Readers Digest

READERS 10 Exclusive
DIGEST Stories!
BY ────
STELLA M.
PROPHATER 2 Personal
Stories!
pg. 1 ────

A Book Review!
────

A Secret Recipe!
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And Much More
All Found Inside!

STELLA M.
PROPHATER
Ms. Anderson

Hour 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. True Story
4. Humorous Story
5. Recipe for Lasagna
6. Technology Netflix
7. Dyslexia in Teens
8. The Mandela Effect
9. Spotlight on Adult
10. Spotlight on Track
11. What to know for 8th Grade
12. Show Review

pg. 2

TRUE STORY

My first time babysitting was absolutely the worst experience ever. It was for two
young girls and a little boy. The parents were going to be gone from 6:00-11:30. The
dad seemed creepy with his dirty looking clothing and uneven beard, the mom was
beautiful. I worked with the mom in my VBC classroom over the summer, where we
met and she asked me to babysit. When I arrived at the house I was nervous for this
basic middle school job. I asked the mom if there were any certain instructions or
anything I needed to be aware of, she gave me a look and said absolutely not they can
do whatever. That made me worried and confused on what I was supposed to do with
the kids. When the parents left the three kids went from quiet little angels too loud,
energetic demons. It took me a good 45 minutes to calm them down and get them to
stop running and hiding from me. We all sat down in the basement and decided to play
a game. The youngest of the 3 got angry that we didn’t play the game his way, so he
ran upstairs yelling, crying and stomping. I went upstairs but couldn’t find him
anywhere. I ran around yelling his name but couldn’t find him anywhere. I finally
realized the front door was not shut all the way. I ran outside and find the kid sitting in
the middle of the street crying. My heart dropped and I sprinted to go get him. I brought
him inside and calmed him down. The rest of the night did not go much better.

pg. 3

HUMEROUS STORY

A bird had died on our back porch and I was four years old and didn’t
know what happened when you die. So my mom was going to teach me about heaven.
My mom took the bird and put it in the garage trash can. For further reference I saw my
mom physically put the bird in the trash can. Later my mom tried telling me the bird
went up to heaven with god. I created a look of confusion on my face and my hands
went to my hips. Does she think I’m dumb is this her kind of joke to tell me. I had heard
of heaven but I thought it was a joke as I saw her put it in the trash can. I start yelling
and hitting the trash can. “NO MOM THE BIRDY IS IN THE TRASH CAN, NOT
HEAVEN” She sat me down again and tried to explain further, this ended the same
way. “MOM STOP LYING I SAW YOU PUT HIM IN THE TRASH AND YOU NEED TO
STOP LYING!” My mom finds this whole scenario historical. I personally find lying not
humorous.

pg. 4

RECIPE FOR LASAGNA

This is a special meal in my family because it has been passed down. My grandma makes
this recipe any time we go to visit her in Ohio. Also when my mom makes it she always has at least 2 of
my siblings help because it’s a family tradition. It’s everyone's favorite meal and we always make it on
holidays and birthdays. My mom adds a twist on regular lasagna by adding coconut oil and honey. This
is a recipe that I plan to carry on to my kids when I’m older and hope to share it with others. It’s great
for a family of six because we can have leftovers for lunches the next day. We usually make it one day
before a swim meet or big sporting event to carb up. This is also great to prepare the night before and

pg. 5

stick it in the fridge and all you have to do is throw it in the oven for 45 minutes before, for all of those
busy nights.

TECHNOLOGY NETFLIX

Netflix is owned by many households across America and affects those of all
ages. So many people binge watch shows, staying up late causing lack of sleep. Lack
of sleep leads to less concentration, low energy, faster aging, and can lead to weaker
immune systems leading to sickness (Binge Watching). About 10% of viewers will
finish a season in less than 24 hours (Wallenstein). The next problem is cable TV.
Netflix is cheaper than most TV providers and offers more shows and movies. Lately
Netflix has been high in the stock market and lots of TV providers have gone
downward. This has created large problems for many cable networks.
Netflix is great for events. You can watch a movie at a party, watch it with your family,
and even when you're alone. Many have become less social and more attached. Back
when Netflix's was still new you had to order what movie or show you wanted to watch
and then get it delivered to your house, where now it's streaming online making it much
easier to watch or binge. Netflix's main watchers are all teens and families even when
they still have school it has become so popular. Netflix has been in business and has
been most popular in the past 10 years. Streaming many shows and movies adding
many weekly the business is on a rise in the industry.

https://www.netflix.com

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270665559_The_Netflix_Effect_Teens_Binge_Watching_and_On-
Demand_Digital_Media_Trends

http://thepiper.k12.somerville.ma.us/wordpress/the-effects-of-binge-watching-netflix/

pg. 6

DYSLEXIA IN TEENS

Dyslexia is a learning disability that means having trouble reading. Dyslexia is a
condition that people are born with, most of the time running in families. Dyslexia is
where someone has a hard time processing words and/or numbers. Dyslexic teens
sometimes lack a sense of direction, have trouble expressing thoughts or ideas, can’t
understand jokes, struggle to learn a foreign language, and letters/words move or flip.
It's incurable and you don't grow out of it. (Teen Health) Say a person with dyslexia
was at dinner they might order the same meal as someone at the table or look at the
menu before they arrive because reading it such a time consuming, difficult task. 70%-
80% of people with poor reading skills are likely to have some form of
dyslexia.( Dyslexic Help) There are two types of dyslexia that can occur which are;
acquired and developmental. Acquired dyslexia is caused by an illness in childhood
that leads to permanent damage, where Developmental dyslexia is caused by
congenital and developmental factors. Teens with dyslexia have found strategies to
help them through their problem like therapy, online readers, and many more.
(Dyslexic Help) People with dyslexia are most of the time extremely smart in all of their
other school subjects and the only thing holding them back is their
reading.(Understanding Dyslexia) Teens and even all ages of people with dyslexia are
not alone there are many support groups and online groups for people with the same
condition.

http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/dyslexia.html
http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/answers/faq
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/understanding-
dyslexia

pg. 7

THE MANDELA EFFECT

The Mandela effect is a conspiracy where an event happens a large amount of
people remember this happening a certain way, but when looked back upon the event
has mysteriously changed. This conspiracy is based off a man named Nelson Mandela
a man who is remembered to supposedly have died in prison. Many people remember
this event occurring, but soon a few years later when Nelson was out of prison reads
“Nelson Mandela’s Death”. The conspiracy The Butterfly Effect goes along with the
Mandela effect. This is where in an alternative universe someone changed something
so minor it had a ripple effect or butterfly effect on many later events. Now to some
examples of the Mandela effect. I’m going to start with the most popular, which is about
the Bernstein Bears. A popular TV show with many books. Well the theory is a ripple
went off and changed the spelling from Bernstein to Bernstain. Bernstain? If you do not
believe me on that go find any old book or recording of the show and in everyone the
name is spelled with an “A”. Another conspiracy is relate to the most famous line in
Snow White. The Queen says “mirror on the wall who’s the fairest of them all.”
Everyone has remembered it as that quote but looking back on the event she actually
says “Magic mirror on the wall who is the fairest one of all”. Once again this is a
conspiracy led by The Mandela Effect. One final effect that I will talk about today is the
Mickey Mouse conspiracy. Many people remember mickey mouse having red, yellow,
or black suspenders to hold up his shorts, but this never happened. Mickey Mouse has
never had suspenders in any show, book, or movie. These all are examples of the
Mandela Effects.

pg. 8

SPOTLIGHT ON ADULT

Gloria (Broo) Smith was born in Kokomo, Indiana on July 17th, 1945. Her parents
were Stella Louise (Byers) Broo and Carl Louis Broo a housewife and lawyer. She
grew up in a ritzy town and attended Kokomo High school she liked high school. She
was in many social groups and was the first of her friends to get a car. She was a part
of many committees like dances, school newspaper, since many girls didn't do sports
they would take part in clubs. She volunteered and did community service a lot. Her
first job was working at the country club snack bar. She went to Indiana State
University where she met Mark Smith. She then decided to drop out of college to marry
Mark. They were married on September 2, 1967 in the First congregational Church in
Kokomo Indiana. That is when she found her purpose in life, being a caregiver. She
now has 2 daughters Christi and Cheryl and 6 grandchildren that range from the ages
of 8-19. Now in her free time she enjoys having fun and volunteering in church every
Sunday.

pg. 9

SPOTLIGHT ON TRACK

This year seventh graders were eligible to try track and cross country. Today I will be
comparing the two and focusing on meets. For track girls practice every other day switching
off with the boys. Where with cross country practices were 5 times a week. About 5 times as
many people do track than cross country most likely for the variety. In track there are both
field and running events. There are about two meets a week and are each against a different
middle school. Meets start at 3:15 and go till around 5:30. The field events available consist of
shot put, discus, long jump, triple jump, and high jump. For running there are hurdles, sprints,
relays, and distance. The 100 meter dash is the most popular event due to it being short,
quick, and at the beginning of the meet. This is where a majority of racers compete making a
very close race only shaped by a few milliseconds each meet. Track is very social and not
very competitive. Most people do it to be social and stay fit. Each practice the coaches are
making some new fun game or we all go to our event. I'm going to talk all about hurdles. They
are fun and a fast race. For this its seventy five meter long run with a series of hurdles.
Another field event is long jump. You start at your marked length then run to the white fault
line. Jumping when you reach and going as far as possible in the sand pit. Another event is
High jump, starting at your marked spot jumpers run a certain path in the shape of a “C” or
“J”. You then try to jump and clear the bar. You are allowed 3 attempts at each height length.

pg. 10

This is just a few of the many events available to compete in at track, but all events seem like
lots of fun!

WHAT TO KNOW FOR 8TH
GRADE

I know I’m not in 8th grade but I’m going to share what I’ve heard and know for past
experiences. First, do not start drama not one needs the stress, tension, and no one wants to be a
part of drama. Next, be yourself no one needs two of the same person. Going along with that don’t be
clingy to one group of friends it is okay to have more than one best friend or friend groups. Try in all of
your classes. It is only going to hurt you in the long run if you only give fifty percent of your effort.
Since eighth grade is our last grade before high school you should make it fun and practice study
habits for high school and college. Next, you should try new activities, you never know you might be
great at track or great on stage performing, or even on the sidelines cheering others on. Also, set a
good example for the younger grades because they all look up to you as to your actions and words.
Stay positive, it will become hard at some points but you need to keep trying. For a heads up now you
are going to have more homework, assignments, and test. So stay on top of all of your studying. Be
nice to everyone you do not know the next time you will need some help in a class. This is a major
one for middle school because everyone is still trying to find themselves, friends, and what they want
to do with their lives, but do not trust anyone with a secret. Secrets are made to tell and they always
get out even if it is something you do not want people to then I’ll suggest not bringing it up at all. Also
show respect to others you are always building your character and you want to be as positive and
good as possible.

pg. 11

SHOW REVIEW
13 REASONS WHY

A show about teens, suicide, friendships, and heartbreak. The show is streaming
on Netflix and focuses on a girl, Hannah Baker, and a boy Clay Jensen. The plot of the
show is Hannah Baker records 13 tapes each based on a certain person who led her
to her death. Some are to friends who stabbed her in the back, to those her hurt her,
and those who weren't there. One day Clay comes home to find a mysterious package
waiting on his front porch. In it lies 13 tapes recorded of by Hannah Baker before she
committed suicide. The first season of 13 episodes consists of Clay listening to all 13
tapes. The show is amazing for high scholars because it shows an accurate
representation of what high school is like. The main lesson is that no one notices or
cares about suicide until it has already happened and that seems to be true for many
high schools. Everyone should watch this show because it's real, informative,
emotional, and has many very talented actors. So now I will give you 13 reasons why
you should watch 13 reasons why. 1. The actors aren’t only good at what they’re
doing, but they are relatable. 2. The show isn’t only about suicide but bullying, which
most can relate to. 3. It talks about how rape is real and teaches about the emotional
trauma they are put through. 4. It show teens usage of drugs. 5. The show has you on
edge wanting more. 6. it’s a show that shows girl drama and how to handle it. 7. It is
not just about the boys, it has how to deal with girls. 8 The show teaches how rumors
can affect someone and how they tear friendships apart. 9. The music throughout is
very advanced. 10. The sets are very realistic. 11. The script is very well written. 12
The story unfolds neatly but slowly. 13 Everyone who watches it takes something out
of it and are able to apply it to their everyday lives.

pg. 12