This month, we're celebrating the critters in our lives. Whether a feline best friend at home, or a raptor that feeds on the rough materials of myth — send us artwork and writing that lives and breathes like the animal itself.

Places you can start:

1. Platypus Cam at the San Diego Zoo
2. Baboon Cam at the San Diego Zoo
3. Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cams
4. What Chinese Zodiac animal are you? Ask your parents!
5. Draw your pet. Write about your pet.
6. Go outside and try to find a bird!

Don't forget to include your name, grade and school, and an (optional) headshot with your piece. Send your submission to YouthReview@EmeraldParents.org by Friday, January 8th. 

Pumpkins going bad. The sun disappearing at 4 p.m.  How is it November already?

As if to slow the motion of these all too fast days, our featured art and writing for November consist of still scenes from everyday life: 
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With true to life shading, Eason Tang cracks open a window in "Virtual Life", giving us a peek into a work-from-home nirvana.

In "Autumn Feast", Chloe Zhang sketches out a resplendent Thanksgiving spread with colors galore. 

Words take flight in "Falling Leaves" by Brendon Wang, a contemplative shape poem on the changing nature of this season. 

We're proud to bring you this month's edition of the Emerald Youth Review. Leave a like or a comment to show your support, and happy holidays!

​       "Well, a few weeks ago, I bought a newspaper." 

       "We live on a farm," says Pa. "How did you get it?" 

       "Remember? When we went on that trip to buy a carriage to travel easier, I snuck off for a moment to grab one." 

       "Bob, for that you are grounded for--" 
       
       But before Pa can finish talking, a loud boom happens again but only closer.

       Pa and Ma say, "Bob. What is that?"

     “In the newspaper I read, they said a guy is murdering a bunch of people and the booms are rocks thrown by big catapults." 

       "So what?" asks Ma. 

       "Well... it said the guy is targeting farms and we are the only farm in the city". 

       "Bob! What have you been reading? That is just a rumor." Ma says. 

     "Oh yeah? The news also said that the murderer likes to go to the house to end his victims off." 

       "So that's why you have been getting scary dreams lately?" 

       ​"Yeah, I guess I have to admit it," says Bob. 

        Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. 
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       "We barely get visitors, especially at this time," says Pa. 

       "Bob, go look out the window to see who is there," says Ma.

      "Mom! Dad!" says Bob. “I see a guy in black at the door! I think he has a gun in his hand and has another accomplice hiding in the grass.”

       "What?" they shout back. 

       "I think the murderer is here!" Bob exclaims. 
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       Now you will have to wait for the next book to keep reading.
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  This time I rushed towards the door to try to catch the culprit. Again, no one was there.

          “Hello?”

           Still nothing.

          “Come out, I know you’re there!”

         No reply. Every single house on the street was pitch blackand the trees swaying in the cold breeze.

          I was about to close the door when a sudden cold blast of air flew by me into the house. I spun around and saw the most terrifying thing I had seen in my life. The monster of your nightmares, the devil himself. I felt transfixed to the ground. Not wanting to look at it, but couldn't move away.

          I dove past whatever it was and into my room. I slammed the door and slid into the cramped closet.

          Crash! Boom!

          ​ I could hear the steps coming close and closer. I tried to stay as still as I could but my heart was pounding so loud I thought that the monster could hear it.

          Crack! Crash!

          The monster opened the door and walked in the room...
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