finding one's voice

Story·Terry Yu — An overweight girl faces bullying at school, finds solace in her mother's love, and discovers inner strength through a mysterious birthday letter that transforms her perspective.

Story·Tatum Lovely, age 12 — A perfect little girl meets her imaginative neighbor who takes her on a magical journey through a silver door to a Second World of castles, lollipop gardens, and rainbow-chasing ships.

Poetry·Emily Yen, age 11 — A young writer captures the moment of creative paralysis before inspiration strikes, celebrating words as 'lines of grace' that bring thought to life.

Story·Jonah Christiansen-Barker, age 13 — A young boy writes stories in an alley, facing adults who question his identity as a writer until he discovers his own definition of being published.

Poetry·Connor Kiggins, age 12 — A 12-year-old rails against school as an 'American monarchy' where teachers are dukes, principals are kings, and students are powerless peasants denied basic freedoms.

Personal Narrative·Audrey Tushman, age 12 — A gymnast describes the sensory experience of competition, from entering the arena through her floor routine, emphasizing drive over winning.

Story·Miya Lin, age 10 — A girl reads about a catnapped cat in the newspaper, then sneaks out at night to search for and successfully reunite the missing cat with its owner.

Story·Evelyn Mealer, age 9 — A gymnast who loses her love for the sport after her favorite coach retires discovers she's a talented runner and makes it to the Olympic trials.

Personal Narrative·Elise Cheung, age 8 — A girl visits Taiwan's Houtong Cat Village, where villagers care for hundreds of stray cats, and forms a special connection with a hungry orange tabby kitten.

Personal Narrative·Augusta Koch-Cochrane, age 12 — A nervous rider at a Halloween Horse Show discovers that personal accomplishment and encouraging others matters more than winning first place.