By: Lilly C
New York, Grade: 7

Dear Journal,

Today was a long hard day for mama and papa. Papa came home, convered in dust. And mama came home, with a hurting back. Things are not looking up. Papa lost his whole life savings, and we are moving to California. Kasey, my little sister, is becoming sick. She's having a strange sickness. Papa told us that we are going to move to California, and we must leave everything behind. Mama was crying by her window, and praying to get through this trouble. Leaving New York, would mean leaving my family and friends behind. This is not my most wonderful time....Kasey had to stay in bed the whole week, mama came home from working in the factory, and papa came home form working in the coal mines....this is making our whole nation upset. Papa blames the president, but I think it's the people's fault. Mama is trying as hard as she can, to be strong...but I think I can't.