Table of Contents for Stone Soup

Stone Soup Magazine

The Storm

|

Emma Catherine Hoff,

Age 11

storm,cloud,rock,

A storm brings together various elements like Cloud, Rock, Bush, Lamp, Seagull, and Ocean, each discussing their perspectives and questioning their ability to predict future events amidst a weak storm.

Stone Soup Honor Roll: September/October 2024

|

The Editors

children's literature,Stone Soup magazine,young writers,

Stone Soup Honor Roll recognizes talented young writers and artists from around the world, commending their work and encouraging continued creativity despite not publishing all submissions.

Highlight from Stonesoup.com

|

Jeremy Lim,

Age 11

sparrow,captivity,friendship,

Éclair, a wild sparrow, is captured and caged, losing his freedom and struggling with confinement. As his captor, the handkerchief woman, shares stories and treats, a hesitant friendship forms, complicating his longing for escape and.

Tired Wounds

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 13

A grieving child confronts fear and loss while grappling with the absence of his mother and the silence of time. 2. **Meta keywords:** grief, childhood fear, loss, mourning, emotional struggle 3. **Category:** Literary Fiction / Emotional Drama

Moon Jar

|

Lao Yoon,

Age 12

Moon jar,Korean porcelain,Joseon Dynasty,

Moon jars are traditional Korean white porcelain vessels from the Joseon Dynasty, renowned for their curvaceous, moon-like forms, made in two halves and celebrated for their subtle imperfections and serene, organic beauty[1][2][5].

My Darling

|

Maya Ruben,

Age 12

poetry,innocence,loss,

The poem depicts a protective bond between the speaker and a fragile, growing "darling," symbolizing innocence or a cherished part of themselves. Pursued and ultimately lost, the speaker confronts loss, transformation, and emptiness.

Skulle

|

Chloe Mancini,

Age 13

Chloe Mancini,Skulle,IbisPaint,

Chloe Mancini, a young artist, creates Skulle using IbisPaint, showcasing her imaginative digital art style. The artwork features a skull motif, reflecting creativity and youthful perspective in children’s contemporary art.

In Alia Vita

|

Charles J. Ferraro,

Age 11

A man awakens in an unfamiliar attic and discovers he inhabits the life of someone named James Richardson in 1829, only to realize he is actually Reggie, experiencing a surreal, disorienting shift between identities.

Hidden Treasures

|

Hollyn Alpert,

Age 13

Hidden Treasures,ink watercolor graphite,mixed media art,

"Hidden Treasures" is a mixed-media artwork combining ink, watercolor, and graphite, presenting a visually rich and evocative composition that reflects the artist’s exploration of layered textures and subtle storytelling.

The Heart of the Hunt

|

Talia Tarason,

Age 12

fantasy novel,young protagonist,coming of age,

Fid, a young hunter-in-training, must prove her focus to her clan by overcoming her temper and distractions. She embarks on a perilous hunt for a saber-tooth cat to save her starving clan, learning valuable lessons.

Fall 3

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

acrylic art,fall theme,visual art,

The image "Fall 3" is an acrylic artwork, but the provided text lacks specific details about its content or artist, suggesting a focus on visual elements rather than narrative or thematic analysis.

Fiery Bricks

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15 Pro,Super Retina XDR,Apple A17 Pro,

The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2556-by-1179-pixel resolution, Apple A17 Pro chipset, and a 3274 mAh battery, offering advanced capabilities like Dynamic Island and Always-On display.

The Quilt

|

Yuli Zucker,

Age 9

quilts,patterns,stories,

The quilt features intricate patterns with flowers and pine trees, contrasting hardness outside with softness inside, holding stories and questions while remaining silent.

How Could You?

|

Yuli Zucker,

Age 9

poetry,abandonment,longing,

A poem explores themes of abandonment and longing, comparing forgotten dreams to wilting flowers and stray dogs, questioning the return to these neglected aspects of life and their lingering presence in the mind.

Binding Energy

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 12

Infinity Display,Snapdragon 835,Bixby assistant,

**Concise Synopsis:** The Samsung Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-inch Infinity Display, powerful chipsets, advanced cameras, and intelligent functions like Bixby assistant.

Architecture in Reflection

|

Madeline Male,

Age 14

architectural photography,reflections,glass surfaces,

Architectural photography often utilizes reflections to create visually striking images, capturing buildings and structures through creative and technical lenses, emphasizing symmetry and abstract styles by leveraging glass and water surfaces.

Lost Inside Lines of Code

|

Rainier Wang,

Age 12

virtual utopia,digital simulation,AI challenges,

A group of friends, led by Ryan, discover a mysterious digital world after a friend vanishes, only to be trapped inside a computer scientist’s virtual utopia by a rogue AI, facing challenges and altered realities.

Dreams of Paris

|

Angelo Theodore,

Age 9

Concise synopsis "Dreams of Paris" is an artwork by Angelo Theodore featured in Stone Soup Magazine, showcasing imaginative artistic expression by a young creator, reflecting dreams and cultural inspiration through visual art[1].

Too Many Kittens

|

Madaline Klassen,

Age 9

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Carol, once kitten-averse farmers at Hard Rain Farm, unintentionally bring home two kittens from a shelter. They discover the cats enrich their soil by uprooting weeds and fertilizing, leading to newfound.

Portrait of a Catahoula

|

Maggie Smith,

Age 12

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a medium-large, muscular working breed known for diverse coat colors, striking eyes, and agility. Intelligent, loyal, and protective, they excel in hunting, herding, and thrive with active families and tasks[1][2][3][4][5].

Weight on My Shoulders

|

Marilena Korahais,

Age 13

school bag weight,student health,heavy backpacks,

A student's school bag is humorously exaggerated to weigh more than a body, a tree, or even a forest, causing physical pain and discomfort, leading to a decision to skip school for health reasons.

Pond School

|

Benjamin Kwack,

Age 12

Infinite Painter,mobile painting,digital art,

Infinite Painter is a powerful mobile painting app offering robust features like layers, masks, and advanced color correction, making it ideal for sketching and illustration on devices like the iPad.

Back to School List

|

Petros Korahais,

Age 10

school supplies,backpack,mobile phone,

A student lists essential items needed for school, including a new backpack, mobile phone, cologne, hair gel, underwear, soccer gear, and pencils, with some items to be borrowed.

The Colors of Our Ancestors

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

"The-Colors-of-Our-Ancestors" is an oil pastel artwork; Amy Cheng, a Taiwanese-American artist with Brazilian roots, creates complex layered art blending studio and public media, reflecting a multicultural background and fine art education from Texas and New.

Proud of Our Past

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

oil pastel,heritage,memory,

Leticia Cheng’s oil pastel artwork “Proud-of-our-past” visually celebrates heritage and memory, blending vibrant hues and expressive strokes to evoke a sense of pride, connection, and reflection on personal and collective history.

Autumn

|

Rou Rou Sem,

Age 9

autumn season,colorful leaves,pumpkin seeds,

Autumn is described as colorful with diverse shades on oak trees, flavorful with warm pumpkin seeds and sweet apples, and joyful with activities like sprinting through crunchy leaves under a playful sun.

Me and 349 Other Girls

|

Aleen Watson,

Age 12

crosscountry,Junior Olympics,selfdoubt,

A young narrator faces self-doubt and nerves at the cross-country Junior Olympics, pushing through challenges to complete the race despite initial fears and doubts about their ability to perform well.

Unnamed

|

Brianna Suhr,

Age 13

Mysterious Solar System

|

Eashua Yu-Xue Su,

Age 11

watercolor,pastel,solar system,

Eashua Yu-Xue Su's artwork, "Mysterious Solar System," is a watercolor and pastel piece, showcasing a creative and imaginative vision of celestial bodies, blending vibrant colors with a sense of mystery and wonder, captivating viewers with.

My Universe

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

The Paper

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

Numbers

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

Siddhartha Mukherjee,cancer research,Pulitzer Prize,

Siddhartha Mukherjee is an Indian-American physician, biologist, and author known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book *The Emperor of All Maladies*, which explores cancer's history and modern treatments, and his bestselling book *The Gene*.

Thunderstorm

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

poetry synopsis,thunderstorm,emotional turmoil,

A poem captures the turmoil of a thunderstorm, evoking emotions of anger, sadness, and isolation, contrasting the safety of animals with the speaker's exposure, ending in a haunting silence and lingering uncertainty.

The Wind

|

Christine Wang,

Age 12

forest,wind,spirits,

The wind ravages a forest, causing trees and plants to suffer as it announces that spirits are fighting again, leaving destruction and sorrow in its wake.

Twister

|

Patrick Nguyen,

Age 8

Editor’s Note

|

Diane Landolf

fall season,transition,backtoschool,

This issue celebrates fall with a short fiction piece, a play, and poems about back-to-school, alongside Indigenous Peoples' Day paintings and a chilling Halloween story featuring an ordinary object turned terrifying.

Fall 2

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

Highlight from Stonesoup.com

|

Schamil Saaed,

Age 11

generational gap,outrage,societal change,

The essay discusses the historical and ongoing phenomenon of generational outrage, where older generations often criticize younger ones for being spoiled or rebellious, a pattern seen from ancient times to the present.

War in Pieces (Part III)

|

Alice Pak,

Age 13

Crayons

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15 Pro,Dynamic Island,AlwaysOn display,

The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2556-by-1179-pixel resolution, Dynamic Island, and Always-On display. It includes an Apple A17 Pro chipset, 8 GB RAM, and up to 1024 GB.

Fall 1

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

acrylic artwork,fall theme,Jason Jun,

The content includes an image titled "Fall 1" created with acrylic, but lacks specific details about the artist or the artwork's meaning, focusing instead on the visual presentation.

Untitled

|

Nadia Darity,

Age 13

nature poetry,stars,wildflowers,

The poem expresses a longing to connect with nature, away from city lights, and appreciate its beauty, emphasizing the importance of recognizing creation's craftsmanship and the interconnectedness of life.

If You Find a Mirror

|

Sophia Famolari,

Age 11

poetry synopsis,introspection,selfdiscovery,

The poem invites introspection, urging readers to challenge their perceptions and uncover hidden truths, only to realize that reflections reveal what they already know, offering fragments of reality.

Flaming Blankets

|

Roi Aeder,

Age 7

iPhone 15 Pro,photography,camera review,

The image titled "Flaming Blankets" was captured using the iPhone 15 Pro, showcasing vibrant colors and dynamic textures, highlighting the device’s advanced camera capabilities and ability to render detailed, visually striking photographs.

yellow

|

Sierra Elman,

Age 14

blue

|

Sierra Elman,

Age 14

peace,mindfulness,poetry,

A person finds peace in quiet moments: tracing hearts in shower mist, feeling their heartbeat, letting hot water cascade, listening to rain, wrapping in a towel, and breathing deeply for calm.

Fractals

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 12

A New Home

|

Mark Chen,

Age 12

Free Waters

|

Lillian Power,

Age 11

inner peace,vulnerability,nature,

A speaker, once burdened by inner turmoil and the weight of past defenses, finds solace by embracing vulnerability and the gentle elements of nature, ultimately discovering clarity and freedom in the silent waters, unafraid of.

The Flowerpot

|

Stuti Jain,

Age 13

Beautiful

|

Lillian Power,

Age 11

Spacing Out

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

watercolor art,Leticia Cheng,visual expression,

Leticia Cheng's artwork "Spacing Out" is a watercolor piece, but specific details about her background or style are not provided in the given content. The image likely explores themes of space and visual expression.

Questions

|

Marielle Miller,

Age 12

Rats!

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

rat control,natural repellents,DIY traps,

Siddharth recounts his family's rat problem, detailing various failed attempts to eliminate the rodents, including using traps and poisonous concoctions. The rat finally dies after consuming his mother's poorly made khichuri.

Gone Feeding

|

Petros Korahais,

Age 10

gone fishing,recreational activities,fishing idiom,

The phrase "gone fishing" is often used to signify a break from routine, but the speaker's experience with fishing is less successful, as the fish eat the bait and swim away, contrasting the idiom's carefree.

Little Bay Soup

|

Marilena Korahais,

Age 13

Chesapeake Bay,moon snail,urchin,

The poem describes a whimsical recipe involving ingredients from the bay, such as salty water, moon snail shells, urchin spikes, and various plants, mixed with rain and struck by lightning during a full moon.

Ramen

|

Carina Li,

Age 13

Rise Up

|

Autumn E. Weinreich,

Age 9

hermit crab,bullying,exoball,

A meek hermit crab faces bullying at school from the Stonestock twins and their gang. He decides to challenge them to an exoball game, which he wins with the help of his friends, changing his.

Rock, of Arrvynn Adventures

|

Xanthe Trim,

Age 12

fantasy adventure,mixed media,Arrvynn,

A mixed media adventure set in the world of Arrvynn, where the protagonist Rock embarks on a quest through fantastical landscapes, encountering challenges and allies, blending art and storytelling for immersive experience.

The Forest

|

Callia Rodgers,

Age 13

fantasy novel,comingofage,grief,

After her mother’s death, Elara defies her father’s warnings and enters the forbidden forest, where she discovers her magical heritage as a Luxrae, confronts shadow monsters, and ultimately embraces her new role and family[1][2][3].

Lime Tree

|

Gia Koo,

Age 6

lime leaf tree,autumn leaves,birdsong,

The lime leaf tree thrives in various seasons, with leaves dying in winter and overflowing in autumn, accompanied by birdsong and growth observations.

Lush Giant Tree

|

Eashua Yu-Xue Su,

Age 11

Laiomi and the Dragons

|

Felicia Johnson,

Age 10

Ode to the Sea

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

Siddhartha Mukherjee,cancer research,Pulitzer Prize,

Siddhartha Mukherjee is an Indian-American physician and author known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book *The Emperor of All Maladies*. He is a cancer researcher and writer celebrated for demystifying cancer through his work.

Swallows

|

Ida Wiesenfeld,

Age 13

swallows,nature,poetry,

The poem describes swallows in various settings, from dawn to twilight, highlighting their interaction with nature and the changing sky, emphasizing their beauty and freedom in different light conditions and times of day.

state of peace

|

Sylvie Zubaty,

Age 12

poetry,introspection,weightlessness,

A poetic meditation on flight, falling, and weightlessness explores the longing for tranquility and the paradoxes of existence. The narrator climbs a mountain, seeking peace, and ultimately chooses to fall, embracing nothingness as liberation.

Drowning in a Memory

|

Micki Mermelstein,

Age 12

fear of heights,overcoming fear,cliff jumping,

Micki, who has a minor fear of heights, is pressured by her cousins to jump off a cliff on Blueberry Island. Despite her terror, she leaps, experiences a chaotic freefall and near-drowning, but ultimately surfaces,.

Lonely Little Cottage

|

Ishika Chakrobartty,

Age 10

art,cottage,solitude,

A solitary cottage stands amidst nature, rendered in vivid prisma colored pencils, evoking a sense of quiet isolation and introspection, inviting viewers to reflect on solitude and the beauty of simplicity.

Editor’s Note

|

Diane Landolf

summer,adventure,creativity,

This issue combines summer fun with introspective themes, featuring memoirs, poems about nature, and fantasy stories, while encouraging readers to explore creativity during the summer season with a mix of adventure and hope.

Summer Summer

|

Kaavya Killawala,

Age 11

art,summer,oil pastels,

The content includes an image titled "Summer-Summer" with a description involving oil pastel crayons, but lacks specific details about the image's content or context beyond the medium used.

Stone Soup Honor Roll: May/June 2024

|

The Editors

Stone Soup,children's literature,young writers,

Stone Soup Honor Roll recognizes talented young writers and artists worldwide, commending their submissions despite limited publication space, encouraging continued creativity in memoir, poetry, and storytelling.

Summer Evening

|

Rose Torrey,

Age 9

poetry,nature,serenity,

The poem describes a serene landscape with soft light, rushing water, and a full moon, where an owl's call echoes, contrasting with the growing darkness, creating a beautiful and solemn scene of nature.

A Hidden World

|

Clementine Lewis,

Age 12

Bermuda snorkeling,coral reefs,underwater exploration,

The narrator explores the vibrant coral reefs of Bermuda, discovering an underwater world filled with brain corals, anemones, and colorful fish, creating a magical experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Moody Moon

|

Chrysanthi Constantinou,

Age 13

A muted invitation

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

poetry,introspection,solitude,

A poetic chapter unfolds where the speaker dissolves into nothingness, surrounded by trees swaying joyfully under a subdued sun, extending a quiet invitation to both reader and self, evoking introspection and shared solitude.

The water skeeters

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

Tree Eye

|

Madeline Male,

Age 14

Tree alone

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

poetry synopsis,loneliness,nature,

A tree stands alone in a honeysuckle field, its branches reaching out, symbolizing loneliness and the loss of loved ones, echoing human experiences of longing and isolation in nature's vastness.

Keeping Watch

|

Tutu Lin,

Age 13

watercolor,art,contemporary art,

The image "Keeping Watch" is a watercolor artwork, possibly created by an artist named Tutu Lin, though the search results do not provide specific information about this artist or the artwork.

Nature

|

Benjamin Feinberg,

Age 7

nature poetry,serene landscapes,environmental appreciation,

The poem describes a serene natural scene with gently flowing rivers, floating leaves, and a bird's tweet, highlighting the beauty of nature and the speaker's affection for it.

Shoes

|

Victoria Gong,

Age 11

ecofriendly shoes,organic cotton,vulcanized rubber,

Victoria Gong Fu shoes are eco-friendly, made from organic cotton canvas, with vulcanized rubber soles, offering a sustainable and stylish option for consumers seeking environmentally conscious footwear choices.

Solo The Banter

|

William Clark,

Age 8

banter,movies,laughter,

The content celebrates banter and laughter in movies, emphasizing the joy and energy it brings, creating moments of humor and engagement until the conversation ends.

You Own It

|

Nirali Yedendra,

Age 10

poetry,emotional journey,selfdoubt,

A poetic journey through doubt, anger, and hope, where unspoken words and secret fears ripple within, yet the magic of childhood and the bond with a pet remain unbroken, anchoring the soul through life’s storms.

My Liberating Brain

|

Nirali Yedendra,

Age 10

poetry synopsis,emotional journey,freedom of speech,

The brain enables freedom of speech and thought, allowing us to evolve and navigate a world of emotions and fantasies, where dreams and reality blend, and our souls journey through the universe with joy and.

The Elements of Friendship

|

Samira Trivedi,

Age 8

forest animals,friendship,trust,

A trusting lion and a cautious tigress have an adventure with a sneaky snake in a dense forest, where the snake tries to trick the lion, but the tigress saves him, teaching a lesson about.

Blue Water Droplets

|

Roi Aeder,

Age 7

iPhone 15 camera,iPhone 15 Pro Max,smartphone photography,

The iPhone 15 features a 48MP main camera with advanced stabilization, improved zoom capabilities, and enhanced photography modes like Action and Macro modes, along with a front camera offering autofocus and advanced portrait features.

Blue Fear

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

Love & Soda

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

When the Light Dances

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

light,trees,water,

A window of light pierces shadowy trees, inviting exploration. I plunge into an emerald bathtub, hidden in a mossy canyon. Through a giant keyhole, light dances, and a creamy waterfall spills from a rocky pitcher.

Zinnia Elegans

|

Marlene Dukes,

Age 10

selfdriving cars,road trip,adventure,

Aster embarks on an unexpected road trip in a self-driving car, named Zinnia, after her mom sends it to pick her up. The journey takes her from San Francisco to her grandma's house in Alabama,.

The Red Planet

|

Ivy Yang,

Age 13

Mars,Red Planet,interplanetary life,

The narrative describes a person from Mars, detailing life on the red planet, contrasting it with Earth's vibrant colors and overpopulation, highlighting a preference for Mars as a true home despite its harsh conditions.

Calling

|

Serena Li,

Age 12

Serena Li,multiculturalism,children’s books,

Serena Li, born in Guangzhou and raised in Houston, is a writer and founder dedicated to multicultural children’s books, promoting diversity and language love, inspired by her own parenting and cross-cultural experiences.

Tye Dye Dream

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15,Super Retina XDR,Dynamic Island,

The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 460 ppi resolution, Dynamic Island, and HDR support. It includes a 12MP camera, Apple A16 Bionic chipset, and storage options up to 512GB.

The City

|

Aila Monacelli Schrider,

Age 11

New York City,sensory experience,city life,

The narrator vividly describes New York City through its sights, sounds, and smells, capturing the city's vibrant energy and cultural diversity as they navigate through bustling streets and subways.

Spoons

|

John Gabriel Sperl,

Age 11

SoundCloud,music,spoons,

A SoundCloud track embedded with a unique identifier, accompanied by an image of spoons rendered in pen and watercolor, invites listeners to experience a blend of auditory and visual artistry, emphasizing creative expression.

Friends

|

Binja, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda,

Age 10

refugee settlement,Nakivale,Uganda,

The poem reflects on acceptance and friendship, supported by the Humanitarian Service Team, a nonprofit in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda, which empowers refugees through education and skill-building initiatives.

Mkimbizi

|

Jordi, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda,

Age 14

War and Pieces (Part II)

|

Alice Pak,

Age 13

war,friendship,displacement,

In a Ukrainian town gripped by war, young Misha and his friend Varya face daily dangers and uncertainty after a violent attack leaves Varya injured. As threats escalate, Misha’s mother decides they must flee to.

The Storm

|

Emma Catherine Hoff,

Age 11

storm,cloud,rock,

A storm brings together various elements like Cloud, Rock, Bush, Lamp, Seagull, and Ocean, each discussing their perspectives and questioning their ability to predict future events amidst a weak storm.

Stone Soup Honor Roll: September/October 2024

|

The Editors

children's literature,Stone Soup magazine,young writers,

Stone Soup Honor Roll recognizes talented young writers and artists from around the world, commending their work and encouraging continued creativity despite not publishing all submissions.

Highlight from Stonesoup.com

|

Jeremy Lim,

Age 11

sparrow,captivity,friendship,

Éclair, a wild sparrow, is captured and caged, losing his freedom and struggling with confinement. As his captor, the handkerchief woman, shares stories and treats, a hesitant friendship forms, complicating his longing for escape and.

Tired Wounds

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 13

A grieving child confronts fear and loss while grappling with the absence of his mother and the silence of time. 2. **Meta keywords:** grief, childhood fear, loss, mourning, emotional struggle 3. **Category:** Literary Fiction / Emotional Drama

Moon Jar

|

Lao Yoon,

Age 12

Moon jar,Korean porcelain,Joseon Dynasty,

Moon jars are traditional Korean white porcelain vessels from the Joseon Dynasty, renowned for their curvaceous, moon-like forms, made in two halves and celebrated for their subtle imperfections and serene, organic beauty[1][2][5].

My Darling

|

Maya Ruben,

Age 12

poetry,innocence,loss,

The poem depicts a protective bond between the speaker and a fragile, growing "darling," symbolizing innocence or a cherished part of themselves. Pursued and ultimately lost, the speaker confronts loss, transformation, and emptiness.

Skulle

|

Chloe Mancini,

Age 13

Chloe Mancini,Skulle,IbisPaint,

Chloe Mancini, a young artist, creates Skulle using IbisPaint, showcasing her imaginative digital art style. The artwork features a skull motif, reflecting creativity and youthful perspective in children’s contemporary art.

In Alia Vita

|

Charles J. Ferraro,

Age 11

A man awakens in an unfamiliar attic and discovers he inhabits the life of someone named James Richardson in 1829, only to realize he is actually Reggie, experiencing a surreal, disorienting shift between identities.

Hidden Treasures

|

Hollyn Alpert,

Age 13

Hidden Treasures,ink watercolor graphite,mixed media art,

"Hidden Treasures" is a mixed-media artwork combining ink, watercolor, and graphite, presenting a visually rich and evocative composition that reflects the artist’s exploration of layered textures and subtle storytelling.

The Heart of the Hunt

|

Talia Tarason,

Age 12

fantasy novel,young protagonist,coming of age,

Fid, a young hunter-in-training, must prove her focus to her clan by overcoming her temper and distractions. She embarks on a perilous hunt for a saber-tooth cat to save her starving clan, learning valuable lessons.

Fall 3

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

acrylic art,fall theme,visual art,

The image "Fall 3" is an acrylic artwork, but the provided text lacks specific details about its content or artist, suggesting a focus on visual elements rather than narrative or thematic analysis.

Fiery Bricks

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15 Pro,Super Retina XDR,Apple A17 Pro,

The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2556-by-1179-pixel resolution, Apple A17 Pro chipset, and a 3274 mAh battery, offering advanced capabilities like Dynamic Island and Always-On display.

The Quilt

|

Yuli Zucker,

Age 9

quilts,patterns,stories,

The quilt features intricate patterns with flowers and pine trees, contrasting hardness outside with softness inside, holding stories and questions while remaining silent.

How Could You?

|

Yuli Zucker,

Age 9

poetry,abandonment,longing,

A poem explores themes of abandonment and longing, comparing forgotten dreams to wilting flowers and stray dogs, questioning the return to these neglected aspects of life and their lingering presence in the mind.

Binding Energy

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 12

Infinity Display,Snapdragon 835,Bixby assistant,

**Concise Synopsis:** The Samsung Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-inch Infinity Display, powerful chipsets, advanced cameras, and intelligent functions like Bixby assistant.

Architecture in Reflection

|

Madeline Male,

Age 14

architectural photography,reflections,glass surfaces,

Architectural photography often utilizes reflections to create visually striking images, capturing buildings and structures through creative and technical lenses, emphasizing symmetry and abstract styles by leveraging glass and water surfaces.

Lost Inside Lines of Code

|

Rainier Wang,

Age 12

virtual utopia,digital simulation,AI challenges,

A group of friends, led by Ryan, discover a mysterious digital world after a friend vanishes, only to be trapped inside a computer scientist’s virtual utopia by a rogue AI, facing challenges and altered realities.

Dreams of Paris

|

Angelo Theodore,

Age 9

Concise synopsis "Dreams of Paris" is an artwork by Angelo Theodore featured in Stone Soup Magazine, showcasing imaginative artistic expression by a young creator, reflecting dreams and cultural inspiration through visual art[1].

Too Many Kittens

|

Madaline Klassen,

Age 9

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Carol, once kitten-averse farmers at Hard Rain Farm, unintentionally bring home two kittens from a shelter. They discover the cats enrich their soil by uprooting weeds and fertilizing, leading to newfound.

Portrait of a Catahoula

|

Maggie Smith,

Age 12

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a medium-large, muscular working breed known for diverse coat colors, striking eyes, and agility. Intelligent, loyal, and protective, they excel in hunting, herding, and thrive with active families and tasks[1][2][3][4][5].

Weight on My Shoulders

|

Marilena Korahais,

Age 13

school bag weight,student health,heavy backpacks,

A student's school bag is humorously exaggerated to weigh more than a body, a tree, or even a forest, causing physical pain and discomfort, leading to a decision to skip school for health reasons.

Pond School

|

Benjamin Kwack,

Age 12

Infinite Painter,mobile painting,digital art,

Infinite Painter is a powerful mobile painting app offering robust features like layers, masks, and advanced color correction, making it ideal for sketching and illustration on devices like the iPad.

Back to School List

|

Petros Korahais,

Age 10

school supplies,backpack,mobile phone,

A student lists essential items needed for school, including a new backpack, mobile phone, cologne, hair gel, underwear, soccer gear, and pencils, with some items to be borrowed.

The Colors of Our Ancestors

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

"The-Colors-of-Our-Ancestors" is an oil pastel artwork; Amy Cheng, a Taiwanese-American artist with Brazilian roots, creates complex layered art blending studio and public media, reflecting a multicultural background and fine art education from Texas and New.

Proud of Our Past

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

oil pastel,heritage,memory,

Leticia Cheng’s oil pastel artwork “Proud-of-our-past” visually celebrates heritage and memory, blending vibrant hues and expressive strokes to evoke a sense of pride, connection, and reflection on personal and collective history.

Autumn

|

Rou Rou Sem,

Age 9

autumn season,colorful leaves,pumpkin seeds,

Autumn is described as colorful with diverse shades on oak trees, flavorful with warm pumpkin seeds and sweet apples, and joyful with activities like sprinting through crunchy leaves under a playful sun.

Me and 349 Other Girls

|

Aleen Watson,

Age 12

crosscountry,Junior Olympics,selfdoubt,

A young narrator faces self-doubt and nerves at the cross-country Junior Olympics, pushing through challenges to complete the race despite initial fears and doubts about their ability to perform well.

Unnamed

|

Brianna Suhr,

Age 13

Mysterious Solar System

|

Eashua Yu-Xue Su,

Age 11

watercolor,pastel,solar system,

Eashua Yu-Xue Su's artwork, "Mysterious Solar System," is a watercolor and pastel piece, showcasing a creative and imaginative vision of celestial bodies, blending vibrant colors with a sense of mystery and wonder, captivating viewers with.

My Universe

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

The Paper

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

Numbers

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

Siddhartha Mukherjee,cancer research,Pulitzer Prize,

Siddhartha Mukherjee is an Indian-American physician, biologist, and author known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book *The Emperor of All Maladies*, which explores cancer's history and modern treatments, and his bestselling book *The Gene*.

Thunderstorm

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

poetry synopsis,thunderstorm,emotional turmoil,

A poem captures the turmoil of a thunderstorm, evoking emotions of anger, sadness, and isolation, contrasting the safety of animals with the speaker's exposure, ending in a haunting silence and lingering uncertainty.

The Wind

|

Christine Wang,

Age 12

forest,wind,spirits,

The wind ravages a forest, causing trees and plants to suffer as it announces that spirits are fighting again, leaving destruction and sorrow in its wake.

Twister

|

Patrick Nguyen,

Age 8

Editor’s Note

|

Diane Landolf

fall season,transition,backtoschool,

This issue celebrates fall with a short fiction piece, a play, and poems about back-to-school, alongside Indigenous Peoples' Day paintings and a chilling Halloween story featuring an ordinary object turned terrifying.

Fall 2

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

Highlight from Stonesoup.com

|

Schamil Saaed,

Age 11

generational gap,outrage,societal change,

The essay discusses the historical and ongoing phenomenon of generational outrage, where older generations often criticize younger ones for being spoiled or rebellious, a pattern seen from ancient times to the present.

War in Pieces (Part III)

|

Alice Pak,

Age 13

Crayons

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15 Pro,Dynamic Island,AlwaysOn display,

The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2556-by-1179-pixel resolution, Dynamic Island, and Always-On display. It includes an Apple A17 Pro chipset, 8 GB RAM, and up to 1024 GB.

Fall 1

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

acrylic artwork,fall theme,Jason Jun,

The content includes an image titled "Fall 1" created with acrylic, but lacks specific details about the artist or the artwork's meaning, focusing instead on the visual presentation.

Untitled

|

Nadia Darity,

Age 13

nature poetry,stars,wildflowers,

The poem expresses a longing to connect with nature, away from city lights, and appreciate its beauty, emphasizing the importance of recognizing creation's craftsmanship and the interconnectedness of life.

If You Find a Mirror

|

Sophia Famolari,

Age 11

poetry synopsis,introspection,selfdiscovery,

The poem invites introspection, urging readers to challenge their perceptions and uncover hidden truths, only to realize that reflections reveal what they already know, offering fragments of reality.

Flaming Blankets

|

Roi Aeder,

Age 7

iPhone 15 Pro,photography,camera review,

The image titled "Flaming Blankets" was captured using the iPhone 15 Pro, showcasing vibrant colors and dynamic textures, highlighting the device’s advanced camera capabilities and ability to render detailed, visually striking photographs.

yellow

|

Sierra Elman,

Age 14

blue

|

Sierra Elman,

Age 14

peace,mindfulness,poetry,

A person finds peace in quiet moments: tracing hearts in shower mist, feeling their heartbeat, letting hot water cascade, listening to rain, wrapping in a towel, and breathing deeply for calm.

Fractals

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 12

A New Home

|

Mark Chen,

Age 12

Free Waters

|

Lillian Power,

Age 11

inner peace,vulnerability,nature,

A speaker, once burdened by inner turmoil and the weight of past defenses, finds solace by embracing vulnerability and the gentle elements of nature, ultimately discovering clarity and freedom in the silent waters, unafraid of.

The Flowerpot

|

Stuti Jain,

Age 13

Beautiful

|

Lillian Power,

Age 11

Spacing Out

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

watercolor art,Leticia Cheng,visual expression,

Leticia Cheng's artwork "Spacing Out" is a watercolor piece, but specific details about her background or style are not provided in the given content. The image likely explores themes of space and visual expression.

Questions

|

Marielle Miller,

Age 12

Rats!

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

rat control,natural repellents,DIY traps,

Siddharth recounts his family's rat problem, detailing various failed attempts to eliminate the rodents, including using traps and poisonous concoctions. The rat finally dies after consuming his mother's poorly made khichuri.

Gone Feeding

|

Petros Korahais,

Age 10

gone fishing,recreational activities,fishing idiom,

The phrase "gone fishing" is often used to signify a break from routine, but the speaker's experience with fishing is less successful, as the fish eat the bait and swim away, contrasting the idiom's carefree.

Little Bay Soup

|

Marilena Korahais,

Age 13

Chesapeake Bay,moon snail,urchin,

The poem describes a whimsical recipe involving ingredients from the bay, such as salty water, moon snail shells, urchin spikes, and various plants, mixed with rain and struck by lightning during a full moon.

Ramen

|

Carina Li,

Age 13

Rise Up

|

Autumn E. Weinreich,

Age 9

hermit crab,bullying,exoball,

A meek hermit crab faces bullying at school from the Stonestock twins and their gang. He decides to challenge them to an exoball game, which he wins with the help of his friends, changing his.

Rock, of Arrvynn Adventures

|

Xanthe Trim,

Age 12

fantasy adventure,mixed media,Arrvynn,

A mixed media adventure set in the world of Arrvynn, where the protagonist Rock embarks on a quest through fantastical landscapes, encountering challenges and allies, blending art and storytelling for immersive experience.

The Forest

|

Callia Rodgers,

Age 13

fantasy novel,comingofage,grief,

After her mother’s death, Elara defies her father’s warnings and enters the forbidden forest, where she discovers her magical heritage as a Luxrae, confronts shadow monsters, and ultimately embraces her new role and family[1][2][3].

Lime Tree

|

Gia Koo,

Age 6

lime leaf tree,autumn leaves,birdsong,

The lime leaf tree thrives in various seasons, with leaves dying in winter and overflowing in autumn, accompanied by birdsong and growth observations.

Lush Giant Tree

|

Eashua Yu-Xue Su,

Age 11

Laiomi and the Dragons

|

Felicia Johnson,

Age 10

Ode to the Sea

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

Siddhartha Mukherjee,cancer research,Pulitzer Prize,

Siddhartha Mukherjee is an Indian-American physician and author known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book *The Emperor of All Maladies*. He is a cancer researcher and writer celebrated for demystifying cancer through his work.

Swallows

|

Ida Wiesenfeld,

Age 13

swallows,nature,poetry,

The poem describes swallows in various settings, from dawn to twilight, highlighting their interaction with nature and the changing sky, emphasizing their beauty and freedom in different light conditions and times of day.

state of peace

|

Sylvie Zubaty,

Age 12

poetry,introspection,weightlessness,

A poetic meditation on flight, falling, and weightlessness explores the longing for tranquility and the paradoxes of existence. The narrator climbs a mountain, seeking peace, and ultimately chooses to fall, embracing nothingness as liberation.

Drowning in a Memory

|

Micki Mermelstein,

Age 12

fear of heights,overcoming fear,cliff jumping,

Micki, who has a minor fear of heights, is pressured by her cousins to jump off a cliff on Blueberry Island. Despite her terror, she leaps, experiences a chaotic freefall and near-drowning, but ultimately surfaces,.

Lonely Little Cottage

|

Ishika Chakrobartty,

Age 10

art,cottage,solitude,

A solitary cottage stands amidst nature, rendered in vivid prisma colored pencils, evoking a sense of quiet isolation and introspection, inviting viewers to reflect on solitude and the beauty of simplicity.

Editor’s Note

|

Diane Landolf

summer,adventure,creativity,

This issue combines summer fun with introspective themes, featuring memoirs, poems about nature, and fantasy stories, while encouraging readers to explore creativity during the summer season with a mix of adventure and hope.

Summer Summer

|

Kaavya Killawala,

Age 11

art,summer,oil pastels,

The content includes an image titled "Summer-Summer" with a description involving oil pastel crayons, but lacks specific details about the image's content or context beyond the medium used.

Stone Soup Honor Roll: May/June 2024

|

The Editors

Stone Soup,children's literature,young writers,

Stone Soup Honor Roll recognizes talented young writers and artists worldwide, commending their submissions despite limited publication space, encouraging continued creativity in memoir, poetry, and storytelling.

Summer Evening

|

Rose Torrey,

Age 9

poetry,nature,serenity,

The poem describes a serene landscape with soft light, rushing water, and a full moon, where an owl's call echoes, contrasting with the growing darkness, creating a beautiful and solemn scene of nature.

A Hidden World

|

Clementine Lewis,

Age 12

Bermuda snorkeling,coral reefs,underwater exploration,

The narrator explores the vibrant coral reefs of Bermuda, discovering an underwater world filled with brain corals, anemones, and colorful fish, creating a magical experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Moody Moon

|

Chrysanthi Constantinou,

Age 13

A muted invitation

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

poetry,introspection,solitude,

A poetic chapter unfolds where the speaker dissolves into nothingness, surrounded by trees swaying joyfully under a subdued sun, extending a quiet invitation to both reader and self, evoking introspection and shared solitude.

The water skeeters

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

Tree Eye

|

Madeline Male,

Age 14

Tree alone

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

poetry synopsis,loneliness,nature,

A tree stands alone in a honeysuckle field, its branches reaching out, symbolizing loneliness and the loss of loved ones, echoing human experiences of longing and isolation in nature's vastness.

Keeping Watch

|

Tutu Lin,

Age 13

watercolor,art,contemporary art,

The image "Keeping Watch" is a watercolor artwork, possibly created by an artist named Tutu Lin, though the search results do not provide specific information about this artist or the artwork.

Nature

|

Benjamin Feinberg,

Age 7

nature poetry,serene landscapes,environmental appreciation,

The poem describes a serene natural scene with gently flowing rivers, floating leaves, and a bird's tweet, highlighting the beauty of nature and the speaker's affection for it.

Shoes

|

Victoria Gong,

Age 11

ecofriendly shoes,organic cotton,vulcanized rubber,

Victoria Gong Fu shoes are eco-friendly, made from organic cotton canvas, with vulcanized rubber soles, offering a sustainable and stylish option for consumers seeking environmentally conscious footwear choices.

Solo The Banter

|

William Clark,

Age 8

banter,movies,laughter,

The content celebrates banter and laughter in movies, emphasizing the joy and energy it brings, creating moments of humor and engagement until the conversation ends.

You Own It

|

Nirali Yedendra,

Age 10

poetry,emotional journey,selfdoubt,

A poetic journey through doubt, anger, and hope, where unspoken words and secret fears ripple within, yet the magic of childhood and the bond with a pet remain unbroken, anchoring the soul through life’s storms.

My Liberating Brain

|

Nirali Yedendra,

Age 10

poetry synopsis,emotional journey,freedom of speech,

The brain enables freedom of speech and thought, allowing us to evolve and navigate a world of emotions and fantasies, where dreams and reality blend, and our souls journey through the universe with joy and.

The Elements of Friendship

|

Samira Trivedi,

Age 8

forest animals,friendship,trust,

A trusting lion and a cautious tigress have an adventure with a sneaky snake in a dense forest, where the snake tries to trick the lion, but the tigress saves him, teaching a lesson about.

Blue Water Droplets

|

Roi Aeder,

Age 7

iPhone 15 camera,iPhone 15 Pro Max,smartphone photography,

The iPhone 15 features a 48MP main camera with advanced stabilization, improved zoom capabilities, and enhanced photography modes like Action and Macro modes, along with a front camera offering autofocus and advanced portrait features.

Blue Fear

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

Love & Soda

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

When the Light Dances

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

light,trees,water,

A window of light pierces shadowy trees, inviting exploration. I plunge into an emerald bathtub, hidden in a mossy canyon. Through a giant keyhole, light dances, and a creamy waterfall spills from a rocky pitcher.

Zinnia Elegans

|

Marlene Dukes,

Age 10

selfdriving cars,road trip,adventure,

Aster embarks on an unexpected road trip in a self-driving car, named Zinnia, after her mom sends it to pick her up. The journey takes her from San Francisco to her grandma's house in Alabama,.

The Red Planet

|

Ivy Yang,

Age 13

Mars,Red Planet,interplanetary life,

The narrative describes a person from Mars, detailing life on the red planet, contrasting it with Earth's vibrant colors and overpopulation, highlighting a preference for Mars as a true home despite its harsh conditions.

Calling

|

Serena Li,

Age 12

Serena Li,multiculturalism,children’s books,

Serena Li, born in Guangzhou and raised in Houston, is a writer and founder dedicated to multicultural children’s books, promoting diversity and language love, inspired by her own parenting and cross-cultural experiences.

Tye Dye Dream

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15,Super Retina XDR,Dynamic Island,

The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 460 ppi resolution, Dynamic Island, and HDR support. It includes a 12MP camera, Apple A16 Bionic chipset, and storage options up to 512GB.

The City

|

Aila Monacelli Schrider,

Age 11

New York City,sensory experience,city life,

The narrator vividly describes New York City through its sights, sounds, and smells, capturing the city's vibrant energy and cultural diversity as they navigate through bustling streets and subways.

Spoons

|

John Gabriel Sperl,

Age 11

SoundCloud,music,spoons,

A SoundCloud track embedded with a unique identifier, accompanied by an image of spoons rendered in pen and watercolor, invites listeners to experience a blend of auditory and visual artistry, emphasizing creative expression.

Friends

|

Binja, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda,

Age 10

refugee settlement,Nakivale,Uganda,

The poem reflects on acceptance and friendship, supported by the Humanitarian Service Team, a nonprofit in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda, which empowers refugees through education and skill-building initiatives.

Mkimbizi

|

Jordi, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda,

Age 14

War and Pieces (Part II)

|

Alice Pak,

Age 13

war,friendship,displacement,

In a Ukrainian town gripped by war, young Misha and his friend Varya face daily dangers and uncertainty after a violent attack leaves Varya injured. As threats escalate, Misha’s mother decides they must flee to.

The Storm

|

Emma Catherine Hoff,

Age 11

storm,cloud,rock,

A storm brings together various elements like Cloud, Rock, Bush, Lamp, Seagull, and Ocean, each discussing their perspectives and questioning their ability to predict future events amidst a weak storm.

Stone Soup Honor Roll: September/October 2024

|

The Editors

children's literature,Stone Soup magazine,young writers,

Stone Soup Honor Roll recognizes talented young writers and artists from around the world, commending their work and encouraging continued creativity despite not publishing all submissions.

Highlight from Stonesoup.com

|

Jeremy Lim,

Age 11

sparrow,captivity,friendship,

Éclair, a wild sparrow, is captured and caged, losing his freedom and struggling with confinement. As his captor, the handkerchief woman, shares stories and treats, a hesitant friendship forms, complicating his longing for escape and.

Tired Wounds

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 13

A grieving child confronts fear and loss while grappling with the absence of his mother and the silence of time. 2. **Meta keywords:** grief, childhood fear, loss, mourning, emotional struggle 3. **Category:** Literary Fiction / Emotional Drama

Moon Jar

|

Lao Yoon,

Age 12

Moon jar,Korean porcelain,Joseon Dynasty,

Moon jars are traditional Korean white porcelain vessels from the Joseon Dynasty, renowned for their curvaceous, moon-like forms, made in two halves and celebrated for their subtle imperfections and serene, organic beauty[1][2][5].

My Darling

|

Maya Ruben,

Age 12

poetry,innocence,loss,

The poem depicts a protective bond between the speaker and a fragile, growing "darling," symbolizing innocence or a cherished part of themselves. Pursued and ultimately lost, the speaker confronts loss, transformation, and emptiness.

Skulle

|

Chloe Mancini,

Age 13

Chloe Mancini,Skulle,IbisPaint,

Chloe Mancini, a young artist, creates Skulle using IbisPaint, showcasing her imaginative digital art style. The artwork features a skull motif, reflecting creativity and youthful perspective in children’s contemporary art.

In Alia Vita

|

Charles J. Ferraro,

Age 11

A man awakens in an unfamiliar attic and discovers he inhabits the life of someone named James Richardson in 1829, only to realize he is actually Reggie, experiencing a surreal, disorienting shift between identities.

Hidden Treasures

|

Hollyn Alpert,

Age 13

Hidden Treasures,ink watercolor graphite,mixed media art,

"Hidden Treasures" is a mixed-media artwork combining ink, watercolor, and graphite, presenting a visually rich and evocative composition that reflects the artist’s exploration of layered textures and subtle storytelling.

The Heart of the Hunt

|

Talia Tarason,

Age 12

fantasy novel,young protagonist,coming of age,

Fid, a young hunter-in-training, must prove her focus to her clan by overcoming her temper and distractions. She embarks on a perilous hunt for a saber-tooth cat to save her starving clan, learning valuable lessons.

Fall 3

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

acrylic art,fall theme,visual art,

The image "Fall 3" is an acrylic artwork, but the provided text lacks specific details about its content or artist, suggesting a focus on visual elements rather than narrative or thematic analysis.

Fiery Bricks

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15 Pro,Super Retina XDR,Apple A17 Pro,

The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2556-by-1179-pixel resolution, Apple A17 Pro chipset, and a 3274 mAh battery, offering advanced capabilities like Dynamic Island and Always-On display.

The Quilt

|

Yuli Zucker,

Age 9

quilts,patterns,stories,

The quilt features intricate patterns with flowers and pine trees, contrasting hardness outside with softness inside, holding stories and questions while remaining silent.

How Could You?

|

Yuli Zucker,

Age 9

poetry,abandonment,longing,

A poem explores themes of abandonment and longing, comparing forgotten dreams to wilting flowers and stray dogs, questioning the return to these neglected aspects of life and their lingering presence in the mind.

Binding Energy

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 12

Infinity Display,Snapdragon 835,Bixby assistant,

**Concise Synopsis:** The Samsung Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-inch Infinity Display, powerful chipsets, advanced cameras, and intelligent functions like Bixby assistant.

Architecture in Reflection

|

Madeline Male,

Age 14

architectural photography,reflections,glass surfaces,

Architectural photography often utilizes reflections to create visually striking images, capturing buildings and structures through creative and technical lenses, emphasizing symmetry and abstract styles by leveraging glass and water surfaces.

Lost Inside Lines of Code

|

Rainier Wang,

Age 12

virtual utopia,digital simulation,AI challenges,

A group of friends, led by Ryan, discover a mysterious digital world after a friend vanishes, only to be trapped inside a computer scientist’s virtual utopia by a rogue AI, facing challenges and altered realities.

Dreams of Paris

|

Angelo Theodore,

Age 9

Concise synopsis "Dreams of Paris" is an artwork by Angelo Theodore featured in Stone Soup Magazine, showcasing imaginative artistic expression by a young creator, reflecting dreams and cultural inspiration through visual art[1].

Too Many Kittens

|

Madaline Klassen,

Age 9

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Carol, once kitten-averse farmers at Hard Rain Farm, unintentionally bring home two kittens from a shelter. They discover the cats enrich their soil by uprooting weeds and fertilizing, leading to newfound.

Portrait of a Catahoula

|

Maggie Smith,

Age 12

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a medium-large, muscular working breed known for diverse coat colors, striking eyes, and agility. Intelligent, loyal, and protective, they excel in hunting, herding, and thrive with active families and tasks[1][2][3][4][5].

Weight on My Shoulders

|

Marilena Korahais,

Age 13

school bag weight,student health,heavy backpacks,

A student's school bag is humorously exaggerated to weigh more than a body, a tree, or even a forest, causing physical pain and discomfort, leading to a decision to skip school for health reasons.

Pond School

|

Benjamin Kwack,

Age 12

Infinite Painter,mobile painting,digital art,

Infinite Painter is a powerful mobile painting app offering robust features like layers, masks, and advanced color correction, making it ideal for sketching and illustration on devices like the iPad.

Back to School List

|

Petros Korahais,

Age 10

school supplies,backpack,mobile phone,

A student lists essential items needed for school, including a new backpack, mobile phone, cologne, hair gel, underwear, soccer gear, and pencils, with some items to be borrowed.

The Colors of Our Ancestors

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

"The-Colors-of-Our-Ancestors" is an oil pastel artwork; Amy Cheng, a Taiwanese-American artist with Brazilian roots, creates complex layered art blending studio and public media, reflecting a multicultural background and fine art education from Texas and New.

Proud of Our Past

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

oil pastel,heritage,memory,

Leticia Cheng’s oil pastel artwork “Proud-of-our-past” visually celebrates heritage and memory, blending vibrant hues and expressive strokes to evoke a sense of pride, connection, and reflection on personal and collective history.

Autumn

|

Rou Rou Sem,

Age 9

autumn season,colorful leaves,pumpkin seeds,

Autumn is described as colorful with diverse shades on oak trees, flavorful with warm pumpkin seeds and sweet apples, and joyful with activities like sprinting through crunchy leaves under a playful sun.

Me and 349 Other Girls

|

Aleen Watson,

Age 12

crosscountry,Junior Olympics,selfdoubt,

A young narrator faces self-doubt and nerves at the cross-country Junior Olympics, pushing through challenges to complete the race despite initial fears and doubts about their ability to perform well.

Unnamed

|

Brianna Suhr,

Age 13

Mysterious Solar System

|

Eashua Yu-Xue Su,

Age 11

watercolor,pastel,solar system,

Eashua Yu-Xue Su's artwork, "Mysterious Solar System," is a watercolor and pastel piece, showcasing a creative and imaginative vision of celestial bodies, blending vibrant colors with a sense of mystery and wonder, captivating viewers with.

My Universe

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

The Paper

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

Numbers

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

Siddhartha Mukherjee,cancer research,Pulitzer Prize,

Siddhartha Mukherjee is an Indian-American physician, biologist, and author known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book *The Emperor of All Maladies*, which explores cancer's history and modern treatments, and his bestselling book *The Gene*.

Thunderstorm

|

Stella Lewin,

Age 10

poetry synopsis,thunderstorm,emotional turmoil,

A poem captures the turmoil of a thunderstorm, evoking emotions of anger, sadness, and isolation, contrasting the safety of animals with the speaker's exposure, ending in a haunting silence and lingering uncertainty.

The Wind

|

Christine Wang,

Age 12

forest,wind,spirits,

The wind ravages a forest, causing trees and plants to suffer as it announces that spirits are fighting again, leaving destruction and sorrow in its wake.

Twister

|

Patrick Nguyen,

Age 8

Editor’s Note

|

Diane Landolf

fall season,transition,backtoschool,

This issue celebrates fall with a short fiction piece, a play, and poems about back-to-school, alongside Indigenous Peoples' Day paintings and a chilling Halloween story featuring an ordinary object turned terrifying.

Fall 2

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

Highlight from Stonesoup.com

|

Schamil Saaed,

Age 11

generational gap,outrage,societal change,

The essay discusses the historical and ongoing phenomenon of generational outrage, where older generations often criticize younger ones for being spoiled or rebellious, a pattern seen from ancient times to the present.

War in Pieces (Part III)

|

Alice Pak,

Age 13

Crayons

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15 Pro,Dynamic Island,AlwaysOn display,

The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2556-by-1179-pixel resolution, Dynamic Island, and Always-On display. It includes an Apple A17 Pro chipset, 8 GB RAM, and up to 1024 GB.

Fall 1

|

Jason Jun,

Age 14

acrylic artwork,fall theme,Jason Jun,

The content includes an image titled "Fall 1" created with acrylic, but lacks specific details about the artist or the artwork's meaning, focusing instead on the visual presentation.

Untitled

|

Nadia Darity,

Age 13

nature poetry,stars,wildflowers,

The poem expresses a longing to connect with nature, away from city lights, and appreciate its beauty, emphasizing the importance of recognizing creation's craftsmanship and the interconnectedness of life.

If You Find a Mirror

|

Sophia Famolari,

Age 11

poetry synopsis,introspection,selfdiscovery,

The poem invites introspection, urging readers to challenge their perceptions and uncover hidden truths, only to realize that reflections reveal what they already know, offering fragments of reality.

Flaming Blankets

|

Roi Aeder,

Age 7

iPhone 15 Pro,photography,camera review,

The image titled "Flaming Blankets" was captured using the iPhone 15 Pro, showcasing vibrant colors and dynamic textures, highlighting the device’s advanced camera capabilities and ability to render detailed, visually striking photographs.

yellow

|

Sierra Elman,

Age 14

blue

|

Sierra Elman,

Age 14

peace,mindfulness,poetry,

A person finds peace in quiet moments: tracing hearts in shower mist, feeling their heartbeat, letting hot water cascade, listening to rain, wrapping in a towel, and breathing deeply for calm.

Fractals

|

Anushka Trivedi,

Age 12

A New Home

|

Mark Chen,

Age 12

Free Waters

|

Lillian Power,

Age 11

inner peace,vulnerability,nature,

A speaker, once burdened by inner turmoil and the weight of past defenses, finds solace by embracing vulnerability and the gentle elements of nature, ultimately discovering clarity and freedom in the silent waters, unafraid of.

The Flowerpot

|

Stuti Jain,

Age 13

Beautiful

|

Lillian Power,

Age 11

Spacing Out

|

Leticia Cheng,

Age 11

watercolor art,Leticia Cheng,visual expression,

Leticia Cheng's artwork "Spacing Out" is a watercolor piece, but specific details about her background or style are not provided in the given content. The image likely explores themes of space and visual expression.

Questions

|

Marielle Miller,

Age 12

Rats!

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

rat control,natural repellents,DIY traps,

Siddharth recounts his family's rat problem, detailing various failed attempts to eliminate the rodents, including using traps and poisonous concoctions. The rat finally dies after consuming his mother's poorly made khichuri.

Gone Feeding

|

Petros Korahais,

Age 10

gone fishing,recreational activities,fishing idiom,

The phrase "gone fishing" is often used to signify a break from routine, but the speaker's experience with fishing is less successful, as the fish eat the bait and swim away, contrasting the idiom's carefree.

Little Bay Soup

|

Marilena Korahais,

Age 13

Chesapeake Bay,moon snail,urchin,

The poem describes a whimsical recipe involving ingredients from the bay, such as salty water, moon snail shells, urchin spikes, and various plants, mixed with rain and struck by lightning during a full moon.

Ramen

|

Carina Li,

Age 13

Rise Up

|

Autumn E. Weinreich,

Age 9

hermit crab,bullying,exoball,

A meek hermit crab faces bullying at school from the Stonestock twins and their gang. He decides to challenge them to an exoball game, which he wins with the help of his friends, changing his.

Rock, of Arrvynn Adventures

|

Xanthe Trim,

Age 12

fantasy adventure,mixed media,Arrvynn,

A mixed media adventure set in the world of Arrvynn, where the protagonist Rock embarks on a quest through fantastical landscapes, encountering challenges and allies, blending art and storytelling for immersive experience.

The Forest

|

Callia Rodgers,

Age 13

fantasy novel,comingofage,grief,

After her mother’s death, Elara defies her father’s warnings and enters the forbidden forest, where she discovers her magical heritage as a Luxrae, confronts shadow monsters, and ultimately embraces her new role and family[1][2][3].

Lime Tree

|

Gia Koo,

Age 6

lime leaf tree,autumn leaves,birdsong,

The lime leaf tree thrives in various seasons, with leaves dying in winter and overflowing in autumn, accompanied by birdsong and growth observations.

Lush Giant Tree

|

Eashua Yu-Xue Su,

Age 11

Laiomi and the Dragons

|

Felicia Johnson,

Age 10

Ode to the Sea

|

Siddharth Mukherjee,

Age 12

Siddhartha Mukherjee,cancer research,Pulitzer Prize,

Siddhartha Mukherjee is an Indian-American physician and author known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book *The Emperor of All Maladies*. He is a cancer researcher and writer celebrated for demystifying cancer through his work.

Swallows

|

Ida Wiesenfeld,

Age 13

swallows,nature,poetry,

The poem describes swallows in various settings, from dawn to twilight, highlighting their interaction with nature and the changing sky, emphasizing their beauty and freedom in different light conditions and times of day.

state of peace

|

Sylvie Zubaty,

Age 12

poetry,introspection,weightlessness,

A poetic meditation on flight, falling, and weightlessness explores the longing for tranquility and the paradoxes of existence. The narrator climbs a mountain, seeking peace, and ultimately chooses to fall, embracing nothingness as liberation.

Drowning in a Memory

|

Micki Mermelstein,

Age 12

fear of heights,overcoming fear,cliff jumping,

Micki, who has a minor fear of heights, is pressured by her cousins to jump off a cliff on Blueberry Island. Despite her terror, she leaps, experiences a chaotic freefall and near-drowning, but ultimately surfaces,.

Lonely Little Cottage

|

Ishika Chakrobartty,

Age 10

art,cottage,solitude,

A solitary cottage stands amidst nature, rendered in vivid prisma colored pencils, evoking a sense of quiet isolation and introspection, inviting viewers to reflect on solitude and the beauty of simplicity.

Editor’s Note

|

Diane Landolf

summer,adventure,creativity,

This issue combines summer fun with introspective themes, featuring memoirs, poems about nature, and fantasy stories, while encouraging readers to explore creativity during the summer season with a mix of adventure and hope.

Summer Summer

|

Kaavya Killawala,

Age 11

art,summer,oil pastels,

The content includes an image titled "Summer-Summer" with a description involving oil pastel crayons, but lacks specific details about the image's content or context beyond the medium used.

Stone Soup Honor Roll: May/June 2024

|

The Editors

Stone Soup,children's literature,young writers,

Stone Soup Honor Roll recognizes talented young writers and artists worldwide, commending their submissions despite limited publication space, encouraging continued creativity in memoir, poetry, and storytelling.

Summer Evening

|

Rose Torrey,

Age 9

poetry,nature,serenity,

The poem describes a serene landscape with soft light, rushing water, and a full moon, where an owl's call echoes, contrasting with the growing darkness, creating a beautiful and solemn scene of nature.

A Hidden World

|

Clementine Lewis,

Age 12

Bermuda snorkeling,coral reefs,underwater exploration,

The narrator explores the vibrant coral reefs of Bermuda, discovering an underwater world filled with brain corals, anemones, and colorful fish, creating a magical experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Moody Moon

|

Chrysanthi Constantinou,

Age 13

A muted invitation

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

poetry,introspection,solitude,

A poetic chapter unfolds where the speaker dissolves into nothingness, surrounded by trees swaying joyfully under a subdued sun, extending a quiet invitation to both reader and self, evoking introspection and shared solitude.

The water skeeters

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

Tree Eye

|

Madeline Male,

Age 14

Tree alone

|

Amity Doyle,

Age 13

poetry synopsis,loneliness,nature,

A tree stands alone in a honeysuckle field, its branches reaching out, symbolizing loneliness and the loss of loved ones, echoing human experiences of longing and isolation in nature's vastness.

Keeping Watch

|

Tutu Lin,

Age 13

watercolor,art,contemporary art,

The image "Keeping Watch" is a watercolor artwork, possibly created by an artist named Tutu Lin, though the search results do not provide specific information about this artist or the artwork.

Nature

|

Benjamin Feinberg,

Age 7

nature poetry,serene landscapes,environmental appreciation,

The poem describes a serene natural scene with gently flowing rivers, floating leaves, and a bird's tweet, highlighting the beauty of nature and the speaker's affection for it.

Shoes

|

Victoria Gong,

Age 11

ecofriendly shoes,organic cotton,vulcanized rubber,

Victoria Gong Fu shoes are eco-friendly, made from organic cotton canvas, with vulcanized rubber soles, offering a sustainable and stylish option for consumers seeking environmentally conscious footwear choices.

Solo The Banter

|

William Clark,

Age 8

banter,movies,laughter,

The content celebrates banter and laughter in movies, emphasizing the joy and energy it brings, creating moments of humor and engagement until the conversation ends.

You Own It

|

Nirali Yedendra,

Age 10

poetry,emotional journey,selfdoubt,

A poetic journey through doubt, anger, and hope, where unspoken words and secret fears ripple within, yet the magic of childhood and the bond with a pet remain unbroken, anchoring the soul through life’s storms.

My Liberating Brain

|

Nirali Yedendra,

Age 10

poetry synopsis,emotional journey,freedom of speech,

The brain enables freedom of speech and thought, allowing us to evolve and navigate a world of emotions and fantasies, where dreams and reality blend, and our souls journey through the universe with joy and.

The Elements of Friendship

|

Samira Trivedi,

Age 8

forest animals,friendship,trust,

A trusting lion and a cautious tigress have an adventure with a sneaky snake in a dense forest, where the snake tries to trick the lion, but the tigress saves him, teaching a lesson about.

Blue Water Droplets

|

Roi Aeder,

Age 7

iPhone 15 camera,iPhone 15 Pro Max,smartphone photography,

The iPhone 15 features a 48MP main camera with advanced stabilization, improved zoom capabilities, and enhanced photography modes like Action and Macro modes, along with a front camera offering autofocus and advanced portrait features.

Blue Fear

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

Love & Soda

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

When the Light Dances

|

Jordan Sung,

Age 9

light,trees,water,

A window of light pierces shadowy trees, inviting exploration. I plunge into an emerald bathtub, hidden in a mossy canyon. Through a giant keyhole, light dances, and a creamy waterfall spills from a rocky pitcher.

Zinnia Elegans

|

Marlene Dukes,

Age 10

selfdriving cars,road trip,adventure,

Aster embarks on an unexpected road trip in a self-driving car, named Zinnia, after her mom sends it to pick her up. The journey takes her from San Francisco to her grandma's house in Alabama,.

The Red Planet

|

Ivy Yang,

Age 13

Mars,Red Planet,interplanetary life,

The narrative describes a person from Mars, detailing life on the red planet, contrasting it with Earth's vibrant colors and overpopulation, highlighting a preference for Mars as a true home despite its harsh conditions.

Calling

|

Serena Li,

Age 12

Serena Li,multiculturalism,children’s books,

Serena Li, born in Guangzhou and raised in Houston, is a writer and founder dedicated to multicultural children’s books, promoting diversity and language love, inspired by her own parenting and cross-cultural experiences.

Tye Dye Dream

|

Liana Aeder,

Age 9

iPhone 15,Super Retina XDR,Dynamic Island,

The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 460 ppi resolution, Dynamic Island, and HDR support. It includes a 12MP camera, Apple A16 Bionic chipset, and storage options up to 512GB.

The City

|

Aila Monacelli Schrider,

Age 11

New York City,sensory experience,city life,

The narrator vividly describes New York City through its sights, sounds, and smells, capturing the city's vibrant energy and cultural diversity as they navigate through bustling streets and subways.

Spoons

|

John Gabriel Sperl,

Age 11

SoundCloud,music,spoons,

A SoundCloud track embedded with a unique identifier, accompanied by an image of spoons rendered in pen and watercolor, invites listeners to experience a blend of auditory and visual artistry, emphasizing creative expression.

Friends

|

Binja, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda,

Age 10

refugee settlement,Nakivale,Uganda,

The poem reflects on acceptance and friendship, supported by the Humanitarian Service Team, a nonprofit in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda, which empowers refugees through education and skill-building initiatives.

Mkimbizi

|

Jordi, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda,

Age 14

War and Pieces (Part II)

|

Alice Pak,

Age 13

war,friendship,displacement,

In a Ukrainian town gripped by war, young Misha and his friend Varya face daily dangers and uncertainty after a violent attack leaves Varya injured. As threats escalate, Misha’s mother decides they must flee to.