We played games yesterday at the writing festival. One was the most competitive game of Duck Duck Goose I have ever played. I was the natural goose for those who wanted to get away because while I was bigger than the kids, I was also slow. The game draws out deep psychological issues: do I pick my best friend? The person least likely to catch me? The group leader just out of high school who is so cool? Hard choices for a kid to make. Me? I picked whoever hadn’t been picked in a while.

Another game involved a beach ball with questions taped onto each of its sections. Only one kid chose the one about the book he thought everyone should read. I have already forgotten the title, but it was about gangs. One kid wanted to go back in time to visit the Egyptians. A tutor wanted to visit the civil rights marches. Parents and uncles still win the role model award, at least in public. The kids would outlaw school and adults if they were president.

And we played Two Truths and a Lie. Eventually, even the shyest kids in my group wanted to get their word in. I like the game because I can surprise people who don’t know me very well by choosing “I broke my leg playing football” as one of my truths; like the Spanish Inquisition, no one expects that! I also like seeing what people share. There are a surprising number of people who have or have had rabbits as pets. I am also happy to report that Jose does not suck at soccer and Pablo is not, in fact, a fish.

Today I’m bringing some of my picture books. We’re writing about neighborhood and community today. Wish me luck!