CARLY: FIRST DAY BACK BLUES...

Reader Carly writes about her first day back at school… not the perfect first day, alas!

Carly says:

Everyone wants their first day back at school to run smoothly. You want to make a good impression, look cool and organised. Well… let's just say my first day back at school was kind of tragic. I usually walk in with a friend, but she was running late so I had to head in on my own… it turned out later that she'd got to my house just about the same time I got to school, so it was a good job I didn't hang on, but it was a stressful start. The school decided to give us new black binders - they were cheap and smelled like those paddling pools you had when you were little. We were told to go easy on the decoration and make it subtle, but… well... that just isn't my style. I adore art and my mentor is an art teacher, so I just let my imagination go crazy. I'll probably be in big trouble by this time tomorrow… sigh.

At break time, a boy I knew from last year unzipped the pocket of my bag and and took out my new ruler… well, I love my stationery and I was NOT having that. I chased him, slipped, fell over the football table and dropped my chocolate bar. I ended up losing a ruler and a chocolate bar too… and when I slipped I really hurt my leg. It feels like I have a bit of bone sticking out under the skin… ugh. To add insult to injury, I was late to my first class. My friend and I didn't realise we had a room change and waited with a Year Seven class (we're Year Eight…) for half an hour before we finally realised. Oops! Year Eights are meant to know their way around… but not me, clearly.

It turned out in the end we had been given the same seating plan for everything, and typically, I seem to be stuck on the Table of Death… everyone on that table hates me with a passion and gives me an evil stare every time I breathe. Nice. Things can only get better, right? Well, maybe. I was glad to get home… but just to top off my disastrous day my PE bag split in half. Well, it's not like I need it or anything… arghhh!

Cathy says:
Some days are just doomed from the start… I feel your pain, Carly! Hope things look up soon! Have YOU ever had a day of non stop disasters? COMMENT BELOW and tell us more!

WHAT READERS THINK ABOUT THE REFUGEE CRISIS...

Readers share their feelings on the refugee crisis and families fleeing from war-torn Syria; it makes for powerful and heartfelt reading…

Sarah says:
I live in France and every day on National Information we have things about immigration. I want to do something to help all of them but I am too young. When I am getting older, if this continues, I swear I am going to do something. I want to do something. I have the opportunity to grow up with no civil war. I have the opportunity to grow up with no poverty. I can go to school. I can have a book and read. Not every child can do this. France is a land of liberty. Also, the European Union is a symbol for the poor in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. I hope they can have a better life in our union. I want to do something to make this happen.

Emily says:
Every time I see something like this I think about when me and my friends are moaning about bot having enough money to go into town and buy the latest clothes and make up when there are some people who don't even have a safe home any longer. In places like the UK we should all be more thankful that we can go to school and not have to live our lives in fear. It is so unfair that where you are born affects your whole future so strongly, because that is something none of us can control.

Abigail says:
It is really heartbreaking seeing pictures of dead children on beaches. I wish I could do something to help, but I am too young and I have no money. If I could, I would do all I could. Currently I am living with my granddad and I hate it when he yells at the TV that the refugees should go back to their own countries. It is even worse when you see 'friends' share pictures that tell the refugees to stay away and try to claim that all they want is money. I watched a documentary about Calais and it was heart wrenching. The police brutality there is extreme. I read somewhere that many millions of people have fled countries affected by war and ISIS terrorism, but that only a tiny fraction have arrived at Calais.

Hannah says:
It makes my blood boil to hear people saying 'refugees are not our problem because we need to look after our own.' They are humans too, they ARE our own! Just imagine the bad fortune to be born in a country that finds itself torn apart by war. That's all it boils down to, luck of birth. If the shoe were on the other foot, we'd be screaming for people to do something. These people's lives are in danger and our nation shames itself by its response.

Hope says:
I feel very upset when I see people - even friends sometimes - saying that refugees are not wanted in Britain. I feel this because my parents are immigrants also, and when people say bad things about the migrants it hurts. I know we are not English, but Britain is our home and we love it. I would not let the refugees from Syria drown trying to find a safe place to live. They are living in tents with no food and no supplies except what others can spare for them. And soon the bad weather will come. What then? I think we could make them welcome, all across Europe, show them that we care. When I see some things people write and say and what the newspapers print, it makes me ashamed and also frightened. We are all people, aren't we?

Photos with thanks to UNHCR & UNICEF.
Those who wish can donate via Save The Children, Red Cross or CalAid. To donate blankets, toiletries, food etc, check to see if your area has a collection point for refugee relief.

Cathy says:
I know my readers are pretty awesome but these comments make me so very proud of the young people of Britain and France. You have the biggest hearts ever. Hope says it all when she says 'we're all people, aren't we?' Put yourself in the shoes of those families fleeing from extreme danger and you can't help but feel sympathy. COMMENT BELOW if you want to add to Sarah, Emily, Abigail, Hannah and Hope's messages of support...

EMILY: A NEW START

Reader EMILY, aged fourteen, is one of the winners of my 'DIFFERENT' themed writing comp with this topical and emotional story about a refugee coming to Britain…

A New Start by Emily T, age 14

Her body filled with a sense of anxiety as she gazed up, her green eyes fixed on her new school building. She could hear the children's voices around her but she didn't dare join in, for fear of muddling up her English. She stared around blankly and saw the cars in the car park covered with a blanket of fresh snow. She saw the forgotten trees in the distance, their branches bare. Everything she had ever dreamed of seemed so pointless now; she had left all her friends, all her dreams behind.

Crystallised snowflakes clung to her new uniform. A cold sense of frost lingered in the corridor as she trudged into her new classroom. She saw the Christmas tree in one corner of the room, an angel sitting proudly on top. The classroom was lit with festive lights flickering from colour to colour; for the first time, she felt almost excited about her new life in England. A huddle of blonde haired girls came up to her, their fluffy scarves wrapped around them. They asked her to be friends, asked why she had moved here so late in the year.

She told them about the bombs that had hit her home town and of her family's journey to get here. They  sympathised, their blue eyes wide with shock - but she didn't want sympathy because she knew that didn't matter anymore.

She knew things here in England would work out.

To read the other winning entries, click here…

Illustration by Cathy

Cathy says:
The standard in the writing competition was, as always, very high. I wanted to share this story because it is very much of-the-moment… and so powerful and moving. Great work, Emily! Do YOU love to write? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

MY AWESOME HOLIDAY: IN CORNWALL!

Reader Katerina shares her story of a cool summer break in Cornwall… and tells us about the new friends and new skills she discovered there!

Katerina says:

This summer my dad went to a reunion of the friends he was at university with. We travelled down to Cornwall and stayed at a place called Treharrock, a giant house that used to be a hotel… one of my dad's friends owns it, I think! The house has 14 bedrooms, 3 showers, 4 bathrooms, 3 living rooms and a giant kitchen, as well as a utility room and dining room. We filled up quite a bit of it as Dad's university friends had families too - there were lots of children and teenagers to get to know! Mum and Dad had visited Treharrock in 1994 but I never had, so it was all very exciting. The adults shared to cooking and there was a party atmosphere every night. Everyone was great, and I made friends with three really nice girls (the daughters of some of Dad's uni friends). We shared a room and before long we bonded, and formed the Squid Squad! (Loooong story including inside joke!)

On the first day we all went to the beach and explored giant caves… then we sunbathed for hours! The next day we went surfing… it was my first ever time and it was so much fun! We had a lesson and it was very difficult, but worth the hard work. The first part of the lesson we spent surfing on our tummies which was easy enough… but then we had to stand up. I FINALLY managed it and it was brilliant!

That night was the last night… we did a giant treasure hunt that was so interesting and difficult, followed by a general knowledge quiz and finally we all played a mad game called Sardines! Sardines is basically one person hiding and if you find them, you have to hide with them, but all in the dark! I got to hide once and it was so much fun! Our summer was full of adventures and trips to friends and relatives, travelling all around Britain… but the two days in Cornwall were just unforgettable. I cannot believe how lucky I was to be a part of it all!

Cathy says:
Wow… I am so jealous! Treharrock sounds like a real-life Tanglewood, come to life… and the new friendships and surfing lessons sound just perfect. Have YOU had a holiday to remember this summer? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more!

COLOURING IN… NOT JUST KID'S STUFF!

Have you caught on to the new craze for adult colouring in yet? Is it 'mindfulness', 'therapy' or just plain fun? Readers share their opinions!

Jetta says:
My mum is addicted to the adult colouring in books and it has definitely helped her to de-stress. It's her birthday soon and I have got her a very cool book from Waterstones. Some of the designs are amazing! I'd give it a go, but sadly I'm more addicted to my iphone!

Violet says:
Not to sound like a hipster, but I was colouring in years before this craze. It's something that calms me down. I coloured in illustrated books (including a few CC books!) and anything else I could get my hands on. Mum found me a steampunk colouring book and this Christmas I got  colouring book entitled 'Unicorns are Jerks.' I even drew my own pictures to colour in. I have four packs of felt pens. When the craze started up. I rolled my eyes and cursed the fact that felt pens would probably shoot up in price. I don't care for the adult colouring books on sale in the shops just now - I like pictures, not patterns. I feel a sense of achievement in finishing a picture and making it look pretty, and that's just as important as the colouring in itself, which is a nice calm exercise.

Amber says:
They're great! They help your mind relax, and they're better than sitting in front of a screen, whether that's a phone, computer or TV… your eyes can be harmed by them. I use electronic devices practically all day, so I asked for a colouring book for my birthday. I picked The Enchanted Forest which looks amazing! Rather than a video game that's soon forgotten, you have a physical reward for the time spent… you could even frame it on the wall!

Maya says:
No… they're not for me. They're just more complicated versions of children's colouring books. Although it's not my thing, I think people should do what they want, and if they like these books then great. I guess it's sort of cool, because it's a relaxing thing… and who says colouring should be just for kids?

Valerie says:
Like Violet, this is not a new thing for me! I'm a school librarian and every break time there are lots of youngsters wanting to colour… a great way to relax and chill out before the dreaded bell goes again. Sometimes we set a theme - Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day etc… it's all good fun!

Liana says:
I am all for the colouring craze, because I think it will encourage people to be more creative and to do things that are 'real' things and not just on-screen. For me personally, I get more out of drawing and doodling, but that's just my preference, and once I start filling in the colour to my designs the effect is much the same! I am all in favour of anything that encourages people to explore the imaginative, creative side of their personalities; why should that be something reserved only for small children? The older you get, the more you need that creativity - our lives get very regimented the older we get. We need an escape!

Kellie says:
I have been into these books for a while. They're perfect for when you are wound up or stressed because they switch off all the anxiety. A friend saw one of my books in my bedroom in February or March this year… she made fun of me for being a 'baby'. She didn't mean to be horrible, she just genuinely didn't get it. I tried to explain but I knew she didn't understand. Just last week, I was at her house and guess what I saw on her desk… a colouring book and a set of new crayons. I had a bit of a smile, but I didn't say 'I told you so!'

Cathy says:
I love art, and though like Liana, I'd rather draw than colour, I the new pattern and artwork books are a brilliant idea… for all the reasons listed above! Are YOU hooked on the new cool colouring craze? COMMENT BELOW and share your views!

INSPIRING QUOTES… AS CHOSEN BY YOU!

Readers pick out their favourite inspirational quotes to share… is YOUR favourite here?

Robyn says:

'When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the question, and I told them they didn't understand life.'
John Lennon

Charlie says:
'When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sandpaper. They may scratch and hurt you a bit but in the end you end up polished and they end up useless.'
Andy Biersack

Fay says:
'Nothing is impossible. The word itself says "I'm possible"'
Audrey Hepburn

Morgan says:
'That's the real problem with the world; too many people grow up…'
Walt Disney

Michaela says:
'Creativity is a gift… it doesn't come through if the air is cluttered.'
John Lennon

Kym says:
'I do believe imperfection is underrated.'
Helena Bonham Carter

Hannah says:
'The people that mind don't matter and the people that matter don't mind...'
Dr Seuss

Kristina says:
'Fake it till you make it!'
Carrie Hope Fletcher

Alison says:
'We know what we are, but know not what we may be…'
William Shakespeare

Jasmine says:
'Embrace your differences and the qualities about you that you think are weird. Eventually, they're going to be the only things separating you from everyone else.'
Sebastian Stan

Vicky says:
'Even though we're all outcasts in our own way, we all do belong in this world and we all fit in.'
Gerard Way

Cathy says:
Lots of inspiration there… do YOU have a fave inspirational quote? COMMENT BELOW to share it!

THE WRITE STUFF: AGATHA CHRISTIE

Agatha Christie is one of the world's best-loved crime writers. Her books include the famous Murder on the Orient Express, and she created memorable detective characters like Poirot and Miss Marple… but what do we really know about her life?

She was born Agatha Miller, into a wealthy, upper-middle class family in Torquay, Devon in 1890. She had two older siblings, but they were often away at school and so Agatha spent much of her childhood alone - reading avidly and playing with her pets. In her autobiography, Agatha describes how having time alone helped to develop her imagination and creativity. When she was eleven, her father died, and a few years later Agatha was sent to finish her education in Paris. She began writing short stories soon afterwards, and met and married her first husband, an army officer called Archie Christie. When Word War One broke out, Agatha joined the war effort as a voluntary VAD nurse.

Agatha's first detective novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, featuring the now famous detective Hercule Poirot, was published in 1919; the same year, Agatha gave birth to her first and only child, a daughter, Rosalind. More novels followed, and for a time the family led a happy, privileged life. Tragedy struck when Archie fell in love with someone else and asked his wife for a divorce. Soon after hearing this news, Agatha went missing; her car was found parked above a chalk quarry along with an expired driving licence and some clothes. There was a public outcry and her disappearance even made the front page of the New York Times. Ten days later, after a massive nationwide manhunt, Agatha was found in a Yorkshire hotel, registered under a false name and claiming no memory of what had gone on before… it could almost have been a scene from one of her own novels. Later, when writing her autobiography, Agatha made no reference at all to her disappearance… and the mystery seems destined never to be solved.

In 1930, Agatha married again, this time to an archeologist, Max; the marriage was happy and lasted until her death in 1976. She continued to write bestselling novels, often setting stories in places she had visited with her husband Max, such as Istanbul, Luxor, Mesopotamia and Jerusalem as well as  various UK locations. During World War Two, she worked in the pharmacy at University College Hospital in London, and learned about some of the poisons she was later to include in her stories. Agatha Christie wrote 66 mystery novels and 14 collections of short stories, as well as six romances under a pen name and some non-fiction. Countless films and plays have been made of her work, and she remains one the best-loved authors the UK has ever produced.

Cathy says:
I was fascinated by Agatha Christie's autobiography when I was a teenager - I wanted to know every detail of her life, because she was a real writer! Are YOU a crime or mystery fan? Or is there a particular author you would like to see profiled on DREAMCATCHER? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...

SKYE'S HOROSCOPES FOR SEPTEMBER...

Skye Tanberry has been looking into the future again… will her predictions for your September be spot-on or totally off the mark? You decide!

VIRGO: Big changes are in store for Virgo readers this month… it's time to decide what you really want from the year ahead, and take control!

LIBRA: Something is coming to an end this month… a friendship, a hobby, a romance. If you're the one making the break, be kind but firm - better things lie ahead.

SCORPIO: You've been working your socks off lately, and reaping the rewards… but make time for fun and friendship too. Life works best when work and relaxation are balanced!

SAGITARRIUS: September heralds a time of hard work for you. Don't resent it… see it as a path to future success, and you'll be unstoppable!

CAPRICORN: You were born to dream big - and achieve those dreams - but something in your personal life is holding you back right now. Time for a re-think?

AQUARIUS: Worry has been plaguing you lately - let go of the fears and trust that things will be fine. Some money may be coming your way… spend it wisely!

PISCES: Romance is in the air… could this be the month to stop dreaming about your crush and starting smiling and chatting instead?

ARIES: There is one aspect of your personality you've been wanting to change or improve for a while; this is the time to do it. Make a plan and carry it out… happy new you!

TAURUS: Things has been a little rocky for you recently… but that's about to change. See what you can learn from all the ups and downs, and move on swiftly!

GEMINI: You're in a mischief making mood this month… be careful not to act without thinking and hurt the people who really care about you. Look before you leap!

CANCER: Ambition is driving you right now, and that's great… but make sure you keep hard work balanced with fun. Plan a timetable of what you want to achieve and things will run more smoothly!

LEO: If you've been struggling a little, fear not - friendship, social life, school work and family are looking good right now. Enjoy the positives!

Cathy says:
Will Skye's predictions come true for you? Or is it just a bit of fun? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

GEORGIA: I LIKED A GIRL...

Reader Georgia describes how her first teen crush turned everything upside-down…

Georgia says:

Growing up can be tough. It's a hard time of your life to navigate, but I had it under control - I was acing all my subjects and I actually had friends for the first time in my life. Then, suddenly, I found my adolescence-nemesis in the crush department. I had never seen why the One Direction boys were so attractive to my friends, or why I would ever want a boyfriend. Then Cait came along: borderline genius, good at cross-country, unbelievably pretty. I had never wanted to be friends with someone as much as I wanted to be friends with her.

You know the feeling - it's Friday afternoon, period six French and you're having an existential crisis. Everyone else has been conjugating verbs while you are now having a minor internal breakdown. For me, this was mainly attributed to the fact that I just realised I'd been staring at the girl next to me for forty minutes; imagining what it would be like to shuffle my chair over and bump shoulders with her, to inch my hand across the desk and hold hers, to do that head-tilty thing like they do on TV and kiss her right on the lips. Sitting dumbstruck in Year Nine French, I had just realised that I liked a girl; really liked her.

At this point in time I started feeling all the wrong things… like I was a freak, like I didn't belong, like there was something messed up about my head and heart. In our society, most girls like guys and most guys like girls, and this is what you see on TV, in films, in books. At fourteen years of age I barely knew it was possible for a girl to fancy another girl. It took me another year to tell my best friends that I wasn't straight; they were so understanding and barely bothered, because I hadn't changed as a person. At the moment I am still trying to decide which 'labels' fit me best as I have recently realised I like male humans as well as female. Shock! I am confident that one day I will settle down with a lovely boy or girl and eventually raise a family of delightful children in a society where this kind of stuff is perfectly normal and visible in everyday life.

I hope anyone reading this who does not identify as straight will know that you are not alone in your experiences; a few years ago I was just like you. My story is nowhere near done yet, but it's most certainly on track to a happy ending!

Cathy says:
I know this is a subject many of my readers are curious or worried about… thank you, Georgia, for sharing your experience with such sensitivity. Is being straight or gay a big deal to YOU? COMMENT BELOW to have your say.

BEST BACK-TO-SCHOOL STATIONERY!

Readers Amber and Saffron check out the best back-to-school stationery - take a look at their little haul before you hit the shops!

Saffron says:
Let's just say I kind of like new stationery! I start looking for new stuff the minute school has ended… I dive into every stationery shop I can find over the summer holidays. I always look for weird, quirky things rather than, say, a 28-pack of plain yellow pencils from Morrisons or whatever. This year, Waterstones was my main hunting ground, and I found some great stuff…

Amber says:
I love stationery because it fuels my creativity in the dull hum of schoolwork. Let's say I'm in maths, learning algebra and we have to write something important down… I'd much rather pull a bright, patterned notebook out of my bag than a boring, dull one. I buy more stationery over the summer holidays than at any other time of year because the shop displays inspire me and I can't help myself! I'm a hoarder of pencils and pens, but I LOVE notebooks. I have one for every occasion… to-do lists, christmas present lists and every subject in school! For cheap stationery, Tesco and Sainsburys are amazing, but my fave shop is Paperchase.

All of the stationery in this little haul is from Tesco, apart from the Tinkerbell notebook which came from Disneyland, the toadstool notebook which was a competition prize and the pink notebook which came from Sainsburys. I love the Sharpie pens especially because of the vast array of ways to use them - I plan to use them to make bookmarks, for starters! I love the Lego brick erasers too, because they are fun and a bit of a novelty!

Saffron says:
So… I found some very cool stuff! My oxygen rubber was 50p from Staples and the multi-colour ink pen was from there too, at just £1. The compass was also a Staples find, and that cost just 29p. The ruler cost 99p from Waterstones and the inside-out highlighter was £4.50 from the Disney Store. The dinosaur pen was 75p from Paperchase and the coloured pens in the spotted case were £1.50 from Waterstones. Last but not least, the box of bits and bobs - paperclips and pins and clips - was £2 from Asda. I absolutely love it, because it really helps me to get sorted and keep my cork board and everything else organised! I totally love stationery… if I used those pens to draw a heart as big as Asia, it still wouldn't sum up my enthusiasm!

Cathy says:
I share Saffron and Amber's affection for gorgeous new notebooks and pens… how cool? I love their round-up of the best stationery on offer this autumn. Do YOU love getting set up with new things at the start of the new term? COMMENT BELOW to tell us why!

MAKE IT COOL!

Two creative readers share their arty ideas for customising basic items to make a super-cool fashion statement! Ana and Ellen tell you how…

Ana says:

I had to get white canvas shoes to be in a production of GREASE this summer. It was great, because I've been wanting white shoes for ages, but my mum wouldn't let me get them - she said they'd get dirty too easily. Anyway, when GREASE was over I had the idea of drawing on them to brighten them up and personalise them! They took about two hours to do. I just used normal permanent markers - which just so happen to be on special offer in Tesco at the moment! Even the shoes weren't expensive, just £7 off ebay or amazon. Sadly the artwork is probably not waterproof, but you can't have everything!

Ellen says:
Mum asked me if I would label my PE kit for school - she suggested that I use the laundry pen to write my name on things. Somehow, I don't think this is exactly what she had in mind! The t-shirt was £7 for a pack of three… Mum likes a bargain and got them in a sale. They're all different - but this one was plain and needed a little something extra! So, Mum asked me to mark up the t-shirt… she is trying to get me to take more responsibility for things now I am eleven, but I'm not sure she'll be asking me again! I just started writing my name and then found myself doodling… I didn't plan it and I didn't think too much while I was doing it. It was a spur of the moment thing. I used to have a teacher who would tell us to 'take our pencils for a walk,' and let our imaginations control our pencil. I think that's what I was doing! When I finished I realised it looked a bit like a cover on a book I have. I love art… it means FUN to me… F for fantasy, U for unique and N for nonsense. I love playing with words…lettering is cool. I like using lines and sometimes I use symmetry too… you can do a lot with lettering! Go for it… buy a laundry marker pen and let your imagination loose. It deserves it!

Cathy says:
Wow… both Ana and Ellen have talent to spare… and a great sense of design! Awesome. Have YOU ever customised your own clothes or  made something unique to make a fashion statement? COMMENT BELOW to tell me more!