Stone Soup Magazine

Poetry·Lilly-June Gordon, age 12 — A young writer explores the gap between how peers see her—aloof, friendless—and how she sees herself: kind, connected, surviving through writing.

Personal Narrative·Sara Heller, age 12 — After falling during pointe hops at Russian ballet camp, a shy dancer gains strength and confidence through a roommate's patient coaching and encouragement.

Artwork·Sage Millen

Story·Leon Antonov, age 12 — After a killer whale destroys his research ship, a marine biologist and his pet cormorant survive on a deserted island until they can build a raft to escape.

Artwork·Adhi Sukhdial

Artwork·Heloise Matumoto

Poetry·Penelope Purchase, age 11 — A poem about the sudden, irresistible pull of nature that draws you outside to turn cartwheels under the moon and watch the world spin.

Poetry·Lauren Giglia, age 11 — A lake speaks through a young swimmer, revealing both its natural beauty—kingfishers, trout, pines—and the damage humans have inflicted upon it.

Story·Liam Hancock, age 11 — A teenage surfer faces the same deadly waves that killed his father at the Mavericks competition, then risks everything to save his friend from drowning.

Artwork·Caitlin Goh