night

Poetry·Sabrina Guo, age 13 — During Hurricane Sandy's blackout, a family lights their first fire, boils water for foot-soaking, and finds calm while wind rages outside their dark house.

Poetry·Penelope Purchase, age 11 — A poem about the sudden, irresistible pull of nature that draws you outside to turn cartwheels under the moon and watch the world spin.

Poetry·Gianna Guerrero, age 7 — A child's poem captures Santa's journey through sound and motion — wind blowing, sleds trailing, rooftops clicking, presents clattering down chimneys.

Story·Aoife O'Connell, age 11 — A homeless orphan girl in Paris meets a mysterious old woman who turns out to be a pirate captain, and after stealing her ring, is invited to join the crew.

Poetry·Analise Braddock, age 8 — A young poet reflects on the passage of time, the uniqueness of each day, and the mysterious nature of space in simple, contemplative lines.

Story·Emma McKinny, age 13 — A girl attends her father's opening night performance in an opera about the atomic bomb, where the show's depiction of nuclear devastation awakens her anger about historical injustice.

Poetry·Poppy Lowenthal Walsh, age 12 — A night walk under stars becomes a meditation on darkness, cricket songs, and the paradox of the sky's brightest blue appearing as day fades.

Story·Carmen Flax, age 10 — A ghostly lilac figure wanders through pine forests and black rivers on an October night, crying out in sorrow before retreating into shadows.

Poetry·Ivy Cordle, age 9 — A child discovers that the scary monster outside their door is actually lonely and scared, shrinking smaller with each act of kindness until it disappears.

Story·Ziqing (Izzie) Peng, age 10 — A child describes their city's beauty through the day, then reveals how its bright lights confuse baby sea turtles, causing them to crawl away from the ocean.