change

Story·Chelsea Guo — A wizard who weaves people's fates with glimmering strings realizes the cruelty of his mischief when he sees a boy he cursed years later caring for a sick parent.

Story·Terry Yu — An overweight girl faces bullying at school, finds solace in her mother's love, and discovers inner strength through a mysterious birthday letter that transforms her perspective.

Story·Cadence Bertsch — A dragon with weak fire nearly freezes to death in a snowstorm until humans in a cave share their food and warmth, changing the dragon's view of humanity.

Poetry·Trevor M. Burns, age 10 — A young poet confronts political corruption through wordplay, contrasting kleptocracy with democracy while invoking patriotic imagery turned ironic.

Poetry·Analise Braddock, age 10 — A child vows to keep a secret forever, measuring that promise against apocalyptic visions of environmental destruction and the end of the world.

Personal Narrative·Olivia Choi, age 12 — A five-year-old devastated by her family's move from California to New York City gradually discovers unexpected joys in her new home, including Central Park and snow.

Story·King Hey Chan, age 14 — A student questions the effectiveness of detention after witnessing a near-theft, then successfully advocates to the principal for replacing punishment with counseling and reflection.

Poetry·Necla Asveren, age 12 — After humanity reaches for the stars and drowns in riches, survivors emerge from bunkers to find a transformed world with golden moons and purple grass.

Story·Juli Hiramatsu, age 11 — A spotless leopard breaks her promise not to eat monkeys, gains spots as punishment, and must apologize to her friend to restore both her fur and friendship.

Story·Leo Roiphe, age 12 — A boy picking berries transforms into a squirrel and encounters a starving fox, gaining new understanding of nature's harsh realities through their shared moment.