Roman Zaccuri. From Newport Beach, California: Katie Adnoff; Natalie Citro; Marleigh Dunlap; Philip Maupin; Brittany Miller; Mikie Montmorency; Geoffrey Rill; Raelyn Ritchie; Corey Schiller; and Erika Towles. Also, Danielle Uselton from Cleveland, TN;Martina Miller from Reidville, SC; Sarah Bennett from St. Petersburg, FL; Meghan Gilstrap and MeShelle Locke from Lacey, WA; Molly Oliver from Cincinatti, OH; Jessica Ann Farley from Hartly DE; Jorge Prieto from El Paso, TX; Leah Hatcher from Cloverdale, VA; Megan Preizer from Rushville, IN; Angie Porter from Stendal, IN; Renny Usbay from Sunnyside, NY; Eun Joo Shin from Woodside, NY; Gina Pozielli from Gibbstown, NJ; Ronnie Evans; Katie Fata; Samantha Jean Fritz; Ashlee Gray; Ben Hall; Michelle Nicole Rodgers; Maria McLane; and Benjamin Mitchell from Lansing, MI; Andrea Gwyn from Midlothian, VA; Becky Rymer from Greensboro, NC; Pat Wheeler’s fourth grade class from Paducah, KY and Tracey Alvey’s fourth grade class from Paducah, KY; and Alle Vitrano from Windsor, CA.
Permissions
We would like to acknowledge the many publishers and individuals who granted us permission to reprint the cited material. (Note: The stories that were penned anonymously, that are in the public domain, or that were written by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Hansen or Irene Dunlap are not included in this listing.)
Book. Reprinted by permission of Jessica McCain and Nancy McCain. ©1998 Jessica McCain and Nancy McCain.
Is That When You Know? Reprinted by permission of Candice Hanes and Janine Ann Thomas. ©1998 Candice Hanes and Janine Ann Thomas.
Discovery. Reprinted by permission of Jesse Damazo and Becky Damazo. ©1998 Jesse Damazo and Becky Damazo.
Love. Reprinted by permission of Stephanie Lee and Hwa Sook Park. ©1998 Stephanie Lee and Hwa Sook Park.
Kelly, The Flying Angel. Reprinted by permission of Louise R. Hamm. ©1998 Louise R. Hamm.
The Tower. Reprinted by permission of Robert J. Fern. ©1998 Robert J. Fern.
Uncle Charlie. Reprinted by permission of Patty Hathaway-Breed. ©1998 Patty Hathaway-Breed.
The Game of Love. Reprinted by permission of Lou Kassem. ©1998 Lou Kassem.
“Where’s My Kiss, Then?” Granted permission by Ann Landers and Creators Syndicate. Reprinted by permission of M. A. Urquhart. ©1998 M. A. Urquhart.
The Visit. Reprinted by permission of Debbie Herman. ©1998 Debbie Herman.
The Fire Truck. Reprinted by permission of Lori Moore. ©1998 Lori Moore.
Merry Christmas, My Friend. Reprinted by permission of Christa Holder-Ocker. ©1998 Christa Holder-Ocker.
There’s An Alien on the Internet. Reprinted by permission of Joanne Peterson. ©1998 Joanne Peterson.
Seeing, Rea
lly Seeing. Reprinted by permission of Marie P. McDougal. ©1998 Marie P. McDougal.
Kim Li, The Great. Reprinted by permission of Berniece Rabe. ©1998 Berniece Rabe.
Edna Mae: First Lesson in Prejudice. Reprinted by permission of Sandra Warren. ©1998 Sandra Warren.
The Connection. Reprinted by permission of Joel Walker and Laurie J. Walker. ©1998 Joel Walker.
The Favorite Vase. Reprinted by permission of Belladonna Richuitti and Alicia Cunningham. ©1998 Belladonna Richuitti.
A Friend. Reprinted by permission of Danielle Fishel and Jennifer Fishel. ©1998 Danielle Fishel.
A Friend. Reprinted by permission of the authors. ©1998 Leah Hatcher, Sarah Bennett, Roman Zaccuri, Katie Adnoff, Martina Miller, Meghan Gilstrap, Danielle Uselton, Jorge Prieto, Megan Preizer, Molly Oliver, Angie Porter, MeShelle Locke, Eun Joo Shin, Gina Pozielli, Hayley Valvano, Brittany Miller, Marleigh Dunlap, Jessica Ann Farley, Elisabeth Hansen, Renny Usbay, Stephanie Lane, Mike Curtis, Geoff Rill, Tania Garcia, Natalie Citro, Ashley Parole.
Best Friends. Reprinted by permission of Mary Beth Olson. ©1998 Mary Beth Olson.
All I Would Ever Need. Reprinted by permission of Kerri Warren. ©1998 Kerri Warren.
My Friend Anthony. Reprinted by permission of Katie Short and Bonnie Short. ©1998 Katie Short.
No Dad?! Reprinted by permission of Jason Damazo and Becky Damazo. ©1998 Jason Damazo.
Terror on Route 83. Reprinted by permission of Mary Ellyn Sandford. ©1998 Mary Ellyn Sandford. Also, reprinted by permission of the May 1994 Counselor.
Watching for the Miracle. Reprinted by permission of Korina L. Moss. ©1998 Korina L. Moss.
Daddy’s Girl . . . At Long Last. Reprinted by permission of Candace Goldapper.
©1998 Candace Goldapper.
From the Heart. Reprinted by permission of Marcia Byalick. ©1998 Marcia Byalick.
A Brother’s Love. Reprinted by permission of Diana L. James. ©1998 Diana L. James.