Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul (32 page)

Jessica Harper
finds enjoyment working, editing videos and going to church. She is seventeen-years-old and lives in a small town in Illinois with her mom, dad and three brothers.

Patricia (Patty) Hathaway-Breed
lives on the northern coast of California where she teaches art at her studio and at The College of Redwoods in Fort Bragg. Her hobbies include camping, playing music and listening to the sea with her husband. She may be reached at 32760 Simpson Ln., Fort Bragg, CA 95437.

Debbie Herman
is a special education teacher and author of children’s books. She enjoys sitting on the balcony of her fifth-floor apartment where she gets her writing inspiration. She may be reached by e-mail at
[email protected].

Lillian Belinfante Herzberg
developed an interest in writing while at Grossmont College in La Mesa, California, where she was published in their literary magazine. She has received awards in local contests for her short stories. Lillian and her husband are enjoying retirement by keeping busy going to the movies and live theatre.

Darnell Hill
is thirteen years old and would like to be an actor when he grows up. His favorite sports are basketball and football. He comes from a family of seven children—three boys and four girls.

Jillian K. Hunt
is a twenty-year-old who dreams of someday writing a novel and teaching second grade. For now, she is getting a head start as a pre-school teacher. Writing is Jillian’s source of relaxation and therapy.

Charles Inglehart
is a freshman at Reynolds High School in Troutdale, Oregon, where he participates in public speaking classes. He also enjoys music, outside activities and “hanging out” with friends.

Kathy Ireland
has appeared on countless magazine covers including
Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Mademoiselle, Seventeen
and
Shape.
Her association with
Sports Illustrated
is legendary: thirteen years, three magazine covers, the magazine’s twenty-fifth and thirtieth anniversary shows, their 1992 swimsuit edition and the
Sports Illustrated
Class of ‘95. Kathy has always been involved with humane causes. Two of her most recent are Project Inform in San Francisco, which provides information on treatments for HIV/AIDS worldwide, and Athletes and Entertainers for Kids in Los Angeles, a national nonprofit youth-service organization which provides exposure to alternative life options for disadvantaged youth. Kathy lives in Southern California with her husband Greg, an emergency room physician, and their young son, Erik. Kathy and Greg enjoy a variety of sports, including snow skiing, hiking, mountain biking and especially scuba diving. Visit Kathy’s website at
www.kathyireland.com
.

Diana L. James
is a professional speaker and writer whose work has appeared in several national magazines. Before becoming a full-time writer/speaker, Diana produced and hosted her own television and radio interview programs.

Lou Kassem
was born in the mountains of eastern Tennessee and inherited a natural talent for storytelling. In 1984, she put her talent on paper by publishing the first of eleven novels. With four one-of-a-kind daughters, Lou enjoys writing for young people. She is now working on her twelfth novel.

Christine Lavin
has spent twenty years as a reporter and editor for newspapers, including
The Burlington Free Press
in Vermont and
The San Francisco Chronicle.
She may be reached at 701 Cleveland, Oakland, CA 94610, by calling 510-536-4529, or via e-mail:
[email protected].

Stephanie Lee
is a twelve-year-old whose goal in life is to be a doctor. She enjoys writing poems and short stories, and finds inspiration at the beach and through her friends and family. Hermusical talents include playing the flute and the piano.

David Levitt
, age sixteen, is a tenth-grade student at Osceola High School in Seminole, Florida. His interests include drama, music and computer games. As the youngest volunteer for Tampa Bay Harvest (TBH), David delivers food donations and speaks to groups about the program.

Damien Liermann
, age fifteen, enjoys writing, especially when an important event occurs, because it gives him the opportunity to express his feelings in a non-physical way. Damien also likes to collect key chains, rocks and dead insects. His favorite hobby is collecting music.

Ellie Logan
is ten years old and participates in basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis and horseback riding. Ellie has two dogs, two cats and a bird. She would like to thank her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Arnold, for encouraging her to write a story for
Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul.

Karen Beth Luckett
is a freelance writer of children’s stories and writes primarily for magazines. She is currently working on picture books and collections of short stories.

Dandi DaleyMackall
has been writing professionally since 1978. She has published over 150 books for children and 27 books for adults, such as
The Princess and the Pea, Picture Me Goldilocks,
and
Town and Country Mouse,
as well as storybooks on
The Flintstones, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear
and
The Jetsons.
Her newest eleven-book series,
Puzzle Club Mysteries,
will be animated by Hanna Barbera and aired nationally on television. Dandi writes from rural Ohio, where she lives with her husband, Joe, and her three children, Jenny, Katy and Danny— along with two horses, a dog, a cat and a rabbit.

James Malinchak
, is the author of
Teenagers Tips for Success
and a dynamic public speaker. He is a contributing author to
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.
You may contact James at P.O. Box 32, Monessen, PA 15062, by calling 888-793-1196, via e-mail at
[email protected]
, or visit his Website at
http://www.Malinchak.com
.

Tyler Vaughn Marsden
, age eleven, is a seventh-grader from Southern California. He grew up near the beach where he likes to Boogie Board, bike ride and ski. When he’s at home, he loves to cook.

Taylor Martini
, age nine, was encouraged by his third-grade teacher, Mrs. Thompson, to submit to
Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul.
He likes sports and is active in soccer. Taylor is very involved in chess and competes in tournaments. He would like to be a chess teacher and achieve a grandmaster ranking someday.

Page McBrier
is the author of over thirty-five books for young readers. She grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri, and credits her wacky family with providing much of the inspiration for her stories. She currently lives in Connecticut with her husband and two sons. Page may be reached through Writer’s House, New York City.

Jessica McCain
is fourteen years old and has always loved to read and write. She is active in basketball, softball and tennis. She likes to spend time with her friends and family and finds joy in helping others.

Marie P. McDougal
is a recently retired English and psychology teacher, former newspaper writer and local history columnist. Currently a freelance writer, she is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, DetroitWomenWriters, RomanceWriters of America and The Bay AreaWriters’ Guild. Marie can be reached at 41556 Gloca Mora, Harrison Twp., MI 48045.

Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg
retired after thirty-four years as a teacher and librarian and is now a university professor. She provides custom-designed speeches, workshops and staff development seminars. Her books include
Into the Hornet’s Nest: An Incredible Look at Life in an Inner City School
and
Be the Boss of Your Brain!
Dr. Meinberg can be reached at 5417 Harco St., Long Beach, CA 90808.

Melissa Mercedes
is a thirteen-year-old who enjoys writing poetry, listening to R&B music, in-line skating and annoying her little brother, Leonard. She also likes going to the movies with her friends.

Shelly Merkes
, age eleven, is a sixth-grader from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She likes bike riding, in-line skating and swimming. Her musical talents include playing the piano and singing in a chorus.

Shannon Miller
has won more Olympic and World Championship Medals than any other male or female American gymnast in history. She earned seven Olympic Medals and nine World Championship Medals in the past four years. During her career, Shannon won an astounding fifty-eight International and forty-nine National Competition Medals; over half of each have been Gold Medals culminating with two Gold Medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. As a member of “The Magnificent Seven” at the 1996 Games, she won Team Gold and—for the first time for any American gymnast—the Gold Medal in the balance beam competition.

Kel Mitchell
is a nineteen-year-old Chicago native, who received his training from ETA Creative Arts Foundation in drama, dance and voice. Kel gained much of his acting experience performing in local theatrical productions and made his television debut as a cast member of Nickelodeon’s all-kid sketch comedy series,
All That.
Kel recently made his first major feature debut in
Good Burger.

Lori Moore
is a freelance writer and editor, specializing in the children and young adult markets. She is currently writing scripts for the kids’ television show
Hall Pass,
and has recently formed her own youth consulting company, YouthScope. Lori can be reached at 1827 W. 246th St., Lomita, CA 90717.

Korina L. Moss
grew up in Wappinger Falls, New York, graduated from Texas Tech University, and is currently residing in New England. She enjoys travelling with her husband, David, and spoiling their two cats, Ophelia and Franklin. Her greatest passion is writing; she recently completed a young adult mystery novel.

Tim Myers
is a writer, professional storyteller and songwriter who lives in Plattsburgh, New York. He has two stories published in
Cricket Magazine
and a book soon to be published entitled
Let’s Call Him Lauwiliwililihumuhumunuku-nukunukunukukuapua’aoioi!
“The Bobsledder’s Jacket” is a true story that happened to his friend, Jack Mulholland, who was an Olympic bobsledder.

Tara M. Nickerson
has been telling and writing stories ever since she was a child. Now living on Cape Cod, she has a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. Tara recently completed the manuscripts for four young adult novels. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 131, Cotuit, MA 02635.

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.