Tucker Kupfer
11-13-14
English 7f
Personal Memoir

I woke with a start. The house was calm, it was an early morning in Montana. I looked up and saw my uncle's bristly unshaven beard. He told me to grab my jacket and put on some warm clothes. He led me outside to his truck, I was still groggy. I got in the car and took the seat next to my brother. My dad and uncle were in the front seats. We drove along a well paved road for some time, but then the car swerved onto a dirt road leading into the woods. I heard the guns in the trunk rattle around as we went over some rocks. Finally the car stopped. Uncle Mike opened his door and stepped out, the rest of us followed. We made our way to the back of the truck. He opened it up and started handing my dad and brother guns. I remember seeing a small rifle that was just my size, so I immediately grabbed that one. My uncle and dad lectured me on proper hunting and gun safety, like they do every time we go hunting. We finally set out into the woods. I was holding my gun tightly and acting like an army soldier (like most 9 year olds do). We came to a halt. I saw my uncle draw his crossbow, line up the shot and pull the trigger. "Thunk." A big elk fell to the ground. My uncle walked over to the downed deer and pulled his bolt out. He told my dad to get the car. A few minutes later my dad came carefully down to where we were standing. Everyone but me was lifting the elk onto the truck. When they finally managed to lift it up, my uncle tied the elk to the hood of the car with some rope and elasticity bands. We all piled back into the car, but our hunt was not done yet. It was the day before Thanksgiving and we had to get a turkey. We drove further into the woods to the usual location of turkeys. We found one! We all got out of the car, but this time it was my turn. I drew my rifle, aimed down my sights, took a breath and pulled the trigger. I heard the turkey shriek and then fell to the ground. My uncle patted me on the back, and the next day we enjoyed the turkey. It was delicious!

Tucker Kupfer
11-13-14
English 7f
Nobel Peace Prize Essay

There is a major problem in the United States; this problem is the number of gun-related deaths. It seems nearly anyone can get their hands on a gun. I do not believe guns are bad; rather some people with guns are bad. A possible solution for this problem would be to get rid of guns in society. This would presumably make murder and other gun-related crimes vanish. A problem with this approach is that hunting would require great skill with a bow or knife, an inherently more difficult and dangerous activity. Another possible solution would be to just make guns hard to obtain. There could be a background check on anyone trying to purchase a gun. These checks would be done to assure the person is sane and not a criminal. This does occur in many parts of Asia, and in Asia there has to be a logical reason for someone to own a gun. For example, if the person is in law enforcement, though in that circumstance they are only issued the gun through the police force and do not procure it on their own. In any event, this is a real problem that needs to be addressed. Too many shootings are occurring these days; we must put a stop to it. Finally, I believe that though it might be worse to be pierced by an arrow or stabbed to death by a knife, as both of these actions result in a slower and more painful death than death by a gun, it is still more likely that you would survive these attacks. Guns are more deadly and easier and quicker to use, sometimes even with multiple victims in one event. Therefor, I believe there should be strict laws in place to make it very difficult to get a firearm.

Tucker Kupfer
11-13-14
English 7f
Holiday Memoir


I sat up in my bed. I rubbed my eyes and look over at the illuminated alarm clock on my bedside table. It read 12:47 PM. I groaned and fell back onto my pillows. I thought about the possible gifts I could find the next morning under a tall evergreen tree. Sometime passed, I thought about everything from the universe and wormholes to new video games and candy. I started to dose off until a loud clattering and banging sounded from the roof. My young eyes lit up like fireworks. I immediately shot out of my bed and threw on the warmest clothes I had. My family was spending this years Christmas at our house in Telluride Colorado, so it was very cold. I crept up the stairs, trying to keep them from creaking. I made my way over to the festively decerated living room. I sat on the couch staring at the warm fireplace. A thought popped into my mind. I ran to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. I rushed towards the fireplace and doused it. I calasped on the couch, satisfied with my quick thinking. Before I knew it I had fallen asleep. The early morning sun shown bright in my eyes. I rolled over trying to keep the bright light from blinding me, but then I realized what day it was. I jumped off the couch and ran towards the fireplace. I stared at the mound of presents under our everegreen tree, trying to imagine what was in each festive box. I was soon joined by the rest of my family. We opened gifts and drank hot chocolate. That Christmas couldn't have been better!    

I am from Middle Earth,
From Hobbiton and the Hall of Erebor,
I am from the rolling hills of The Shire.
(Green, soft, it feels like freedom.)
I am from the pages full of ink,
The books full of inspiration,
I'm from Tolkien,
The man who created a magnificent world.

I'm from the passion and joy,
From emotion and strength,
I'm from the idea, the hardship, and the loyalty.

I'm from the heart and soul pored inside,
Action, adventure and journey.

Long ago, during the begging of the second age there lived a Hobbit. Hobbits are not gross creatures like worms and snails, they are humble people who live a simple life, in a simple place called The Shire. The Shire is a nice big countryside with lush green grass growing in the large meadows, where flowers are flourishing, and little Hobbit children are laughing and playing, while there parents are in the market selling fish they caught down by the big clear lake of Byewater. The shire is a lively place, there are always merchants and traders coming through and selling their goods at the market, but soon moving further down the road. If you follow one of the merchants you will soon come across the welcoming homes of the Hobbits. These are not your average homes these are the homes of Hobbits. Hobbits are very clever people who have built their homes into the exact soil they grow their crops in. However, these holes are not dirty and smelly but instead very clean, the floors and walls are made of the finest wood a Hobbit could get, after all, these are Hobbit holes. With every hobbit hole there comes good food, a warm hearth, and all of the comforts of home. Every room has cushions and couches that feel like clouds, and the pantry's have the finest jam, butter, bread, meat, and cheese in all of Middle Earth. Hobbits live carefree and simple lives, and have only heard stories about the dangers of the outside world. 


At that very moment three of the Hobbits of this tranquil community, Martin Baggins, Simon Beywater, and Lewis Underhill all sat at a table in their favorite pub in The Shire called "The Smoking Pipe." Simon was drunk and was ranting about his carrots and how they weren't growing. Lewis acted interested but really he was thinking about a young female Hobbit across the bar. Martin Baggins a young Hobbit with dark hair came back to the table with another flagging of ail. He was wearing a velvet vest and brown pants that went half way down his leg.

Simon an average hobbit with a large belly and light hair leaned over to Lewis and drunkly said in his bellowing voice, "if your gonna stare so much, why don't you just marry her." Lewis, who was tuned out did not here the remark and took another sip of his ail. Martin laughed and told them both to sit down and enjoy the night. Lewis walked over to the Hobbit he was looking at and he asked her to dance. She blushed and said yes, and soon everyone was laughing and dancing on the tables. The jolliness all came to a yielding halt when an older Hobbit kicked over an ail. The ail spilled on Simons' brightly colored jacket, this made the Hobbit very angry and he marched over to the bathroom while muttering to himself. It was getting late and many Hobbits were calling it a night and returning to there hole's. After a couple more flagons of ail, Simon felt very tired and decided that it was time to go home for a good nights sleep. Lewis an unusually tall Hobbit helped Simon to his feat and guided him home. Martin stayed at the pub for a bit longer and decided to walk home alone, and take in the magnificent sight of the peaceful Shire in the fall of night.

While many hobbits were singing and dancing merrily in the pubs, the hobbits watching guard at the Shire gates were not as fortunate. Far to the east side of the Shire, outside of the bright city of Hobbiton, and past the Budgeford road, there sat four hobbits ready to end their shift and head home for a nice cup of mead and a basket of warm biscuits. The two hobbits taking watch in the tree line even started to pack up there bags. After a couple more minutes pasted one hobbit broke the silence and said, "well i've sat here for far to long, and nothing ever happens out here, and nothing ever will."


"Flunk" 
Write as the hobbit said that he was hit by a blood-stained arrow. Soon after the lifeless body of the victim fell, the remaining three hobbits were surrounded by a pack of goblins from the dark Blue Mountain, and were killed as quickly and easily as their friend. Then the goblins made a blood-curdling screech and sank back into the darkness where they came from.

After a long nights sleep Martin Baggins woke up, had some biscuits and jam, and headed down the road to meet his friends at their usual meeting spot. As he was walking through town he noticed an odd uneasy look across every hobbits face. Everyone was moving quickly and quietly, not even stopping to say hello, as they usually do. When Martin reached "The Smoking Pipe," his meeting spot. Everyone was quiet and nervous in the pub, which was very unusual in that lively place. When Martin reached his friends, Lewis and Simon, he quietly whispered to them in a frightened voice, "What is going on here?"

Lewis told him what had happened to the four hobbits who were killed at the town gates. Simon added that there are rumors going around The Sire that a queer screech was heard too. Martin leaned back in his chair, trying to take in what he was just told. Nothing this bad has ever happened before in the history of The Shire.

Lewis leaned forwards and firmly said "We can't just sit around and do nothing while whatever is out there kills more of our friends and family; we have to do something, wether it's fighting those beasts or help protect The Shire from future attacks!"

Then Simon said in a serious voice, "I've heard groups of hobbits are gearing up to fight this threat, but they are only allowing hobbits over the age of 35 to go on this expedition."

All three hobbits caught eyes in the middle of the table and said, "We have to go, no matter how old they say we have to be; we must help our fellow hobbits defeat this terrible foe."

Lewis then said, "They'll catch us, there is no way we will even make it to the Bree-Land Road."

The three hobbits fell into silence, but then Martin said, "So it's settled, we will go with the brave group of hobbits to where ever the war will take us, and fight those terrible beasts."


The next day the sun shown bright and Martin's heart was blazing. He was headed to Lewis' house to plan their journey to sneak off to the war. He arrived at his bright, spacious hole, and it looked like Simon was already there. Martin left his hole late, because he was preparing scones for the three friend's meet. Martin walked through the wide archway of the door, and set the scones on the table Simon and Lewis were sitting at. They looked up noticing Martin's presence, and told him to take a seat.

Then, Lewis said, "Simon and I have been trying to think of a plan to sneak off without anyone noticing our absence, but it just isn't possible."

A big grin appeared on Martin's face and he chuckled. He told the two anxious hobbits that he had already thought of a plan. Simon after a brief pause said, "well, let's hear it."


"Clip, clop, clip clop," went the sound of beating hooves against the hard dirt road. "When are we going to get there?" Groaned Simon.

"In about twenty leagues." Said Martin.

"Twenty leagues, that'll take us all day." Shouted Simon exasperated.

"Then we best get moving." Remarked Lewis.
After a long period of silence one of the friends stopped and said, "I think my mule is getting tired."

Then another voice commented, "well if you didn't bring so much luggage, and you lost some weight, we wouldn't have to stop every 10 minutes for your mule to catch its breath.

"Rustle, rustle."

"Shh, did you hear that?" Whispered Martin.
Before the other hobbits could responded a dark figure jumped out of the trees next to the path, and tackled Simon. After Lewis and Martin helped Simon to his feet, they saw that the figure was not a blood thirsty beast; but it was in fact a hobbit, who lived in Bindbol wood, which is a town not too far from hobbiton. The hobbit apologized to Simon for tackling him, and said, "I'm sorry, I thought you were a goblin, through the thick leaves and branches I only saw a figure moving and heard you breathing unnaturally loud."

Simon became offended from these words and turned away angrily. Then the hobbit said, "well I think this is a good time to introduce myself, I am Milo Gamwich of the Bindbol Gamwiches."

Then all of the hobbits introduced themselves and Milo said, "what are you three hobbits doing so close to the borders, don't you know that it is dangerous out here?"

"We have come to join the group of hobbits going off to fight the goblins," stated Martin.

"Well, then you have come to the right place; I am a scout of the fifth squadron," said Milo proudly.

Then a voice said, "do you have a main camp setup, or are you all just scattered around the woods?"

Milo told them that they have a main camp at the Bradywine river, and gestured them to follow him.

The group of hobbits finally got to the fighter's camp after a long and strenuous walk. Simon slumped down with his back against a tall thick pine tree, and was breathing heavily. After another couple of minutes Simon clambered up still tired, but anxious to see the camp. Then Milo said "welcome to camp Woodhall!" The three boys looked around in awe. They saw soldiers and craftsmen and metal workers all at work, training, making armor and crafting swords. "Well boys, we are moving out at daybreak so you'd better get some rest," said Milo. After that the boys walked over to their tents, laid down and fell asleep.

"Wake up, wake up!" Whispered a voice into Martin's ear. Martin still tired said, "what is it, did I oversleep?"

"Much worse, the hobbits we sent out to scout... Only four of them came back, out of the thirteen that were sent." Said Milo in a shake voice.

"what time is it?" Asked Martin.

"It's just about daybreak, we should round up the rest of the troops and get moving, it's dangerous out here." Said Milo.

Martin woke up Simon and Lewis, and the hobbits walked over to the central part of the camp. Milo was already there with the rest of the hobbits going to fight. Then a tall plump hobbit general stood up on a stump and shouted, "my fellow hobbits, too many times the goblins have


attacked our home, too many times have our friends and family been killed by them, not anymore, we will fight!"

"yeah" yelled the rallied group.

"now we will attack the goblins at there home, we will march on the Blue Mountains where they dwell, let's see how they like it!" Shouted the general.

Lewis nudged Milo in excitement and they both raised there arms and shouted with pride. Then all of the hobbits whether they were on a mule or on foot, marched on the road towards the Blue Mountains.


As the bold hobbits led their mules down the winding road, the sun light began to fade behind the thick towering pines of the west, and night fall was quickly descending upon the travelers. " we should stop and set up camp here," shouted a voice.

"we'll all be dead by the morning if we stop!" Remarked a another hobbit with a deep voice.

Soon all of the hobbits were arguing about wether they should set up camp or keep moving. Then the thundering voice of the general silenced all of the bickering. "ENOUGH! We stay in the cover of the trees and move in the morning, the darkness is our foes best friend." 

Then all of the hobbits marched into the trees and lay down to rest, while a few others were taking watch.

Martin awoke early still tired and wanted to go back to sleep. He couldn't sleep do to the fact that himself and his friends might never make the journey home. Soon after, all of the troops were awake and the general told them the plan. "Listen up, this is what we are going to do; we will sneak up to the base of the blue mountains and split up into 50 squads, 25 go inside the mountain and 25 stay outside of the mountain. Each squad in the mountain will have a leader, who will have a horn on him. If the leaders blow their horns it means all of the troops outside of the mountain are to hurry in and help us defeat the goblins. We are going to try to silently take them out, so hopefully the horns will not have to be used."


The hobbits silently made their way to the base of the mountain. No one said a word, they were all thinking about their families back in the safety of the Shire. At last, the large group of hobbits arrived at the mountain. They split up into their squads, and the unlucky group crept towards the shadowy caverns where the goblins lay. Inside the caverns all that they could see was the hobbit in front of then, and the ceiling of the caverns was 400 meters high. The squads delve deeper through the winding tunnels, but did not find one goblin. A squad leader named Bramble Orgulas clutched his horn in his shaking hands nervously preparing to alert reinforcements. However, there was a bone on the rough cavern floor that Bramble did not see, and his leg caught on it, he plummeted downwards, but put his hand over his face and accidentally blew the horn. "Ahhttttttt" went the sound of the horn. The sounds of the horn echoed through the entire mountain alerting every goblin within twenty leagues of the surprise attackers. Every hobbit in the tunnel turned ice cold when they saw the thousands of goblins pouring through the cracks in the top of the tunnels, like ants swarming out of an ant hill. The leaders then blew frantically on the horns hoping the hobbits outside were coming in. However, they did not and the goblin ranks were getting closer. "Run, runnnn!" Shouted an alarmed hobbit.

After those words every hobbit was running as fast as they could towards the tiny amount of light peering through the cracks at the end of the tunnel. When all of the hobbits thought their escape was hopeless, they saw light from torches and tiny figures holding them entering the tunnel.


Martin heard the loud blare of the horns and immediately charged into the tunnels with the rest of the hobbits who were on the outside. As the reinforcements ran through the grim tunnels they could see thousands of pale goblins clambering on the ceiling and sides of the tunnels chasing after a group of hobbits scrambling towards the exit. Martin clenched his sword and saw a tall figure in the escaping group and knew it was Lewis. Martin instantly doubled his pace and yelled with pride. The reinforcements met the escapers in the center of the tunnels and charged the goblin ranks at full force.


Simon clenched his axe and tried to keep up with the charging group. He was shorter than most hobbits so he could not tell when the goblins and his fellow hobbits would engage in a violent blood bath. He heard the clashing of swords and shields and saw troops in front of him fall and create puddles of bright red blood. Then he swung his axe with brute like strength and a goblin shrieked and fell to the ground tripping another one.

A goblin was hit with a spear and fell onto Martin with unexpected force, knocking him to the ground. Unable to catch himself his head hit the solid rock with a crack. The hobbit forces passed by Martin who was unconscious underneath the speared goblin. Simon saw Lewis across the blood stained tunnels, and started to make his way over to him while slaying goblins. Lewis saw Simon only a few paces away, and yelled for him to come help. Yet before Simon even had a chance to react, a curved blade pierced through Lewis's chest. With his eyes still trained on Simon Lewis fell to his knees coughing up blood. Simon rushed over to the short hairless goblin whose blade was hilt deep in Lewis' chest, and with one powerful sweep Simon sliced its head clean off. Simon knelt down next to Lewis and quickly pulled the bloody dagger out of his chest. Lewis cried in agony, and fell onto his back.

"cough, cough," went Lewis.
"stay with me, come on, stay with me," Said Simon.
"I'm not going to make it, it's over for me." Gasped Lewis.
"no, your gonna make it don't you die on me." Shouted Simon. "Martin! It's Lewis!" Yelled Simon in tears.
"Simon listen to me, that girl... with me in the pub the night before

this all started... Tell her I love her." Said Lewis.
"common, stay with me, sniff sniff, don't you give up." Yelled

Simon.
"good by friend, I'll miss you." Said Lewis
"mmmhhh." Sounded Lewis as he passed to the other side. "no, noooo!" Yelled Simon in despair.

Scanning the faces of the other survivors, Milo searched desperately for Martin. He wandered through the now stilled battle field, stopping only to ask a fellow hobbit, or turn over a fallen soldier with the hope



that it wouldn't be him. Face after face of unfamiliar hobbits with slit necks, crushed skulls, and daggers protruding from bloodied limbs and backs, Milo was beginning to lose hope. As he drew closer to the end of the cave Milo's eye caught on a familiar velvet vest only half exposed below the body of a mangled goblin. He rushed forward, grabbing fistfuls of the goblin's blood spattered cloth coverings and yanked the dead weight of the fleshy body to uncover the hobbit underneath. A surge of joy rushed through Milo as he recognized Martin's dark face. Martin jerked forward, regaining consciousness, and said, "where are all of the goblins?"

Milo then said, "the battle is won, but many good hobbits were killed, including Lewis, i'm sorry."

Martin got up and hurried through the goblin tunnels looking for Lewis. When he finally spotted Simon he rushed over and was about to ask about Lewis, but then he noticed Simon was kneeling right next to his body with a grim look on his face. Martin put his hand around Simon's shoulder and decided to give Lewis a moment of peace, so he knelt next to Simon and mourned Lewis. Milo rounded up the survivors, and together they put the bodies of the dead on the backs of their


mules so they could have a proper funeral back in The Shire. As the survivors were walking through the gates into the shire, the women and children of the survivors ran over and hugged them, but the women who's husbands were slain in battle ran back into their holes deviated and in tears. Then the bodies of the fallen were paced in coffins and buried in the Great Cemetery of The Shire. Then the general stepped forward and said, "All family and friends of the fallen, do not mourn the death of the hobbits who gave their lives for you, instead praise them, they fought a good battle but fell in honor and glory and knowing that they died for the safety of you and The Shire."


The next day, rain poured heavily down on the grassy meadows of The Shire. Simon and Martin were on their way over to the hole of Lily Brownlock of Overhill. When they arrived at the hole there were flowers growing on both sides of the path leading up to the round door. Martin knocked twice and after a brief moment Lily opened the door. Simon and Martin had their hats in their hands and put their heads down in respect. Then Simon said, "our friend... Lewis Underhill fought along side the many brave hobbits in the goblin tunnels. He had a great sense of humor, and was always smiling, in his last moment on this earth he told me that he loved you." 

Broken, is the sound of the weary waves crashing in the gloom of night, Or the taste of salty tears dripping down your face, The broken feeling of agony after death or pain, The feel of braking spirits,
And the pain of loosing someone close.

All the world's a page.
And all the men and women are readers.
One reader takes seven different books through the ages.
The first book is the picture book,
which make babies long for learning.
It show shapes an colors.
Next touch feel books.
They teach toddlers to enjoy reading for long journey through reading.
The third book is early reader books, they teach the child to reach sentences and punctuation.
Next is the chapter book. This type of book brings the reader on a short adventure.
Now the reader learns to read young adult books; these books take them on an adventure with their favorite characters.
Next, is novels, these long books let the step into the world of the book.
Lastly, is the type of book for the elderly, these books are written in large font so the reader has no trouble reading the text.