art

Personal Narrative·Ryan Behr, age 11 — A second-grader's excitement about presenting a class panorama project turns to dread when a strict teacher punishes him for moving a tiny Lego boat.

Poetry·Ismini Vasiloglou, age 11 — A stream-of-consciousness meditation on the pencil as both physical object and metaphor for writing's power to transform sadness into expression.

Story·Lindsay Cale, age 9 — A girl who sees rainbows in unconventional shapes struggles between staying true to her unique vision and conforming to others' expectations of normalcy.

Art

Poetry·Sim Ling Thee, age 13 — A spilled mug of milk becomes a meditation on how accidents and disasters might transform into art when viewed from a different perspective.

Story·Ariana Kralicek, age 12 — Swifty navigates hip-hop classes, failed auditions, a new baby brother, and friendship drama while discovering drums and cutting her hair for charity.

Story·Ariana Kralicek, age 12 — Swifty Appledoe, jealous of perfect classmate Stella, decides to become just like her by taking violin and ballet lessons, with disastrous but ultimately triumphant results.

Poetry·Amber Zhao, age 10 — A young poet describes the moment of completing a poem, exploring the paradox of creation—how words become both fragile and eternal, personal and universal.

Poetry·Amber Zhao, age 10 — A young visitor transforms an aquarium trip into a meditation on humanity's relationship with nature, moving from wonder to environmental critique and back to artistic creation.

Story·Jinhui He, age 12 — A struggling painter's work is stolen by a famous artist, leading to betrayal by her husband and society, ending in tragedy.

Story·Rose Fischer, age 12 — A girl's birthday wish for a puppy and amazing drawing skills comes true when her drawings literally come to life, creating chaos at school.