US Common Core ELA

Story·Lyla Lawless, age 13 — A twelve-year-old girl devastated by moving from Rockville to Springfield finds hope in a letter left by the previous occupant of her new room.

Story·Kevin Wang, age 11 — Two boys visit their favorite river where one confronts his pain over his parents' divorce, leading to a dramatic rescue and deepened friendship.

Story·Caroline Thomas, age 12 — A Blue Heeler named Patches patrols her Texas ranch, herding horses, chasing cars, and protecting her territory until pride lands her in the pool.

Story·Anna Hirtes, age 9 — An orphan girl named Shelly encounters a unicorn in the Magic Forest who saves her from a snake bite, then meets her identical twin Elizabeth.

Poetry·Gabriel Wainio-Theberge, age 12 — Autumn transforms from blazing red leaves and jack-o-lanterns to encroaching night, frost, and brittle mushrooms frozen like victims of Medusa's stare.

Story·Caitlin Miller, age 13 — Two best friends drift apart when one becomes popular in seventh grade, but reconnect at a summer party where apologies and a leap into the lake restore their bond.

Poetry·Cora W. Bucher, age 13 — A late-night meditation on isolation, watching an empty spotlight on gravel while longing to step into that illuminated space and receive nature's applause.

Story·Anna Elizabeth Blech, age 11 — A girl races to school in panic after oversleeping, only to discover at the locked doors that it's Saturday.

Story·William Gwaltney, age 11 — A family's Saturday night visit to a Mexican bakery becomes a sensory journey through pastries, Spanish conversations, and anticipation of Sunday's church crowds.

Poetry·Benjamin Firsick, age 11 — A boy raking leaves watches migrating birds, imagining one small bird who flies the opposite way eventually saves the flock from hawks in Costa Rica.