friendship

Story·Mathilde Fox-Smith, age 11 — A teenage graffiti artist creates stunning murals on abandoned buildings while evading police, forming an unlikely friendship with a politician's daughter who discovers his work.

Story·Connor Gorton, age 13 — A basketball-obsessed eighth grader befriends Arthur, a boy with a disability who's never played basketball, teaching him the game and advocating for him to join the team.

Story·Natalia Dunyak, age 13 — Three Galactic Soldiers rebel against orders to annihilate the planet Enyo, escaping to broker peace and end an interplanetary war that threatens both civilizations.

Story·Nate Sheehan, age 12 — A Japanese boy moves to America in 1956 and faces bullying until a friend named Conrad stands up for him, ultimately getting expelled for defending him in a fight.

Story·Emily Stevens, age 13 — A girl searches desperately for her beloved lesson horse Judah after he's retired without warning, finally finding him at a distant stable.

Story·Evelyn Chen, age 12 — Bailey competes against her rival Rhonda in a state track championship, then gives Rhonda the $1000 prize money after learning her brother needs life-saving surgery.

Story·Lily Hoelscher, age 13 — A girl having a terrible day meets a mysterious boy who shows her a hidden pond with lotus flowers growing from mud, teaching her about resilience.

Story·Rachel Barglow, age 10 — Two friends race coconuts down a sandy hill during a beach campfire, forgetting to mark which coconut belongs to whom, leading to a playful argument.

Story·Karina Emilia Palmitesta — Two friends lying under an oak tree share funny memories until one asks if the other remembers how their friendship began, triggering a flashback to third grade.

Story·Mathew Thompson, age 11 — A boy accidentally breaks a window playing baseball, chooses to tell his mother despite a friend's advice to hide it, and learns about honesty and taking responsibility.