summer

Personal Narrative·Viviana Perez — A girl says goodbye to her great-grandmother's apartment in Michigan, cataloging memories of family gatherings, walks to the lake, and the feeling of having a family home.

Personal Narrative·Luca Molinaro — During a Romanian beach vacation, a boy's fear of massive waves transforms when he learns to surrender to the ocean's power rather than fight it.

Personal Narrative·Landen Cusick — A teenager finds peace paddleboarding on a lake, where swimming among fish and watching the sunset brings clarity about focusing on life's beauty rather than its troubles.

Personal Narrative·Lindsay Gale — A girl stuck at home during the pandemic battles jealousy as friends text about their vacations, until rain brings unexpected release from her frustration.

Personal Narrative·Melia Zhou, age 8 — A family's Fourth of July celebration with sparklers and fireworks is interrupted by sudden heavy rain, sending them running inside to warmth.

Poetry·Emma Hoff, age 9 — A girl recounts a week on a farm where cats have the wrong names, adventures lead through tick-filled grass, and moments are too perfect for words.

Personal Narrative·Ia Sofocleous, age 11 — On the last day of fourth grade, a girl says goodbye to her best friend who is moving to Israel, clinging to the promise they'll be pen pals.

Personal Narrative·Michael Chao, age 13 — A boy rescues two abandoned baby hummingbirds from a tennis court and raises them by hand, learning to feed and care for them until they're ready to return to the...

Personal Narrative·Claire Pan, age 11 — An eight-year-old navigates her first solo bus ride, ice-skating camp, and the small victories of a shy kid finding courage in new experiences.

Personal Narrative·Lila Carpenter, age 11 — A girl struggles with anger and sadness as she helps her sister move into a college apartment in Bar Harbor, finding clarity by the ocean.