The Barrington Times has some new competition.

Three fifth-graders in Barrington recently published their sixth edition of the Hampden Meadows Muses — a newspaper that offers everything from articles to an advice column to book and movie reviews. 

Kendal Bazerman, Charlotte Tisdale and Mariela Alschuler created the newspaper last year and have been regularly printing new editions. They published three editions last year and another three this year. 

"I write the advice column, and I just started a poem section," said Kendal. "And sometimes I write articles too."

The three girls handle just about every responsibility that comes with creating a newspaper. For starters, they come up with the article and column ideas; they write the vast majority of the pieces; they occasionally commission other students to write stories or reviews; and then they distribute the hundreds of copies to teachers and students at the school. 

The girls said the office staff at Hampden Meadows School helps print the newspapers.

"We want to get all of Hampden Meadows to read it," said Kendal, who first had the idea to start the school newspaper. She had been reading the book "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements, which is about a student who starts her own newspaper.

"And I thought, 'Hey, this would be OK to start a school newspaper,'" said Kendal. "And then I enlisted the two of them."

Kendal reached out to her friends, Mariela and Charlotte, who were more than happy to help out. They started the Muses as fourth-graders, and have continued it during their fifth grade year. 

"I write book reviews and movie reviews," said Charlotte. "I like it."

"I write the short story sections and news articles," added Mariela. 

In fact, each girl has a special title for the publication — Kendal is "Muse of Advice and Information"; Charlotte is "Muse of Opinion and Thought"; and Mariela is "Muse of Stories and Creativity." The three girls are quick to add that their friend, Grace Comfort, also plays an important role with the newspaper. 

Each edition of Hampden Meadows Muses includes a vocabulary word, which offers a slightly educational tilt to the publication. There is also a well-read advice column. In a recent edition, Kendal answered questions such as "I have a bunch of friends on my bus, and I like to sit with them. Every time I do though, we get in trouble. What should I do?"

Kendal's answer — in part — suggests that "Thrown under the bus" needs to make a decision to either talk to her friends or not sit with them.

"I make up the questions, usually," said Kendal, adding that sometimes she will use a questions that surfaces in real life.

Another article in the Muses was about someone who was struck by lightning, and there was a piece about school awards also. Mariela wrote a short story titled "The Biggest Trick of All."

The girls said they are considering charging for the publication in the near future — maybe 10 cents per copy. They said they would give some of the proceeds to the Maker Space lab at the school for the Lego wall.

The girls also said they would like to see the newspaper continued at Hampden Meadows School, even after they have moved on to sixth grade at Barrington Middle School. 

"The Muses will stay here," said Mariela.

All three girls plan to write for the middle school newspaper next year.