water

Story·Kara Peter, age 13 — In a drought-stricken African village where everything is brown, a girl searching for mythical blue wishing stones accidentally throws one into the muddy river, transforming it to crystal clear water.

Poetry·Keslee Peterson, age 13 — A swimmer's race unfolds from nervous anticipation through the explosive start, underwater glide, flip turn, and triumphant finish in lane seven.

Story·Catherine Chung, age 10 — After her dog is killed in a storm, a girl runs to their secret creek hideout to grieve, where her mother finds and comforts her.

Poetry·Hannah Mark, age 12 — A canoe journey down a river becomes a catalog of sensory impressions — from burbling water to wild mint to watchful eagles — preserved as memory.

Story·Siena DeBenedittis, age 13 — A girl sneaks out for a midnight swim in the pool the night before moving away, finding solace in the underwater light and the stars above.

Story·Naomi Wendland, age 12 — A daughter breaks her mother's precious clay pot while fetching water, lies about it, then confesses. Together they remake the pot from its broken pieces.

Story·Ted Nelson, age 11 — A young swimmer battles nerves at a championship race, wins unexpectedly, then faces the pressure of defending his position in the finals for a medal.