The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 201

E8 MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2000 LOS ANGELES TIMES The Kids' Reading Room The Kids' Reading page is part of the Reading by 9 literacy project. Contest BOOK REVIEWS BY KIDS 111 PARTI By EVE BUNTING A drawing of "Black Beauty," by 8-year-old Samuel, of Sherman Oaks. Horse Around With Adventure 1 e've asked you for reviews of your favorite books: I was the one who found out about the short story competition. I read it in the newspaper. "Kids," it said, "write a short story and send it to us.

The writer of the story we judge to be best will win an RX7 mountain bike, fire-engine red with oversize rims. Four second-place winners will also get great awards. Start writing nowl" I was very excited, and I rushed to the phone to call my best friend, Kayla. She was excited too. "I love to write stories," she said.

"I do too," I told her. And I suddenly thought: Kayla's better at writing stories than I am. I hope I'm going to be nice if she wins that RX7 mountain bike, fire-engine red, and I don't. "What are you going to write about, Ashley?" Kayla asked me. "I haven't decided yet," I told her.

"I'm getting an idea already," Kayla said "But we should go to the library. That's where authors do their research. I just hope those two rotten boys aren't there." I gave a sniff. "Jeffrey Claiborne and David Garcia. Yuck and double yuck." Kayla gave a loud sigh.

"They'll probably be there, all right. Anyway, I'll tell you later what my idea is." "I'll tell you too," I said. Tuesday: What will Kayla and Ashley decide to write about? Eve Bunting once won a watch in a writing contest. This story will be on The Times' Web site at http:www.latimes.comkids. i ZZ ff firi r' I i V.

2s 0 i h4 f'i as i .1 "Black Beauty" byAnnaSewell Once upon a time, there was a horse who had a baby. It was brown and had a white spot on its head. Every day he got darker. He soon became an adult male horse. He got sent to London.

His new owners called him Black Beauty. He became friends with two other horses. They soon had lots of adventures. Samuel, 8 Chandler Elementary Sherman Oaks "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George Have you ever been to the Catskill Mountains? Well, pack your bags and get ready to live on the "wild side." Sam Gribley, 12, runs away from home. He is determined to find his great-grandfather's farm.

Will he survive winter? Find out when you read this exciting book. See you on "My Side of the Mountain." Maggie, 12 Lake Arrowhead Elementary Lake Arrowhead Compiled by MARY ELLEN WALKER Kids, please send us a short book review. If you like to draw, you can also send a color illustration with your review. Try to tell us about a book that has not been reviewed in this column yet. Be sure to include the title and author of the book.

See "How to Write to Us" on this page for more information. I Iff -MMd ii REUBEN MUNOZ Los Angeles Times California Classroom A Learning Link to Juneteenth JOKES RIDDLES 1 I Today is Juneteenth a state holiday in Texas and an event celebrated in other states as well, including California. The Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Los Angeles held Juneteenth activities on Saturday. But what is it? The holiday gets its name from the date June 19, 1865 when slaves in Texas were told they were free. This was some 2V2 years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves living in Confederate states.

Unfortunately, these states had seceded from the United States and were at war with the remaining Union states. They ignored the proclamation, and news of its existence was slow to travel through the South. Though the Civil War had ended in April 1865, slaves in Texas were among the last to learn of their freedom. On June 19, Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to spread the news: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the executive of the United States, all slaves are free Juneteenth celebrations began, and have continued ever since! Today, Juneteenth emphasizes education and achievement.

Its goal is to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African-American history and culture. The day traditionally includes prayers and speeches and is celebrated with strawberry soda pop, rodeos, barbecues, games and dances. Want to learn more? Check out these books: "Freedom's Gifts: A Juneteenth Story, by Valerie Wilson Wesley; "Juneteenth: Freedom Day, by Muriel Miller Branch; and "Juneteenth Jamboree, by Carole Boston Weatherford; or go to http:www.juneteenth.com. What do you call it 1 1 wnenone bull spies on another GEORGE WILHELM Los Angeles Times Crowd at last year's Juneteenth celebration at the Gene Autry Museum listens to Emancipation Proclamation. GARFIELD By Jim Davis I I HATE MONPAVS VOUR A steak-out.

(Belinda, 7, Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, Lincoln Heights) What is worse than my brother whining for something? When he doesn't get it. (James, 9, Cox Elementary, Fountain Valley) What do you get if you cross broadcasters Chick Hearn and Stu Lantz? Chick'n Stu. (Jaclyn, 8, Jordan Elementary, Whittier) Kids, send us your jokes and riddles. Include your name, age, school and city. See "How to Write to Us" on this page for more information.

-BOT, WHAT KNOW? I IT 5 MONPAv. BIRTHPAv How to Write to Us Kids, to take part in a feature on this page or to contact us, write to Kids' Reading Room, Southern California Living, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st Los Angeles, CA 90012; or fax (213) 237-0732; or e-mail socallivinglatimes.com. You must include your full name, age, school and city Mm surp youR chxi mm wppy PNPINQ Did you know that kids who keep reading over vaca- child's mind active with fun reading activities, JV NS-d A tion are 'ess like'y t0 fa" benind in school and more music, art projects and more. Kids and parents can jt likely to develop a lifelong love of books? even win Pnzesor participating.

To sign up k. r. j( UP for tne summer reading program at If 4 your school-age child or to find out more, jf, riV your local public library and we'll keep your A 1 call or visit your local public library. Kr'' 1 1 Sfip Mm Kkh Itul ilw Way BiA -a- jf-!" public libraries Ai Or ariRe. Riverside.

1 I i) San Bernaidino and Ventura counties. Lst-l S'2n up for the Summer Reading Program today..