growing up
— A girl navigates family tensions and grief during a lake outing, culminating in an ice cream mishap that leads to an unexpected swim across the lake with her cousin.
— A train passenger watches the ocean transform from violent turquoise waves to peaceful sunset, remembering childhood drawings and contemplating permanence amid change.
— 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.
— Alone at her family's Country House, once filled with cousins' laughter, an 11-year-old reflects on how growing up has emptied the summer gathering place of its magic.
— A child observes her father's emotional state mirroring stock market fluctuations during COVID-19, realizing she cares about stocks because they affect him.
— A third grader reflects on her growth over the school year, recognizing changes in maturity, self-discipline, and confidence in standing up to bullies.
— A competitive swimmer's rivalry with her perfect cousin intensifies when an injury sidelines her from the season's final meet, revealing unexpected connections between them.
— A wizard searches for her broken wand, reconnects with her grandfather oak tree, and together they send dreams to humans to inspire forest conservation.
— Two cousins skip watching their brothers' soccer games to clean up trash from a forest stream, turning a boring morning into a meaningful adventure.
— A girl reluctantly moves from Bellevue to New York, clinging to memories of her neighborhood, best friend, and the places that shaped her childhood.