authentic voice

Story·Marlena Kilian, age 11 — A Spanish nobleman's son discovers a fossil in the mansion's garden creek that turns out to be an ancient baby dragon's tooth, bringing him lasting fame.

Poetry·Devon Mann, age 11 — A young writer captures the physical act of writing as thoughts race faster than the hand can move, with words floating like clouds toward San Francisco.

Story·Aoife O'Connell, age 11 — A homeless orphan girl in Paris meets a mysterious old woman who turns out to be a pirate captain, and after stealing her ring, is invited to join the crew.

Story·Seoyon Kim, age 12 — A freelance journalist travels to Syria to report on the civil war, interviewing refugees in a camp and finding wisdom in an elderly woman's perspective on conflict.

Story·Phoebe Donovan, age 11 — A boy grieving his father's death begins seeing visions of a magical war led by General X, who resembles his dad, until reality and fantasy blur dangerously.

Story·Sascha Farmer, age 12 — After moving from a small Canadian coastal town to Houston, Gale struggles with homesickness, remembering her life among pine forests, gray jays, and ocean fishing.

Story·Sean O'Connor, age 3 — A turtle who sees her imagined worlds as real befriends a dog who helps turn her visions into actual houses they can share.

Poetry·Analise Braddock, age 8 — A young poet reflects on the passage of time, the uniqueness of each day, and the mysterious nature of space in simple, contemplative lines.

Story·Alexa Rivera Rockwood, age 12 — A monarch butterfly loses half her wing crossing a polluted city on her migration to Mexico, but continues on foot, determined to be the first to complete the journey.

Story·Ella Martinez Nocito, age 12 — A girl receives a cedar bracelet and a story about courage from her cousin before moving across the country, finding strength to face change.