Stone Soup Magazine
— When Mack Came Back by Brad Strickland; Dial Books for Young Readers: New York, 2000; $15.99 I’ve always loved dogs, but I can never have one, because of my allergies....
— A girl recalls weekly trips with her father to meet the Nordic Express freight boat, sharing quiet moments of connection through held hands and vending machine treats.
— A seven-year-old searching for snakes in his backyard encounters a timber rattlesnake that bites him when he moves too suddenly, leading to hospitalization.
— A twelve-year-old boy runs away on a snowy night, believing his departure will prevent his parents' divorce, only to be found by police and returned home to face the truth.
— A third-grader forced to sit with sixth-graders on the bus faces bullying until an older girl in a matching outfit stands up for her, turning fear into friendship.
— A lightning bug carries the speaker's low spirit through gardens and town, returning it lit up and peaceful for a summer night's sleep.
— A tiger stalks and kills an antelope, then discovers his cached prey has been disturbed by strange new creatures with vehicles, marking his first encounter with humans.
— A young basketball player faces intense pressure during a crucial free throw, battling self-doubt and physical anxiety before finding the courage to take the shot.
— A son remembers his father's devotion through baseball games, lucky charms, and math lessons, then chronicles his battle with ALS and the lasting impact of his loss.
— Destiny by Vicki Grove; G. P. Putnam’s Sons: New York, 2000; $16.99 D0 you believe in fate? Do you believe that our lives all have a certain destiny? Or do...