courage

Personal Narrative·Eloïse de Larquier — A girl falls from monkey bars during backyard play, fractures her arm, and finds courage at the hospital after initial fear about getting a cast.

Story·Cecilia Hodgman — A brainy fifteen-year-old plans her escape from a witch-ruled kingdom after being offered an apprenticeship she can't accept, discovering she has magic when crossing the border.

Poetry·Isley T. Bloom — A poem contrasts the fearless lion who stands its ground with the quick lizard who runs but can regenerate, exploring different forms of strength and survival.

Story·Miranda Yesser — A samara seed journeys on the wind through countryside and village, fearful of landing far from home, until it grows into a maple tree that can finally see its origins.

Personal Narrative·Louise Johnson — A six-year-old steals money from her mother to buy a coveted tea set, then confesses through tears, learning about unconditional love.

Story·Ava Shorten — A river blocked from the sea becomes a puddle who befriends an aging frog that shares stories of the ocean and ultimately carries the puddle to its destination.

Story·Sophie Daniel — During a thunderstorm, a frightened girl and her mother share their fears, leading the girl to discover courage as the storm passes and flowers bloom.

Personal Narrative·Mengxin Sun — Seven-year-old stuck on a water slide at Great Wolf Lodge faces her fear of darkness and devises a solution to get the raft moving again.

Story·Lila Mackenzie — A girl discovers that a strange hotel transforms based on whether you wear special glasses, revealing hidden realities including her trapped mother.

Story·Tatum Lovely — In 1826 New Mexico, ten-year-old Narna and her blind sister Lana escape their father's cruelty with their mother, finding refuge and community with relatives in a small adobe village.