atmospheric setting

Poetry·Sariel Hana Friedman, age 9 — Empty swings whisper in a park as a boy calls after Margaret, who has become a ghostly blur running away on stone paths.

Story·Bethany Walker, age 13 — Two cousins exploring a Florida ranch forest encounter wildlife and flee in panic from an alligator sunning on a canal bank, later laughing at their overreaction.

Story·Katie Sinclair, age 13 — During a storm at an inn, a traveling storyteller tells of a mysterious Fisherwoman who died saving her child, whose return will bring rain back to drought-stricken Searain.

Story·Emma Agnew, age 13 — A girl escapes to a secret garden after fighting with her mother, where memories of visiting the same garden as a child help her find forgiveness.

Story·Makayla Hentges, age 12 — A wolf-dog named Shannon saves her musher from drowning in an icy lake but sacrifices herself in the process, appearing later as a ghostly figure in the mist.

Story·Sean Fay, age 11 — A boy goes skating alone on a winter lake, ventures too far out in worsening weather, falls through thin ice, and barely makes it home alive.

Story·Rachael Goddard Rebstein, age 12 — A boy navigates a sweltering forest, sensing danger and preparing to face a bear with his spear, until his mother's voice calling about homework breaks the spell.

Story·Brian Hoover, age 12 — A boy named Jake transforms into a werewolf under a blue moon in a clearing, surrounded by fleeing animals and supernatural lightning.

Story·Mackenzie Hollister, age 12 — A girl recalls her last perfect day with her grandfather in Michigan, discovering a secret pond they called the Animal Kingdom, before he died of cancer months later.

Story·Erin Bennett, age 11 — A shy girl visits a special oak tree at night where the ghost of her friend appears to tell her a cautionary tale about finding her voice.