structural sophistication
— A young immigrant mourns leaving Côte d'Ivoire, listing beloved foods, peoples, places, and memories of a father who called her 'cherie.'
— A boy recalls his friendship with Fraser through their shared obsession with Warhead candies, from second grade competitions to Fraser's move back to Australia.
— A basketball tryout becomes a battleground when a rival sabotages the narrator's chances, but stealing a page from the rival's diary reveals unexpected vulnerability.
— A young sailor steers a boat with her grandmother, finding joy in both the physical sensations of sailing and the warmth of their connection.
— 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.
— 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.
— A German Shepherd named Jack leaves his Connecticut family to serve as a scout dog in WWII Morocco, saves soldiers' lives, and returns home changed but loved.
— After three years in Texas, a girl returns to North Carolina expecting everything unchanged, but discovers both she and her childhood friends have transformed while their bond endures.
— A Japanese boy falls into a creek chasing his lost shoe and discovers from a wise turtle that he has the magical ability to breathe underwater.
— A bored five-year-old on the Titanic wanders below decks, meets a young mechanic who helps her understand her strict governess, and gains a new perspective on their relationship.