authentic voice
— A young writer lists places around the world where family members live, then realizes location doesn't matter as long as family is there.
— A girl roller-skating to a reservoir meets Ally, who teaches her to catch frogs and watch for foxes while sharing a philosophy of doing whatever feels right.
— A curious girl investigates her neighborhood's 'crazy' artist who painted a giant portrait on his house, discovering the painting is made of tiny diverse people and the man is misunderstood.
— A frustrated girl takes a bareback ride on her old horse when a crimson butterfly spooks the mare, throwing the rider and revealing unexpected beauty.
— Four children at a beach each find their own source of joy: Sally plays fetch with dogs, Jordan helps his brother find a lost pet, Rita collects seashells, and Todd...
— A girl struggling with writer's block finds inspiration in memories of her late father and writes through the night, discovering she's already won by making the effort.
— A girl raised on a farm discovers she's a wolf when she finds her birth mother among a wolf pack and transforms to join them.
— A white girl in art class gradually befriends Tammy, a Black student who faces racist bullying, culminating when she witnesses an attack and offers help.
— A girl misses her best friend who moved to England three years ago, fights with her parents about visiting, then learns patience when her father suggests a family trip.
— A seven-year-old girl searches for her missing grandfather in a blizzard, guided by her dog to a cave where he lies injured, and brings him home on Christmas Eve.