ACARA Years 3-6

Poetry·Claire Yoon MacDonald, age 10 — A young poet steps outside into winter, capturing the immediate sensory impact of cold air, snow, ice, and bare trees swaying in the wind.

Poetry·Jordan Guberman, age 12 — A child and grandmother bake bread together in an old kitchen, sharing laughter, sneaking batter, and talking about life while waiting for the loaf to rise.

Poetry·Katherine Shock, age 12 — Morning light filters through as a girl and her cat share a quiet moment of connection, curling together in the gray-gold dawn.

Poetry·Andrew Eisenbrown, age 12 — A child searches the airport for their father returning from Iraq, recognizing him finally by his smile and open arms.

Story·Hannah Ogden, age 13 — During a fierce Irish storm, Emma ventures into the woods to find her lost sheep and encounters a fairy ring of dancing leprechauns who help her home in exchange for...

Poetry·Jane Trina, age 10 — A young performer transforms stage fright into confidence, tracking the physical sensations of fear giving way to the moment when words finally 'start to fly.'

Poetry·Abraham Lawrence, age 12 — A boy contrasts the metaphorical fog of human deceit with the real fog of his countryside home, finding paradise in nature's simple peace.

Story·Kara Peter, age 13 — In a drought-stricken African village where everything is brown, a girl searching for mythical blue wishing stones accidentally throws one into the muddy river, transforming it to crystal clear water.

Poetry·Alexandra Orczyk, age 11 — A girl swings on a rope swing, crashing through bushes and spinning wildly, finding joy despite scratches and the threatening branch above.

Story·Evelyn Chen, age 12 — Bailey competes against her rival Rhonda in a state track championship, then gives Rhonda the $1000 prize money after learning her brother needs life-saving surgery.