Cricket Magazine Fiction and Non-Fiction Stories for Children and Young Teens

“In the Buginning” digital Kyle Reed is an illustrator based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His digital and traditional collage work has appeared in children’s book publishing, magazine publishing, and advertising. Cricket is very pleased to have Kyle illustrate our cover, “In the Buginning,” as we enter the celebration of our 50th-anniversary year. Fifty years may seem like ancient history, but Cricket and all the bugs seem as young as ever—and are still making us laugh! If you look closely on the next page, you will see children enjoying the first ever Cricket. Is it time to renew? shop.cricketmedia.com 1-800-821-0115…

Hi, Everybody! This is my first time writing to you. I love Cricket and reading a lot. I love the crossbird puzzles. There is so much snow here that we have missed one full week of school because of the snow. I am glad we do not have to make up for it later. My sister loves fish so much that we now have over sixty fish and four tanks. We also have an English cocker spaniel (who is a medical alert dog), a cream golden retriever named Penny, and a Newfoundland named Hermione. Also chickens and a cat. My favourite things to do are build forts and make crafts. Clara, age 11 Bancroft, Ontario, Canada Hi! I’ve been getting Cricket since December 2021. I love it! My favorite part is “Cricket Country.” My favorite…

ALMA FELT HER way in the darkness toward the back of the cave. The reed in her mouth felt dry and woody, and the pouch of ochre around her neck swung from side to side as she crawled. The tunnel opened into a bright room, lit by an opening in the ceiling. She was in a part of the cave that her band called their worship room. Here, Alma’s people prayed to the spirits of the earth and the sky, the waters and the wind. Alma stood, adjusted her fur leggings, then walked to the far end of the chamber, which was littered with stones. Stained, empty seashells and sharpened bones lay at her feet. There, on the wall, were Oman’s paintings: hunters with spears, bulls and deer, boars, and even a…

THE CONCERT HALL surged with excitement as two men in evening dress walked onto the stage of Paris’s Salle Pleyel. On this January evening in 1933, the audience hushed with anticipation as composer Maurice Ravel raised his baton before the orchestra. The other man, Paul Wittgenstein, sat at the grand piano, the right sleeve of his tail coat hanging empty at his side. For the first time, anywhere, Ravel would conduct his Concerto for the Left Hand, with Wittgenstein as pianist. Paul Wittgenstein had been born into an upper-class Austrian family on November 5, 1887. He grew up in a mansion full of activity and music. His great-uncle, Josef Joachim, was a famous violinist, and as a youth Wittgenstein often accompanied him on the piano. Paul studied with Teodor Leschetizky, who had…

Solution on page 47 Across1. Ensemble of musicians4. Electric or acoustic six-stringed instrument8. Short for amplifier10. Musical term that means “slowly, leisurely”12. Country singer Johnny16. Belonging to us17. Big music was popular in the 1930s19. Leader of a symphony orchestra22. Double-reed woodwind instrument24. Short for I owe you27. Rock-’n’-28. Rates of speed in a musical composition32. Short for popular music34. Vocalist 35. music is printed on unbound pieces of paper Down1. Rock band’s engagement2. Keyboard instrument used in churches3. Johann Sebastian Bach is often called pa Bach5. Opposite of do6. , you’re it!7. de Janeiro9. Do, re,11. Small hotel13. Trumpet14. Rock-band fan15. A disc jockey plays music on the17. What a ghost says18. Ringo’s instrument20. Lyric poem21. Band’s concert trek23. Honey maker 25. but goodie26. Musical sound or tone28. “My country, of thee”29. Opposite…