growing up

Story·Lindsay Gale, age 9 — After a math homework fight with her father, a girl runs away to the woods but discovers survival is harder than her books suggested, returning home by morning.

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·Sophia Famolari, age 9 — A poem traces a plant's journey from sprout breaking through soil to flower blooming in sunlight, celebrating each stage of growth.

Personal Narrative·Oren Milgrom-Dorfman, age 12 — After ten months without parties, a middle schooler observes birthday rituals with new eyes, finding meaning in store-bought cake and awkward traditions.

Personal Narrative·Michael Chao, age 13 — A boy rescues two abandoned baby hummingbirds from a tennis court and raises them by hand, learning to feed and care for them until they're ready to return to the...

Personal Narrative·Claire Pan, age 11 — An eight-year-old navigates her first solo bus ride, ice-skating camp, and the small victories of a shy kid finding courage in new experiences.

Personal Narrative·Emerson Dennis, age 11 — A third-grader accidentally leaves class early, cries from embarrassment, then months later agonizes over whether her teacher will mention it at parent-teacher conferences.

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.

Story·Zoe Kijak, age 11 — A girl who never backs down from a challenge breaks her arm climbing the neighborhood's tallest tree during a game of Truth or Dare she wasn't supposed to play.

Personal Narrative·Lila Carpenter, age 11 — A girl struggles with anger and sadness as she helps her sister move into a college apartment in Bar Harbor, finding clarity by the ocean.