ACARA Years 3-6

Poetry·Timmy McWhirter, age 12 — A boy and his grandmother sit outside a dingy trailer, their bright smiles transforming the worn surroundings into something luminous.

Story·Rachel Weary, age 10 — A girl regrets not defending her Korean classmate Marion when a popular boy makes a racist comment, learning a painful lesson about moral courage and complicity.

Story·Jessica Ro, age 11 — A girl who resents her difficult grandfather discovers her love for him only when he's hospitalized with a heart attack and gives her a locket containing a photo of them...

Story·Maisie Zipfel — An outcast seventh-grader's wish on a shooting star leads to unexpected friendship when he's paired with the school's intimidating new girl for a biology project.

Story·Annam Nayak, age 12 — A young man who can speak to birds is banished by his father after revealing an unwelcome prophecy, but returns years later wealthy and wise, fulfilling the birds' prediction.

Story·Marlee Rosenthal, age 12 — A girl's memory of discovering chicken pot pie with her aunt transforms an ordinary Thursday dinner at Ponzio's into a sensory celebration of family tradition.

Story·Samantha Cecil, age 10 — A nerdy seventh-grader wishes on a shooting star to be popular, and when a tough new girl arrives at school, his life unexpectedly changes through their forced partnership.

Story·Caroline Lu, age 10 — A girl narrates her family's early morning departure from North Carolina to Texas, struggling to accept leaving the only home she's ever known.

Story·Casey Tolan, age 11 — A young thief steals a sacred necklace to pay for his father's doctor, but when an innocent girl faces execution for his crime, he must choose between saving her life...

Poetry·Emma Kilgore Hine, age 13 — A girl observes her cat Trixie sleeping on the dining room table, cataloging each gesture and sound with tender attention and affection.