WritingFix is currently seeking additional student samples from this writing assignment that can be featured in this space. Submitted student work must show evidence of revision, editing, and the final draft must be typed and sent through e-mail. Teachers: if you can help us obtain one, two or three student samples, along with a digital photo of the student(s) and a signed permission slips, we will send you either a complimentary copy of one of the Northern Nevada Writing Project's print publications.

Write to us at publish@writingfix.com and write "Holes" in your e-mail's subject line, if you have a student sample to share with us.

My Brother’s Zebras
by Nick, 7th grade poet

My brother’s zebras are highly paid
They’re colorful zebras that tan in the shade
They can juggle balloons filled with helium
But you have to pay high prices just to see ‘em.

The very first thing they do in the show
Is play violin without using a bow
They drag their tails across every string
And play music better than any other thing.

At this point in the show, my brother comes out
And talks about his zebras while he rubs their snout
He shouts out their names while he whispers his speech
He says, “This one’s called Charcoal and this one’s called Bleach.”

The zebras start their grand finale about now
They climb into a rocket and blast off with a POW
But when the rocket flies up the zebras go down
At first the crowd gasps then no one makes a sound.

The crowd says they are wrong but they know they are right
They say, “I don’t believe it, what a terrible sight!”
The zebras were brought down by one tiny rocket
And the crowd walked away with empty pockets.

Once the tent is taken down
My brother leaves with a terrible frown
But late that night, with smiles on their faces
The zebras leave their hiding places.