Lost & Found Brooklyn's Children Share Stories of the Pandemic - A collection of essays from the - The Ezra ...
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Lost & Found
Brooklyn’s Children Share
Stories of the Pandemic
A collection of essays from the
Ezra Jack Keats 2021 Essay Contest
Sponsored by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
1
Lost and Found: Table of Contents
Brooklyn’s Children Share
Stories of the Pandemic About the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.....................................................4
Letter from Deborah Pope.............................................................................5
First Place
A collection of essays from the Serena Prince...................................................................................................6
Ezra Jack Keats 2021 Essay Contest Second Place
Saphira Li.........................................................................................................8
For 34 years, New York City public schoolchildren have written
Third Place
and illustrated enough books to fill a small library by participating
Lucia Weissman.............................................................................................10
in the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition. The program is
the result of a longstanding partnership between the Ezra Jack Honors
Keats Foundation, Brooklyn Public Library, and the New York City Linh Kirk Soffer.............................................................................................12
Department of Education. Due to the pandemic, the competition Lorelei Schaary..............................................................................................14
was postponed in 2021. In its place, Brooklyn Public Library had Esther Motia...................................................................................................16
the honor of hosting a unique essay contest for children in grades Chase Aberle...................................................................................................18
Billie Jordan...................................................................................................20
3-5.
Honorable Mentions
Focusing on current events, students were encouraged to
Ariana Abreu...........................................................................................................22
write about their circumstances around the pandemic, lack of Jamie McNair......................................................................................................... 24
socialization, coping skills, anti-racism, school and family life, Halcyanna Pasternak.................................................................................. 26
the election, and any emotions that may be coming up for them Anaya Wilson.................................................................................................. 28
during these turbulent times in support of positive social emotional
With excerpts from essays by
development.
Jard Wilson.......................................................................................................7
Judera Burnham.............................................................................................9
Clara Cabnet-Galarza..................................................................................11
Zara Habib Baig............................................................................................13
Zoe Giammanco.............................................................................................15
Rayyan Ali Jivraj..........................................................................................17
Scarlet Palmgren...........................................................................................19
Aniela Coughlin.............................................................................................21
Michael Kotsar...............................................................................................23
Eliza Cohen.....................................................................................................25
Eva Mendes de Leon.....................................................................................29
Catalina Skinner...........................................................................................27
All other essay entries..................................................................................30
Project Teams.................................................................................................35
Cover photo by Theresa Aberle
2
About the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation From Deborah Pope, Executive Director,
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
The EJK Award, Bookmaking Competition and Mini-Grant Program together Dear Students, Educators and Families,
further the two central goals of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation to support public
education and to promote the creation of outstanding diverse literature for Students, you have conquered an extraordinary challenge. This has been a difficult
children. year for everyone and we see a level of understanding and compassion in these
essays that are well beyond your years. It’s a big accomplishment to get through
The Ezra Jack Keats Award, now in its 34th year, recognizes children’s authors hard times as you all have done. It’s another major accomplishment to think deeply
and illustrators early in their careers, encouraging them to continue creating about the problems you, your family and friends have faced, and to express your
exceptional books that reflect our diverse culture. Many past winners are now feelings as clearly as these essays demonstrate.
celebrated leaders in the field.
Under normal circumstances your essays would inspire pride, pleasure and great
The Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition was designed to give teachers expectations. But now, having come through the COVID-19 pandemic your work is
an effective teaching tool and demonstrate to students that learning can be fun. even more important. We have a greater need for events and accomplishments that
The program has flourished in New York City for over 30 years and has expanded to bring us joy and spark hope, as do your essays. This is why we thank you and it is
San Francisco and Atlanta. how you’ve made the world a better place.
Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grants support public school teachers and librarians Educators and families, thank you for supporting the creativity and determination
for their own special programs that enhance the learning experience. Since 1986 of these young people. This is a perilous time but the work you do with your
thousands of grants have been awarded to educators in all 50 states. children and students builds a bridge to a future for all of us. You cultivate our
greatest natural resource.
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation was established by the late children’s book
author and illustrator, Ezra Jack Keats, whose 1962 book The Snowy Day, broke the Great thanks go to Kimberly Grad, who designed and implemented this program,
color barrier in children’s publishing. More recently, The Snowy Day was adapted assembling the outstanding professional development support for teachers and
by Amazon as a holiday special (and winner of two Emmy Awards); a set of The librarians, and facilitating their participation in this program. Kim organized
Snowy Day stamps were issued by the U.S. Postal Service; and the New York outreach, managed the collation of essays, assembled the jury, guided the
Public Library announced that The Snowy Day was the most checked out book in deliberations and served as the conduit for communication between students,
their 125 year history, as part of the celebration of that anniversary. For more about families, educators and administrators. This could not have happened without her.
all of the Foundation’s activities, visit www.ezra-jack-keats.org.
We aslo thank Linda E. Johnson, President and C.E.O. of Brooklyn Public Library
(BPL), who gives us such a warm home in the Central Branch, and to Judy
Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983) Zuckerman, BPL Director of Youth & Family Services, as well as to the illustrious
Ezra Jack Keats was born in Brooklyn. His parents were Polish immigrants and the members of the jury, who have all contributed to making this essay competition a
family was very poor. Even when he was very young, he loved to draw. In junior success. Deepest thanks to all of you!
high he won a medal for drawing, which he treasured his whole life because it
encouraged him to persevere and become an artist.
Keep each other safe!
The first book Ezra illustrated and authored was The Snowy Day. It won the
Caldecott Medal in 1963, the highest honor a children’s book could win at that time, Sincerely,
and it remains a beloved classic.
Ezra went on to write and illustrate over 20 children’s books, including Goggles!,
A Letter to Amy, and Peter’s Chair. He is considered a pioneer in the field for his
realistic, urban, multicultural portrayal of childhood. He believed no child should
be an outsider and wanted to cultivate a love of reading and learning that would
last a lifetime.
4 5
First Place sister see you cry. You made a vow to Jamaica for a while and you won’t be
mommy to take care of your little sister able to explain the feeling because you
Serena Prince as she would. It was so hard to remain didn’t want to leave mommy, but you
Grade: 5 strong for both of you. It was worse wanted to go to Grandma.
School: P.S. 119 Amersfort still because you couldn’t leave the
But a warm hug from grandma changed
Teacher: Yolanda Fields house. You couldn’t go where anyone
Principal: Denise Nopper
everything and for the first time in a
else was in the house. All you could
long time you will feel like everything
do was watch movies and you always
will be just fine. The weather was warm,
seem to end up watching the news. As
and you could play outside, finally.
the death toll rose, so will your worries,
You still had to practice the same
scared that you wouldn’t see mommy
Dear me, By mid-January mommy explained precautionary measures, but it was so
again. But every evening when she
to you that you wouldn’t be going to much better. Aunty Tish will take you to
calls, your heart will leap with joy. Her
You will start the year with high the beach and cook delicious Jamaican
school every day of the week. You were voice soothes your worries and for a few
expectations. You will find yourself in foods.
confused, you will try to keep your minutes everything was ok.
a new country, about to start a new friends by texting, but I won’t be the
school. You will be excited to make new You will be fully aware of the problems
same and you and your friends will When mommy finally came home you
friends but nothing will prepare you for taking place in the world; you will
grow apart. Virtual learning will be were ecstatic. I remembered you
the chaos that is 2020. worry about mommy. You will feel guilt
confusing and prove difficult at first, cried, tears of happiness -- glad that
because you had left her all alone, there
but you will get hang of it. By April of the burden you carried for three weeks
Many disastrous events will change in America. What if she got sick again?
2020 you would have fully comprehend was finally over. But that happiness was
the world you know and change your Who would take care of her? The guilt
the effects of Covid-19 and it would short lived as soon after daddy lost his
prospective on many things. and the fear will follow you into 2021.
start to affect your everyday life. job and mommy would have to work
You will only be a year older in age,
I remember how you celebrated New By then the virus would have killed even more hours.
but you would have grown so much in
Year’s Day, you were especially happy hundreds of people. You will be scared
In July mommy said that would be heart, fully understanding that life is a
because you had gotten exactly what to go to the park or to the mall; the
visiting Aunty Tish and Grandma in precious but fragile thing.
you wanted for your Christmas present; very thought of going outside will
mommy had started a new job, daddy be frightening. You will be scared to
had gotten a new car and your little communicate face to face with the
sister was giving you a break. Sigh, life very friends you so missed, even from
was good, had you only known what behind a mask.
was around the corner later that very
month. It was May 19, 2020, you had just put “This pandemic is helping me to understand life.
your little sister to bed and were about Things could be worse. I laugh and smile to stay
You remember mommy and daddy to snuggle under the sheets of your positive, because I know one day this rollercoaster
talking about the fire in Australia, but own bed when daddy came to tell will stop and life will become normal again.”
it was far away, and you couldn’t fully you that mommy wouldn’t be coming
comprehend the damage it was doing, home for a while. You cried that night,
you were fine, it didn’t affect you and you didn’t sleep. To learn that your
you were too happy to think how very own mother had Covid-19 was Jard Wilson
selfish that thought was. devastating. For many nights you cried Grade: 5 Teacher: Ms. Chambers
silently, not wanting to let you baby School: P.S. 194 The Raoul Wallenberg School Principal: Jay Mendelsohn
6 7
Second Place will be targeted for something My parents tell me to learn
we are not guilty of. I am afraid from my past mistakes to make
Saphira Li my grandparent will be pushed a better future. Racism against
Grade: 3
or punched in the back of the people has been happening for
School: P.S. 11
Teacher: Ms. Banyan-Shepherd
head for no other reason than a long time. The past should
Principal: Abidemi Hope being Asian. Currently in school not be the present as we should
my class is reading A Jar of be learning the lessons of past
Dreams by Yoshika Uchida. I mistakes. I am hopeful that as
can connect to the Japanese my class discusses the topic of
family in the novel as they faced racism and seeing the movement
Have you ever felt that you due to an experience at school.
discrimination in California of Black Lives Matter, we
were judged by the color of your When the pandemic started, I
during the 1930s. This Japanese will cancel out prejudice and
skin and ethnicity? Well I didn’t didn’t think anything of it until
family faced harassments and racism for understanding and
know how it felt until the year I was in the school bathroom
attacks from their communities compassion.
2019 when Coronavirus started when a girl walked up to me and
for being Japanese just as many
happening. When I heard said, “China started the virus.”
Asians are currently facing. I
President Donald Trump and I didn’t understand why she
wish that people would stop
political leaders called the virus said that to me until my mom
blaming Asians for starting a
the Wuhan Flu, Kung Flu, and explained that people believed
virus when we should be working
China virus the world changed China has caused the virus. This
together to end this pandemic.
for me as an Asian American. It made me feel hurt because it
made me realize that I stood out was my first-time experiencing
just because I am Asian and face discrimination. I was also angry
the chance of discrimination. that this girl blamed me for
causing the virus when I didn’t
Since the pandemic, I have
cause it. I am born in America, “As a Black girl, I understand the need for
been doing remote school. I find
but my culture is different. I am Black Lives Matter. Although I am afraid, I
remote school hard as I find it
proud of my Chinese culture and
difficult to concentrate in front wish I could participate. I love the different
proud to be an American.
of a screen for a long period of murals and paintings on the streets. When I
time and the interaction with the Another reason I am glad to saw the protests for BLM in London as well
teacher is not the same. I miss be home is the attacks against in the United States, it made me proud.”
playing with my friends during Asians. When I heard my parents
lunchtime and saying hi and bye talking about the rise of Asian
to friends. However, I am glad to attacks it made me scared to Judera Burnham
be at home during the pandemic go out. I am afraid my family
Grade: 5 Teacher: Lizette Williams
School: P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Principal: Leslie Frazier
8 9
Third Place needed to social distance with my nearly enough. Even that was okay,
friends and would only go to school because my best friend lived in the
Lucia Weissman twice a week, it came as a blow. But same room as me.
Grade: 5 it wasn’t like Cape Cod. The room
School: P.S. 39 The Henry Bristow School The pandemic has been a terrible,
I shared with Cosi was brighter.
Teacher: Matthew Strong upsetting time. But Cosi is with me,
In school, the teachers were more
Principal: Sara Panag helping me, and bringing stability
attentive. I joined pods with friends
and love.
and played outside. But really, the
reason that life was better again
was Cosima. She could crawl on
My sister’s name is Cosima. It but I knew it confirmed our belief her own now and little noises that
means order and responsibility. that we should leave. And then, all were beginning to sound like words.
We laugh now because she zips the thrill was gone. I was scared. Every morning, I was woken up
through the house, making messes Cosi was barely 5 months, but by her soft cooing. And as I would
and causing chaos everywhere she something in her brain understood, sit at my desk on zoom meetings,
goes. But in small ways, she has and she wrapped her tiny hand Cosi would be beneath me, playing
lived up to her name. Without her, around my finger. She was a small with my toes and grinning. I did
I wouldn’t have survived the worst bit of order during a chaotic time. get to see my friends, but not
months of the pandemic. Without
Spring in Cape Cod is miserable,
her, my mind would’ve been in
and I barely got to go outside. But
complete disorder. She was there
in the morning, I would take Cosi
to hold my hand as we rushed out
from her crib and into my bed. We
of Brooklyn. She was my tiny spark
would climb under the covers and “A lot of my friends got to go upstate and quarantine,
of light during cold, gloomy days
play games. Even though she could where there was open space where they could run
in Cape Cod. And she was my best
barely understand me, she smiled around without masks. But that was their family,
friend as I adapted to life during the
and laughed. It was probably the MY family was stuck in our apartment in a busy city
pandemic.
only good part of my day. Those
where you couldn’t go out at all without fear of getting
A year ago, we had talked about months in Cape Cod hurt so much.
infected. I felt so left out of everything. But as I got used
school possibly closing due to this Without those special moments
to being inside, sometimes I didn’t even want to go
new virus, which seemed thrilling with Cosi, I don’t know what I
at the time. I wasn’t worried. But would’ve done.
outside. Over time, I started to realize that maybe this
as the days went by, it got scarier. was the right setting for me, so I accepted knowing that
A couple of months later, we were I was in the right environment.”
On Thursday, I stayed home from
on our way back to Brooklyn. I had
school. By nightfall I was packing.
daydreamed about coming home
The next night, we were on our way
to my nana’s house in Cape Cod. As
and subconsciously connected it Clara Cabnet-Galarza
to a return to normal. So, when I
we drove, my parents turned on the Grade: 5 Teacher: Sophia Phillip
did get home and realized I still
news. I forget exactly what it said, School: Brooklyn Friends School Principal: Crissy Cáceres, Head of School
10 11
Honor The music made me feel happy, more now because of the time we
but I worried that COVID-19 were apart.
Linh Kirk Soffer might not end.
Grade: 4 Upstate we went fishing. I
School: P.S. 139 Alexine A Fenty School When COVID-19 got a little bit caught some. My little brother
Teacher: Roshini Samlal
better, a playground opened. fished too, and he caught more
Principal: Mary McDonald
My friends and I played there. fish than I did, and he won five
We had to wear masks and we dollars because he caught more
also had to stay 6 feet apart. We than my uncle! I can’t believe
played football, catch and hide that, because my brother was
During COVID-19 I’ve been The worst thing I heard about and seek. only 4 and I was 9 and also my
inside too much. I looked at during COVID-19 was the uncle was really good at fishing
Now at least I get to go upstate to
the same walls. I slept in the death of George Floyd and and he knew all the good spots.
my grandmother’s house because
same beds all the time. I sat on the racism that caused it. My What was my 4-year-old brother
people are getting vaccinated. I
the same couch. I saw the same mother is Vietnamese, so racism going to do with five dollars in a
get to see my baby cousin. He’s
chairs and I sat in them every scares me. The Capitol riot also pandemic?
SO CUTE. I also have a dog up
day. happened, and a few people
there. He’s 63 in dog years. My COVID-19 has been one of my
died. Donald Trump wanted
My parents might have had a aunt and Uncle went to live there teachers. It taught me to be
them to riot because he said
plan to limit my screen time, but with their baby and dog because careful. It taught me my time
that the election was “stolen”
COVID-19 changed their plans. of COVID-19. I smile when I see with my friends and family is
from him! During the riot people
Before COVID-19 I had lots of my cousin and my Uncle’s dog worth a million diamonds to me.
were attacking places like the
friends to play with, I could also
Capitol building. In the paper
go to their houses and I could
they threatened they would
go to the playground or park
attack the Capitol of every state
with them! It was fun. I also
in U.S.A. I kept thinking about
liked going into the building for
hiding under the bed if they
school. During the pandemic,
chose to attack near my house!
I do everything online. I was
stuck inside, and it was hard, One way I got through COVID-19 “A huge tip is to make the place you stay
and I was a little lonely. Still, I was by practicing my violin most often clean and tidy. Trust me this
knew I had it better than a lot of every day. It’s really fun because will be a life changing tip.”
people, and that made me even there are so many pieces to play
sadder. and you usually don’t get bored.
Zara Habib Baig
Grade 5 Teacher: Yolanda Fields
School: P.S. 119 Amersfort Principal: Denise Nopper
12 13
Honor
Lorelei Schaary
Grade: 4
School: German School Brooklyn
Teacher: Jane Marie Hutcheson
Principal: Kathryn Nagle, Executive Director
Hybrid or Remote I can’t even remember the time
before we had two schedules to
Since the pandemic started, I
go between. We must have been
have had an extremely hard time
so happy because we didn’t have
knowing which school schedule I
to read all our emails and ask the
have to use.
teachers what schedule to use. I
One day, I was all ready and up for didn’t even know computers existed
school. I walked up to my dad and back then. What I remember most
said, “Why are you still in pajamas?” was hugging everyone.
“Whoa kiddo you don’t think you But now I know almost everything
are going to school, do you?” he I can know about the computer.
said. Whoops! looks like I have class
soon! (Who knows which type: in-
But I did. So, I went back to my person or zoom.)
room and unpacked my backpack.
But there is one thing I know about “If I could describe 2020 in two words, it would
Another time I was taking out the computer that makes almost be complex and teachable. 2020 can be complex
my computer getting ready for everything better: I know how to because everyday life changed for everyone. 2020
homeschooling but then my dad call my friends and family when I was teachable because it taught you to be grateful,
came in. need support. My best friend Caie and taught everyone to get out of their comfort
always has my back when I am
“What do you think you are doing? zone and adapt to the “new normal”. Be prepared
down… on Zoom that is!
We have to get to school! In-person for the new “normal” in the year 2020. Best of luck,
school that is.” So, I really quickly Looks like I gotta go! Bye! stay calm, and everything will be okay.”
got ready for school.
And those are only SOME of the
times that happened. There were a Zoe Giammanco
lot of other times too. Grade: 3 Teacher: Christine Luo
School: P.S. 154 Windsor Terrace School Principal: Jason Foreman
14 15
Honor Even though there has been a lot of to see change and I would like to
frustration but when Joe Biden won progress in helping change. My view
Esther Motia the election, I remember feeling has changed, and I want to use my
Grade: 5 that all the concerns on the topic of knowledge to help problems I see.
School: P.S. 321 William Penn climate change or global warming
Teacher: Kyla MacDonald
or racism had a shot at being fixed.
Principal: Liz Philipps
The Saturday that the results of
the election were announced was a
day I will never forget. Throughout
Prospect Park, cheering could
In COVID times I have started people were being killed because be heard. Music could be heard
to learn a lot more about the of their differences. I have started everywhere. I could say the music
government and how our country to be more aware in conversations could be heard for miles but that
is run. It has changed my view of about government and I realize how would be exaggerating.
things and it has made me try to important it is to know how our
It felt like the worries that had hung
be as open minded as possible and country is run.
over our heads like a toxic cloud
not look at things as a one-sided
It made me angry when I found had been lifted giving everyone
story. I thought everything was fair
out that when our nation’s capitol a sense of overall joy! I know the
and no one could ever be racist or
was stormed on January 6th, some world isn’t perfect, but I would like
sexist. I used to think the world
people in the crowd who claimed
was one way and that way was right
they were fighting for their country
but when I started to see protests
chose to wear Nazi shirts reminding
on TV it made me realize how
us of one of the most horrendous
imperfect our country is.
and consequential times in history! “I have learned to be grateful for things that
Before COVID hit I would never It made me frustrated knowing that I thought were normal. Things that I thought
include myself in conversations there was MILITARY weaponry at everybody had. For example, I thought everybody
with my parents about these topics. Black Lives Matter protests, but
had computers, iPads, phones and internet but
But now I am realizing that there there were just some police officers
I learned that a lot of people don’t. I thought that
are things in our country that need and guards when the capitol was
everybody had access to space, but I learned that
to be fixed, so I have tried to find stormed. Why would there be more
my voice and speak my concerns concern about people standing up
a lot of people are in tiny apartments with no
and thoughts. I now know that for their rights and less focus on access to any place to do work or school or exercise
having a different opinion might the terrorists that broke the law outdoors.”
not be bad and that you should and raided a SACRED BUILDING?
never hold back from stating what It’s puzzling to me that people still
you feel. I have started to pay more want to change the election and are Rayyan Ali Jivraj
attention to the news, asking more “attacking” the new President. Grade: 4 Teacher: Kerri Manson
questions, wanting to know why School: The Ella Baker School Principal: Joshua Satin
16 17
Honor on with my real-life virtual reality
except I never wanted to play this
Chase Aberle game this way.
Grade: 4
School: German School Brooklyn Some would say it’s GAME OVER
Teacher: Jane Marie Hutcheson because we had a very hard 2020.
Principal: Kathryn Nagle, Executive Director
So many things happened to not
just my family and friends but to
the whole world. Everyone and
everything have been affected
GAME ON!!!! things started to happen, things in some way because of COVID.
I did not even wish for or think For example: I can’t interact with
January 2020 was filled with friends, I can’t do sleepovers,
would ever happen! I found out
possibilities! My family and I I can’t do playdates. All these
that I was not going to go to
made maps of where we were and “can’t’s” started to make me feel
school for two whole weeks and
where we wanted to go by the end lonely.
that we would do school virtually.
of the year. We were having fun
Virtual school? Unexpectedly, But I am saying now that it’s
together thinking about all of the
my dad even showed up after “GAME ON!!!!!!” My map is back
possibilities. Our maps had lists
traveling for work, and that was and so am I!!!!
of each of our hopes and dreams
the best news yet. This year was
that we wanted to try to fulfill. We
getting better and better as each
even noticed some of our dreams
day passed. I could not imagine
were the same.
what was coming next!
In February, some of these things
Guess what? Really, guess what?
from our maps started to come
This great year, with perfect 20/20 “Despite all the pros and cons, the
true. We even stayed in a nice
vision and 100% excitement, pandemic was a very unexpected learning
hotel and went to see The Lion
started tumbling down on me
King on Broadway with friends experience. I believe that this pandemic
and hard. Little by little, I felt all
and family. The city looked less
my hopes and dreams fade away.
took a lot of opportunities from people that
crowded than usual but that made
I tried to hold on to them, but were active and wanted to be spontaneous.
it even more fun! My mom was This pandemic also taught us things like we
they slipped away like a slithering
also really excited because we
snake. should always be grateful for our things.”
got a big upgrade at the hotel for
free. Everything was great, and I I tried to remind everybody about
was excited for what more would our maps but there was no more
come true in this year of 2020. direction. I didn’t know what to
Scarlet Palmgren
Grade: 5 Teacher: Kat Miner
do so I kept quiet and continued
All of the sudden, more great School: P.S. 321 William Penn Principal: Elizabeth Phillips
18 19Honor fall in and the way the light was shining Minecraft. You will try new stuff that
off the water was so majestic. you wouldn’t usually do if it wasn’t for
Billie Jordan Coronavirus. Coronavirus is scary, sad,
If I could describe this year in one word,
Grade: 3 and challenging but someday we will
it would be different. You’ll learn a
School: P.S.130 The Parkside School overcome this tragedy.
bunch of new things, including how to
Teacher: Mauren Campbell
Principal: Stephanie Parsons
macramé, about the forest in Prospect Yours truly, Billie from 2021
Park, and how to play Roblox and
Dear Billie from 2020, the window and hearing the pipes in
the wall because of the quietness. The
Hey, I’m Billie from 2021. It’s March and sights are the same, like when you
Coronavirus is still happening. When could only see darkness when you
you figured out it was going to be all close your eyes. And the things you felt
remote school you were so happy, but are the same, like the faux fur on your
you feel different now. When you first pajamas and the pencil in your hand.
heard about the Coronavirus you were
still in school, I think you remember. At Here’s some advice so you can pass the
that point, you weren’t really thinking time in the house because Coronavirus
about how it could affect the whole for you mostly means at least five
entire world, you were just thinking times a week you’ll get bored. Play
about the fact that you were safe, and more chess with Daddy so you can
the Coronavirus couldn’t get to you. learn more about it and get better.
But unfortunately, you were wrong. Try focusing more on your work with
remote school and don’t play music too
Since I’m from the future, you might often while you’re working. Whenever
be wondering, “does it look different?” you’re scared to do something, just do How to Cure Boredom:
The outside world does look different, (especially if you don’t want to sit around staring at a screen all day)
it, because later you’ll regret not doing
no floating cars or trains on buildings, it. I was scared to go to the Prospect • Spend time with a pet…or take your neighbor’s dog for a quick walk
but a bunch of restaurants and places Park forest because I am not really a • Take on a hobby or learn a new language
people went to are closed. You can nature person. I mean, the only kind • Create a magazine
barely recognize who anyone is of bug I like is the rose-haired spider • Build a village out of dried beans, sticks and tissue paper
because masks cover half of their
when it’s in a cage. I didn’t really want • Take on baking or cooking
face. When writing this, I’m sitting to be in the forest because after 30 • Have a family game night to play board games or charades
on a new bed with a room with new minutes of walking my feet were killing
sprinkle wallpaper, a new desk, and me. I was really happy that I held all
a beanbag. I’m wearing new unicorn the pain in and just did it because when
pajamas. It’s late at night and Mommy we got there, there was a beautiful Aniela Coughlin
thinks I’m asleep. The sounds are still waterfall. The waterfall had giant Grade: 4 Teacher: Isabelle Belneau
the same, like the wind tapping against boulders on the edges so no one could School: The Ecole Principal: Jean-Yves Vesseau, Head of School
20 21Honorable Mention favorite project! She is a famous best part of Covid-19 because I
mathematician who worked for had so much time with my family.
Ariana Abreu NASA. I love math and she is my
Grade: 3 The other thing that my grandpa
hero. Did you know she lived to be
School: P.S. 312 Bergen Beach Brooklyn got me into over Covid-19
101 years old? I want to follow my
Teacher: Mrs. Collins was politics. He taught me
Principal: Jamie Yoo
dreams just like she did.
about elections, voting and the
Another thing my family did was President. We watched all the
cooking and baking. My grandma news about the election. It came
and grandpa cook the most between Joe Biden and President
2020 had lots of ups and downs. differences are what make us amazing food. We had dinner Donald Trump. Biden won and
It started when Covid-19 came. special. together every night. My grandma that made me happy because I
Covid-19 made people sick and let me cook with her. One of my think he is a good leader and a fair
Due to all of that we were forced favorite dishes was my grandma’s President.
I worried that my grandma and
to stay home. My family spent chicken parmesan and salad and
grandpa could get it. It also meant I have hope that 2021 is a better
time in front of the house making my grandpa’s burgers. I learned a
me, my sister and mom could get year!
chalk art. We made rainbows and lot of new recipes and lots of fancy
it. A few days later school was
hearts. We thanked the frontline ways to set the table! That was the
closed. I was happy to be home
workers and wrote messages of
and get to spend all this extra
peace and love for everyone to
time with my family! Soon after
see. It mattered to me because I
I began to miss my friends and
wanted to show my appreciation
I was sad. Everybody was stuck
and help bring people together.
inside and I was very bored. “My Great-Grandpa is an excellent chess
The other big change in my life player. He beat me more times than I can
One thing I did was to watch
was school. Since school was
the news with my grandpa. count. But somehow, that day, I beat him in
closed, we went to school online.
The biggest news story besides this exquisite sport. I knew me winning was
It was hard to make new friends. I
Covid-19 was the murder of
had a lot of homework and Google probably just luck. Even though he lost to
George Floyd. He was a black
man killed by a white police
meets. It was frustrating because me that day, I knew that he would not lose
officer. It made me feel very sad
learning online was so different. I the battle against Covid-19. He would fight
was lucky to have great teachers. and beat it as he beat me so many times on
because of how he was treated.
My teachers worked hard to
There were riots and protests. My the checkered board.”
help us learn and encourage us
family didn’t want me to be sad.
to stay positive. I did a lot of
They reminded me that we don’t
reading, I researched about the
treat people like that. You never
Dominican Republic and about
Michael Kotsar
judge a book by its cover and our Grade: 4 Teacher: Marilyn Jackle
Katherine Johnson. That was my
School: P.S. 206 Joseph F. Lamb Principal: Ellen Quigley
22 23Honorable Mention your class back home. How lifespan is about 200, you will
awesome is that. Now animals have to deal with your parents
Jamie McNair roam free. Sometimes we see barging in your room for a long
Grade: 4
School: P.S. 312 Bergen Beach
lions with their cubs. You can time. You will really like the
Teacher: Ms. Canrella Play with the adorable little school in the future, you will
Principal: Jamie Yoo cubs, but you might get sad get to see your teacher as a
because the cubs must go home hologram, and your friends too.
at night. This is the best part Now we are free, if you ask me,
right! free is the best life ever.
The letter from the future about what happened with my The future is amazing, so now Written by Jamie Ann McNair
family. My 109-year-old great you see that the future is okay.
Hello I am Kasey, and I am in
grandmother, and my 129-year- Trust me, I know that since the
the year 2121. A lot of crazy
old great, great Grandfather
things happened, but trust me,
made a Medical Rise like never
I know everything is going to
before. Before The average
be okay. In my time, Covid-19
lifespan was about 75 but now
is all gone, and a lot of other
It’s around 200! The cool thing
bad things are gone, too. Now
is that there are about 0 deadly
we can Live with Family and go
sicknesses.
to our friends’ houses and not “Whenever I can get the vaccine, I’ll be
worry about Covid-19. This is the best part, the LOVE
jumping at the chance. I’m sure that
OF ALL MOVEMENT, we get
Let’s go back a bit to when
a whole small town to live with the more people that get vaccinated,
Covid-19 started. So after the the sooner this will be over. Even if
family, and friends that want
vaccines came out, things
to live in the town. The cool Coronavirus is not fully defeated and
started to get way better in
the whole world, it seems like
thing is that we get to explore becomes like the flu, I don’t mind
the world for free with your wearing a mask for another year or
Covid-19 became a whisper.
friend and of course with your
But I only read this in my two. No matter what happens, nobody
family, you even have food and
textbooks so I don’t know
stays for FREE! SCHOOL IS
knows. But I know that Covid has to end
much more about it. That
AWESOME! If we were visiting sometime, right?”
was just what happened in
Egypt, we can go to a school
the world, now I will tell you
there or have a hologram of
Eliza Cohen
Grade: 3 Teacher: Mauren Campbell
School: P.S. 130 The Parkside School Principal: Stephanie Parsons
24 25Honorable Mention worked and schooled out of our There were a lot of frogs on the
little, pop-up camper. campsite. They had bumps on
Halcyanna their backs and came out at night.
Pasternak “What did I do there?” you might
ask. Well, of course, I did Zoom
Using a flashlight, I sneaked
Grade: 3 towards them, cupped my hands,
school, but I didn’t just do school.
School: P.S. 130 Parkside School caught them and let them go.
Teacher: Mauren Campbell
Join me for a moment. Step into
Principal: Stephanie Parsons my boots if you please. Wade into Catching frogs was easy, but how
the water and look at this beautiful would I catch the mysterious,
dam. furry animal lurking around
Camp School During COVID, there have been our campsite? I picked some
Woosh-bam-slam-crash. The water
a lot of changes. I am at home mushrooms and placed them by its
Shhh... be quiet or you might is rushing through the rocks. One,
most of the time, and my parents den. Then I sat and watched. After
spook it! Do you see what I see? two, three, four... I am building on
are here too – checking my work a while, it waddled out. It came to
Over there, poking its head out the river’s floor. Five, six, seven,
and setting timers, saying “Your me… It was a woodchuck!
of the ground. Head cocked, eight... I put the rocks in their
meeting is in 9 minutes!” My place. Brrrr, the stream is cold and And that was the end of COVID
interested in what I am doing. It
teachers are at school, but they my hands are turning red. I am camp school, an awesome and
won’t dare to come close. I creep
teach differently. They share building a dam that hopscotches unforgettable week.
towards it ever so slowly and
screens, show videos, have small across the stream so I can make a
quietly. And then, CRACK! I step
groups, and turn off the chat pool for frogs and fish.
on a stick and the animal scurries
when kids aren’t cooperating.
back down its hole.
I do see my friends and
Does this sound like school to
classmates every day, but not in
you? It doesn’t sound like school
person. Instead, I’m on Zoom. I
to me, at least before COVID.
can’t just get a hall pass, bump
But now that COVID is here, we
into friends and chitchat. Now I “My mom is on the phone with my grandma
have different opportunities, like
have to schedule everything so we
camp school! Before COVID, I arranging plans for her to come. Why aren’t
can all stay safe.
was in normal second grade. We we going there? The doorbell rings but it’s
ate lunch with our friends. We sat There’s one thing about COVID, groceries not my friend. Again, it rings. It’s
together to do math, writing, and though, that made school really a package but it’s not my birthday present;
reading. We went to the blue rug special this year: Camp school!
it’s masks.”
in the front of the room for show
In October, me, my parents and
and tell. We didn’t wear masks
my dog, LuluBelle, set up camp by
and we didn’t stay six feet away
from each other.
a stream in Stokes State Forest. Catalina Skinner
For one week, we slept, played, Grade: 5 Teacher: Gabe Gordon
School: Brooklyn Friends School Principal: Crissy Cáceres, Head of School
26 27Honorable Mention I learned how dangerous the we can all learn to accept each
coronavirus is and how fast other and live in peace. Just
Anaya Wilson it can spread from person to because the coronavirus started
Grade: 5
person. It reached so many in China, it does not mean every
School: The New American Academy
Charter School
countries around the world, Asian person should be blamed
Teacher: Bionca Olimpio even countries I did not know for it.
Principal: Lisa Parquette Silva about. It is important to learn
I am only 10 years old, I want
the symptoms like fever, chills,
to live until I am old. With the
cough, sore throat, and trouble
COVID-19 vaccines, I hope that
breathing. It is also important
The first time I heard about million deaths. I cannot even the situation will get better. I
to continue wearing a mask
COVID-19 or coronavirus was understand what the numbers hope that everyone can get the
and get tested to make sure.
around January 2020. I heard means. But I know that it is a lot vaccine. The vaccine will keep
Also, many Asians have been
on the news about a disease in and I feel sad. In the U.S., there us safe and make the whole
attacked and have lived in fear
China. Everyone questioned how are more than 28 million cases, world happy again. I believe it
since 2020. A 75-year-old Asian
it started and many believed it over 500,000 deaths and over 18 is possible to be in the world
man was beaten in California.
was from eating bats. Suddenly, million people who recovered. without COVID-19 again. My
This makes me angry. We should
people started to blame all My family has been very careful. dream is to attend 6th grade in
support each other to beat the
Asians. I remember when my We wore our masks outside. person in September 2021.
coronavirus. With police brutality
teachers and family told me We stayed six feet away from
against Black people, I hope that
about the coronavirus, mainly others. We washed our hands
about the symptoms and how immediately after coming home.
to protect ourselves from it. I We did not visit others. But in
did not take it seriously. I did August 2020, my grandmother
not think that COVID-19 was and my uncle became sick. My
going to be as bad as it has baby brother did not understand “In my mind I was dreaming that I saw
been. When the schools shut COVID-19. He always wanted
Corona in real life. He was all green and
down, I felt disappointed about to go see grandma, but we kept
sloppy. He was trying to touch my arm and
staying away from the school telling him it was impossible.
and having classes at home. I am At the end of January 2021, my a hand sanitizer bottle appeared next to
still disappointed about possibly father and mother also tested me. I took it and squirted on him and he
having my prom and graduation positive for COVID-19. I was disappeared.”
at home. worried about their health
and even had nightmares.
There are more than 111 Eva Mendes de Leon
Luckily, my siblings and I tested
million COVID-19 cases
negative. Grade: 4 Teacher: Isabelle Belneau and Mr. Fontenaud
around the world with over 2.5 School: The Ecole Principal: Jean-Yves Vesseau, Head of School
28 29All Entries
Author Grade School Teacher Author Grade School Teacher
Ariana Abreu 3rd PS 312 Bergen Beach Brooklyn Mrs. Collins Frances Bause Mason 4th German School Brooklyn Ms Jane Marie Hutcheson
Sarah Burnett 3rd P.S 130 Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell Andew Chilstrom 4th St. Bernards School Katie Cunningham
Emma Carr 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Danielle & Mrs. Stewart Jayda Conyers 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall
Jayleen Chang 3rd P.S 197 Kings Highway Academy Ms. Kaplan Aniela Coughlin 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall
India Chilov 3rd Quad Preparatory School Erika Flory Sanaa Crawford 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall
Anabia Choudhry 3rd P.S 197 Kings Highway Academy Ms. Kaplan Sophia DeNyse 4th The École Isabelle Belneau
Eliza Cohen 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell Amgelo Fuentes 4th P.S. 361 Mr. Trimboli
Amber-Amora Edwards 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell ZaVera Greenidge - 4th Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall
Evelyn
Juliet Gabel 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell
Kiersten Haggins 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall
Zoe Giammanco 3rd PS 154 Windsor Terrace School Christine Luo
Marlo Holderbaum 4th German School Brooklyn Jane Marie Hutcheson
Annaliese Ginsberg 3rd P.S. 154 Ms. Chiu
Aliana Jetha 4th German School Brooklyn Jane Marie Hutcheson
Talha Hossain 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell
Rayyan Ali Jivraj 4th The Ella Baker School Kerri Manson
Tayyaba Hossain 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell
Louise Jouvin 4th The Ecole Miss Belneau & Mr Fontenaud
Billie Jordan 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell
Aveleen Kaur 4th P.S. 139 Ms. Samlal
Madyson Kao 3rd P.S. 154 Ms. Luo
Michael Kotsar 4th P.S. 206 Joseph F. Lamb Ms. Marilyn Jackle
Alexander Kogan 3rd P.S 197 Dawn Torres
Soleil Landau 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall & Ms. Armstead
Saphira Li 3rd P.S. 11 Ms. Banyan
Elijah Lewis 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall & Ms. Armstead
Emma Lin 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell
Olivia Marecheau 4th P.S. 312 April Carnella
Muhammadali 3rd P.S. 197 Kings Highway Academy Ms.Tejiram
Mirmuhamedov Jamie McNair 4th P.S. 312 April Carnella
Zahra Nuwere 3rd P.S. 312 Mrs. Collins Eva Mendes de Leon 4th The École Ms. Belnau & Mr. Fontenaud
Jackson O’Connor 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Danielle & Ms. Stewart Ella Noseworthy 4th The École Ms. Belnau & Mr. Fontenaud
Halcyanna Pasternak 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell Tobias Peck 4th P.S. 38 Mrs. Segers
Saheim Rahim 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell Lorelei Schaary 4th German School Brooklyn Jane Marie Hutcheson
Ted Saint Paul 3rd P.S. 115 Daniel Mucatel school Ms. Ruiz Lucy Segelin 4th German School Brooklyn Jane Marie Hutcheson
Faiyaz Samin 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Ms. Mauren Campbell Linh Kirk Soffer 4th P.S. 139 Alexine A. Fenty Roshini Samlal
Penelope Siegel 3rd P.S. 154 The Windsor School Ms. Luo Julian Weston 4th German School Brooklyn Jane Marie Hutcheson
Joe Stewart 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Danielle Loccisano Ayanna Willoughby 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall
Lillian Tuzo 3rd P.S. 130 The Parkside School Danielle Loccisano & Christina Makayah Workman 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Marshall & Ms. Armstead
Stewart
Linura Abdunazarova 5th P.S. 128 Bensonhurst School Ms. Vallen & Mrs. Lewis
Zaina Walters 3rd P.S. 361 Mrs. Cheung
Dennis Andelman 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach School Cara Bianchi
Chase Aberle 4th German School Brooklyn Jane Marie Hutcheson
Anna Andreyko 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach School Cara Bianchi
Joshua Alleyne 4th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Mrs. Armstead & Mrs. Marshall
Calogero B. 5th PS 321 William Penn Ronda Matthews
30 31All Entries continued
Author Grade School Teacher Author Grade School Teacher
Jazminn Babb 5th Ocean Hill Collegiate Charter Ms. Palermo Scarlet Palmgren 5th P.S. 321 Kat Miner
Zara Habib Baig 5th P.S. 119 Amersfort Mrs. Yolanda Fields Maiya Pandya 5th P.S. 10 Mr. Feldman
Eloise Baker-Robbins 5th Brooklyn Friends School Thomas Henson Subayah Parvez 5th P.S./I.S. 104 Mrs.Metry
Maya Banner 5th P.S. 321 Kyla Macdonald Hannah Powell 5th NEST+m Tracy Jacobs
Deborah Bashiru 5th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Ms. Williams Serena Prince 5th P.S. 119 Amersfort Yolanda Fields
Daniel Belenky 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi Sahir Rao 5th P.S. 90 Edna Cohen School Mrs. Sigler
Masiela (Mazzy) Belt 5th Brooklyn Friends School Alison Mirylees Dekuri Reid 5th The New American Academy Ms. Olimpio
Judera Burnham 5th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Lizette Williams Alice Rondeau 5th P.S. 58 The Carroll School Katie Wheeler
Jennifer Buslovich 5th P.S. 277 Marguerite Burke Isaac Rothstein 5th Luria Academy Dru D’Amico
Clara Cabnet-Galarza 5th Brooklyn Friends School Ms. Sophia Phillip Edvin Saint Paul 5th P.S. 115 Daniel Mucatel Ms. Murray-Johnson
Taqbir Chowdhury 5th P.S. 171 Patrick Henry Ms. Samuel Lizaveta Samsonava 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi
Ford Cook 5th Ford Cook Felix Alberto Marium Sardar 5th P.S. 119 Magnet School of Global Yolanda Fields
and Ethical Studies
Christopher Cruz 5th P.S. 277 Mrs. Russo & Mrs. Kid
Lily Seibert 5th P.S. 39 Ms. Ulanowsky
Sidney Dunn 5th Brooklyn Friends School Gabe Gordon
Hifsa Shafi 5th P.S. 119 Magnet School of Global Yolanda Fields
Yaretzi Flores Macedo 5th P.S. 90 Mr. Fries & Mr. Morton
and Ethical Studies
Veloria Gittrich 5th Brooklyn Friends School Sophia Phillip
Veronica Simon 5th P.S. 321 Laurie Basloe
Shaan Glazer 5th Birch Wathen Lenox School Melissa Freeman
Matthew Singer 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi
Sophie Herard 5th P.S. 119 Amersfort Mrs. Field
Catalina Skinner 5th Brooklyn Friends School Gabe Gordon
Aliza Hykin 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi
Michelle St. Germain 5th The New American Academy Mrs. Cox
Victor Irizarry 5th P.S. 90 Ms Solomon Charter School
Lindsay John 5th The New American Academy Ms.Olimpio Abdul Syed 5th P.S. 119 Magnet School of Global Yolanda Fields
Charter School and Ethical Studies
CJ Johnston 5th Brooklyn Friends School Sophia Philip Brendon Vilar 5th P.S. 277 Gerritsen Beach Dr. Burke
Avian Knight 5th The New American Academy Ms. Olimpio Fabiola Vulcano 5th Brooklyn Friends School Gabe Gordon
Charter School
SummerLove Webb 5th P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks Lizette Williams
Alan Kofman 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi
Lucia Weissman 5th PS. 39 - The Henry Bristow School Matthew Strong
Abbi Kotikovski 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi
Sarah Williams 5th P.S. 134 Langston Hughes School Ms. Gillingham
Kristina Lantushko 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi
Anaya Wilson 5th The New American Academy Mrs. Bionca Olimpio
Danielle Levitt 5th Brooklyn Friends School Gabe Gordon Charter School
Lev Markel 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi Jard Wilson 5th P.S. 194 Mrs. Chambers
Insaf Mohamed Irfan 5th P.S 119 Amersfort Mrs. Fields Kayla Yadgarov 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi
Esther Motia 5th P.S. 321 Brooklyn Kyla MacDonald Xiya Zhuo 5th P.S. 277 Dr. Burke
Avigail Muravchik 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi Julia Zorin 5th P.S. 195 Manhattan Beach Cara Bianchi
Elmira Nebijovski 5th P.S. 128 Bensonhurst Mrs. Lewis
32 33Project Teams
“Into the first month of the pandemic, my
Brooklyn Public Library
father brought home Covid. He had to
Librarian partner team for workshops
quarantine himself for a week. Within Sheneatha Frison, Senior School Outreach Librarian, Youth and Family Services
that week, my mom got Covid, then I Olivia Kim, Senior Children’s Librarian, Windsor Terrace Library
started feeling a little sick. I had a Zoom Josh Goldstein, Senior Children’s Librarian, Coney Island Library
Lisa Goldstein, Division Chief, Central Youth Wing
with the doctor (that’s right -- a Zoom), Ann Lautner, Senior Children’s Librarian, Mill Basin Library
and she reassured us that I had a “mild Maria McGrath, Senior Children’s Librarian, Macon Library
cold.” Turns out, I also had Covid. It took
Selection Panel
a painful month and a half for me and
Chair
my family to recover. After a month and Kimberly Grad, Coordinator, School Age Services
half of quarantine, I recovered, but I still
Selection Committee Members
had some problems. People were afraid to Meghan DiTommasso, Senior Children’s Librarian, Cypress Hills Library
play with me while they still played with Lisa Goldstein, Divison Chief, Central Library Youth Wing
Ann Lautner, Senior Children’s Librarian, Mill Basin Library
other kids. They were probably afraid Maria McGrath, Senior Children’s Librarian, Macon Library
that I had “Coronas,” as they called Yesha Naik, Senior Children’s Librarian, Youth Wing Central Library
Donette David Riker, Senior Children’s Librarian, East Flatbush Library
Covid. That left me with no one to play Jess Harwick, Senior Children’s Librarian, McKinley Park Library
with and only Zoom. My family needed
fresh air and an easy, accessible place to Community Word Project Workshops
swim because the pool was closed, and Autumn Tilson, Senior Program Manager
the salt air at the beach helped me and Teaching artists Jashua Sa-Ra, Molly Goldman and Phyllis Capello
my mom recover from Covid. Now I am
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
at a new school with new friends.”
Deborah Pope, Executive Director
Diana Vozza, Associate Director
Isaac Rothstein Project Management
Grade: 5 Teacher: Dru D’Amico Kimberly Grad, Coordinator, School Age Services, Brooklyn Public Library
School: Luria Academy Jennifer Macaluso, Freelance services
Jay Boucher, Designer
34 35bklynlibrary.org/ezra-jack-keats
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