immigration

Story·Alice Pak — A Ukrainian boy and his mother flee their war-torn town for Russia, leaving behind his best friend Varya, and later he begins writing her a letter about rebuilding their home.

Poetry·Oliver Halkett — A teen traces identity through three places — Ireland's moody skies and rocky beaches, England's hard books and rock music, and California's eternal summer — finding home in the scattered...

Poetry·Anthony Halkos — A boy traces his identity through objects and memories connecting his Greek heritage to his American present, from teddy bears to spanakopita.

Personal Narrative·Avaline Mikhasiuta — A five-year-old Russian speaker faces her first day of kindergarten without knowing English, finds connection through a Japanese classmate who shares her language barrier.

Personal Narrative·Minghan Tang — A child recalls morning reading sessions with their sister after immigrating from China, reflecting on this lost ritual as the sister prepares for college.

Poetry·Alisa Zou, age 12 — A young girl on a plane to America watches China disappear behind her, tears streaming as she realizes how far she is from home.

Personal Narrative·Michelle Wang, age 12 — A Chinese immigrant child's first day of American school transforms from terror to tentative hope when a classmate extends a gentle hand of friendship.

Poetry·Parwana Amiri, age 16 — A dialogue poem between two voices moves from invitation to fly, through a refugee's plea for help, to a declaration of collective strength and resistance.

Personal Narrative·Happiness Neema, age 11 — A refugee girl from Tanzania navigates teasing about her weekly hairstyle at her Chicago school, finding resilience through friends' support and creative problem-solving.

Poetry·Ikran Mohamed, age 11 — A young refugee uses nature metaphors to describe feeling different and new at school — a red bird among blue birds, a fish out of water.