US Common Core ELA

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.

Story·Ermeen Choudhury, age 12 — Five years after her twin sister Grace falls to her death from their treehouse, twelve-year-old Chloë returns to find Grace's spirit waiting to play pirates one last time.

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...

Story·Morgan Biagioni, age 13 — After a fight with her mother about fitness, a girl flees to her rooftop refuge and realizes that having a mother, even an imperfect one, is a gift.

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.'

Story·Emily Stevens, age 13 — A girl searches desperately for her beloved lesson horse Judah after he's retired without warning, finally finding him at a distant stable.

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.