connection to nature

Story·Virginia Mason, age 12 — Three friends seeking relief from drought discover a mysterious river where a glowing woman lures one of them away, then wake to find rain has finally come.

Story·Rachel Keirstead, age 12 — A girl devastated by moving from Ohio to New Jersey finds hope when she discovers an outdoor club at her new school and makes a friend who shares her love...

Poetry·Caroline Lunt, age 12 — A child climbs to a tree house and observes the small details of nature—an ant carrying a leaf, a bird taking flight—before settling down to read.

Story·Angela Chang, age 9 — A girl watches from her backyard as a male blue jay sings to attract a mate, then observes the pair fly away together into the sky.

Story·Alex Carmona, age 12 — A wolf pup who lost her family in a blizzard encounters a grieving girl who lost her dog, and through their connection, the wolf brings her blind brother to the...

Poetry·Mary Woods, age 12 — A harness racing scene unfolds through storm imagery, where horses' hoofbeats create a rhythmic song against the track in rain and wind.

Story·Erin Wiens St. John, age 13 — A young scientist explores a forbidden island where explorers have vanished for centuries, discovering an underground sanctuary where animals and a mysterious woman shelter from nightly supernatural storms.

Story·Lydia Taverne, age 13 — An older sister shares a quiet moment with her three-year-old sibling, watching a woolly bear caterpillar uncurl and explore while reflecting on their bond.

Story·Lebo Molefe, age 13 — A rainbow-colored parrot is captured from the rainforest and transported through illegal wildlife trade, eventually finding a home with a lonely girl named Anne.

Poetry·Madeline Snigaroff, age 11 — A catalog of simple sensory pleasures builds to an unexpected direct address, transforming observation into intimate connection.