Gabriello Lewis, a sixth-grade homeschooler from Burlington, has been writing since the age of five. He says, "I did not feel comfortable about my writing until I was published by Young Writers Project. Being published inspired me to write more! My motivation is my family and friends and what I see and hear around me.

When I close my eyes and just listen

This is what I hear in fall:

The honking of geese and their wings beating,

Building up enough speed for take-off.

The crunching and crackling of leaves,

Cascading like a waterfall of orange, yellow, red, and green from the sky. 

The wind blowing through the trees in a long, wailing moan.

And on All Hallows Eve, the sounds of happy children calling "Trick or treat!"

As ghouls and witches walk by.

And last, but most definitely not least, the most precious sound,

So precious I wish I could keep it in my ears forever --

The sound of children laughing as they carve

Their frightful pumpkins.