Thank you, my sources, Newsela and both authors of vital articles: Pollution Free Planet by Mariëtte Le Roux and The Great Pacific Garbage Patch by Amina Khan. And The Pinion for Ashley's art. Finally, Aunt Ashley for being my favorite aunt and making everything fun.

Your Queen,

-Alexia

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/ag8neryfarzr

The class began when the clock struck 12.

"Eyes at the front," called Mr. Mont. "Today we are learning about recycling."

Welcome, Class!!

"That's boring!" called Amber from the back, "Why don't we learn about something more important like how to pick the best boys or how to deal with an annoying sister?"

HOW TO RECYCLE!!

Mr. Mont chuckled and shook his head. He said, "That's the case, nobody cares."

HOW TO RECYCLE!!

"Instead of writing an essay, I'll tell you a story. It may inspire you to stay away from littering," Mr. Monk began.

HOW TO RECYCLE!!

"Boring," yelled Amber from her seat in the back. "Once upon a time," Mr. Monk began ignoring Amber's remark.

HOW TO RECYCLE!!

Once there was a girl named Ashley. Ashley loved nature just as much as she loved animals. Anything from Hawaii to the Amazon rainforest.

She had a dream of a world where animals could be free and nothing would be bothered at the sea and land.

There are thousands of pounds of plastic in the sea, she tried to explain this to people, but they still don't see.

Look at all of this junk!

I'm a sad turtle. Wahhhh!!

NO LITTERING FOR THE ANIMALS!!!!

Meh, they're fine

She tried to tell them, but they didn't know the truth.

Ashley decided that she would do some research. She found this article by Newsela. It was about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. She decided that was what she was going to use for her source.

Ruff!

*purrs*

Then she had to create her art.

Time to head out, she thought. Time to rescue some whales and other animals.

Bark!

Meow!

"We need to rescue these animals!" Ashley begged when she set everything up. "Please! Don't litter, and start recycling! If we start now, we will reduce the amount of carbon by over 8%!"

"Why?! Why pick up all of the litter if it isn't bothering us?" someone asked from the crowd. "If we eliminate one animal, we could eliminate all of them," explained Ashley.

"Ok, so? We don't need those pesky mosquitoes," the disagreed crowd said. "According to...." "I say we kick this girl outta town and we leave it here." "YEAH!"

Help me!

Over the years, litter began to grow and grow. People started to become sick, some even died; people moved away; and some even locked themselves in their houses.

How will I get to the store?

The mayor began to see that this was a problem. He called his transportation to deliver him somewhere. When they asked him where he was going, he said nothing.