belonging

Story·Pauline McAndrew — An Indian college student encounters racism while grocery shopping, triggering memories of her parents who returned to India to afford her education.

Story·Elia Smith, age 11 — A fashion-conscious ten-year-old chooses a fancy dress for a family gathering, then watches from the sidelines until she decides playing with cousins matters more than looking perfect.

Poetry·Rickza Kerr, age 11 — A Haitian-American adoptee imagines helping the world through kindness, reuniting families, and bridging the gap between her birth country and adoptive home.

Story·Megan Lowe, age 13 — A newly adopted Japanese girl struggles to adjust to her American home until her museum-worker father brings her a tiny tea cup from a Japanese Friendship Doll exhibit.

Story·Katie Woodward, age 12 — In 1957 Ohio, a lonely girl befriends an elderly Cherokee boarder who brings the first snow in twenty years and teaches her that she is loved.

Story·Michelle Grifka, age 12 — A self-conscious girl travels to Ireland to stay with relatives and discovers her pink-haired cousin Bridget is a talented artist dealing with her father's recent departure.

Story·Sophia Pellegrino, age 11 — Carmen wins a coveted violin solo over popular classmate Gabriella, but when she finds Gabriella crying, they discover they both wanted to be friends all along.

Story·Katie Sinclair, age 13 — During a storm at an inn, a traveling storyteller tells of a mysterious Fisherwoman who died saving her child, whose return will bring rain back to drought-stricken Searain.

Poetry·Soujourner Salil Ahebee, age 10 — A young immigrant mourns leaving Côte d'Ivoire, listing beloved foods, peoples, places, and memories of a father who called her 'cherie.'

Story·Sophia Pellegrino, age 11 — Carmen auditions for a violin solo against the popular new girl Gabriella, wins the part, then discovers Gabriella wanted to be friends all along.