facing fear

Poetry·Ava Luangkesorn — Birds endure a devastating storm that transforms their peaceful sea home, then witness the rainbow and crystalline water that follow.

Personal Narrative·Xi Huang — After witnessing a powerful storm from her Florida deck, a young girl discovers the ocean's terrifying magnificence and gains new understanding of its dual nature.

Story·Sol Smith — A mare discovers humans have tagged her foal for removal and escapes the stable with him, joined unexpectedly by her best friend.

Fox

Poetry·Jessica Xu — A speaker encounters a red fox carrying prey, observing its sharp features and alert posture before it disappears into the bushes.

Story·Natalie Yue — A daddy longlegs trapped in a shower fears death when children find him, but one girl carefully releases him outside, granting unexpected freedom.

Personal Narrative·Sophie Li — A girl races classmates to determine relay order, but when she beats the 'perfect' girl, her competitor lies about the result, leaving the truth unresolved.

Story·Riley Killen — A teen guitarist battles stage fright through two performances, finding courage with help from family and an unexpected friend who gives her a purple guitar pick.

Personal Narrative·Samuelle Torres — A nine-year-old boy cracks his head at a playground, experiences disorientation at the hospital, then recognizes the doctor who delivered him at birth.

Story·Roy Zha — A raindrop named Roy falls from his cloud home, lands on grass, evaporates back to the sky, and discovers the water cycle is an endless, scary adventure.

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.