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Xpress, the Coolest Section of the St. Petersburg Times, is the home for features, news and views of interest to young readers. Most of the work in Xpress, which appears on Mondays in Floridian, is produced by the Times' X-Team. The team of journalists ages 9-17 from around the Tampa Bay area is selected every year at the end of the school year to serve during the following school term. The current team of 12 was chosen out of 150 applicants. Watch for X-Team application forms in Xpress during the month of May.


Read the reviews by Xpress Film Critic Billy Norris


St. Petersburg Times Online

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For Hanukkah

By KARI BECKERMAN
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 17, 2001


The eight candles have all been lit, and as Hanukkah draws to a close today at sundown, here is a joyful poem by a young reader celebrating the Festival of Lights.

* * *

'Twas the Night Before Hanukkah

'Twas the night before Hanukkah, and all through my room,
Was the smell of cooking latkes, the ones I would eat soon.

The menorahs were out, the decorations were hung,
The songbooks were open, there were prayers to be sung!

The teenagers were all sleeping, all warm in their beds,
While dreams of presents filled both their heads.

And Mom in her sweater, and Dad in his cap,
Had just stopped cooking, before I jumped on their laps.

When inside the kitchen there arose such a clatter, I heard such a noise,
"Hoorays, yippees" and lots of "oh, joys!"

The latkes were done, we could eat them forever,
I knew this would be the best Hanukkah ever!

-- By KARI BECKERMAN, 13, Joseph L. Carwise Middle School, Palm Harbor

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