school

Story·Bea Hertzmark, age 10 — A girl writes to her absent friend Tom during a school day, memories of a lake and a letter breaking through her attempts to focus on lessons.

Story·Anya Geist, age 14 — A girl raised in the Land of the Clouds dreams of her forgotten parents on Earth, while learning about a prophecy and the dangerous Organization to Control Time.

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.

Personal Narrative·Yanling Lin, age 10 — A school field trip continues despite torrential rain, leaving students soaked and miserable until they finally return to school after doing nothing but stand in the downpour.

Personal Narrative·Sophia Hammond, age 11 — A second-grader struggles with reading aloud during class, feeling excluded until a supportive tutor helps her overcome her challenges and gain confidence.

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.

Personal Narrative·Lara Fraenkel, age 11 — A girl traces her evolving understanding of clouds from childhood fantasies of cotton candy and fairies to learning the water cycle in school, finding wonder in scientific truth.

Personal Narrative·Violet Lou, age 10 — A kindergartener watches classmates play piano until her mother finally asks if she wants to learn, leading to the arrival of her own piano.

Personal Narrative·Gregory Scott, age 10 — A boy struggles with writer's block on a memoir assignment until his family's support helps him realize he's been living the story he needs to write.

Story·Ariana Kralicek, age 12 — A girl tries to become like her perfect classmate Stella by copying her activities, but discovers her own talents and identity along the way.