ACARA Years 3-6

Story·Andrew Shannon, age 11 — A boy recounts his great-grandfather's forced migration from Mexico and the miraculous journey of his dalmatian Pinto, who tracked him 2000 miles to California before dying of exhaustion.

Poetry·Mark Roberts, age 10 — A boy recounts the aftermath of a crash he can't remember, describing the physical trauma and how others see him differently while he remains the same inside.

Story·Lyra Mulhern, age 13 — A girl's special day with her father is interrupted when he brings home an abused horse, and she discovers her calling in helping the animal heal.

Story·Eve Asher, age 10 — A girl swimmer fights back when a new coach declares girls aren't good enough for competitive swimming, leading her teammates to crash the boys' tryouts and prove him wrong.

Story·Rebekah Carbajal, age 12 — A boy complaining about chores falls asleep and wakes in the past where he must work on a farm, learning to appreciate modern conveniences.

Story·Zhang He, age 12 — A girl falsely accuses her best friend of stealing her birthday watch, destroys their friendship, then discovers the watch under her bed months later.

Story·Andrew Lorraine, age 11 — A boy's dream summer with the Yankees is replaced by a Montana ranch visit where he discovers his grandfather's hidden baseball past and they heal old wounds together.

Story·Tran Nguyen, age 13 — During a dinner of liver and broccoli, a girl dreams she travels to Depression-era Berlin and wartime Vietnam, witnessing hungry children fighting over scraps.

Story·Katrina Sondermann, age 12 — A daughter and father bond over an Avalanche-Blues playoff game in enemy territory, their first real connection after twelve years of distance.

Poetry·Mark Roberts, age 11 — An 11-year-old holds his baby brother for the first time, contemplating the transfer of childhood wonder from one generation to the next.