By Lauren Tompkins, Illustrated by Emily Wendland
Published November 26, 2016
Shannon took a deep breath and then opened the door. Tiny brass bells that hung on the inside tinkled merrily until she closed the door behind her and ran her hand swiftly through almost completely...
By Katie Russell, Illustrated by Joanna Stanley
Published November 26, 2016
It was a beautiful afternoon in August; it was slightly breezy and there wasn't a cloud in the baby-blue sky. School started in two weeks and the kids in my neighborhood were going all out,...
By Sophia Stid, Illustrated by Sheri Park
Published November 26, 2016
The Crow woke me up. He is perched at the top of the old redwood, his raucous cries circling and drifting, jerking me from my dreams. Half of me wants to shake him for waking...
By Anastasia M. Apostoleris, Illustrated by Devon Cole
Published November 26, 2016
"You're lucky, Spencer. I wish I had a baby brother." Ten-year-old Spencer Coleman smiled pridefully at his best friend, José Perez, and then down at his month-and-a-half-old brother, Johnny. "I'm glad that he's a boy,"Spencer...
By Rachel Weary, Illustrated by Leslie Osmont
Published November 26, 2016
Sometimes think that "if only" must be the two most depressing words in the English language. How many times have you said to yourself, "If only I'd studied harder" or "If only I'd been there...
By Jessica Ro, Illustrated by Kristin Allmon
Published November 26, 2016
"So, Grandpa, how's life been treating you?" my older brother asked cheerfully. My grandpa just shot back an icy look, looking at him for a long time without a blink. "OK," my brother whispered, raising...
By Emma Kilgore Hine, Illustrated by Chloe Scheffe
Published November 26, 2016
Kythia awoke to the sound of trumpets announcing her father's departure. She grunted and sat up abruptly, stretching stiff muscles. She had wished to speak with her father, Sir Farlan, before he and his knights...
By Hannah Postel, Illustrated by Leigh Marie Marshall
Published November 26, 2016
I stare at the flickering candle, the small light throwing echoes onto the flimsy curtain wavering with our movements. That cloth is all that separates us from the audience; they're out there, waiting, waiting for...
By Caitlin Peterson, Illustrated by Lydia Trottmann
Published November 26, 2016
I remember the first time we played Periwinkle. I was ten and my sister Lou was eleven. We were just under a year apart, eleven months exactly. It was her birthday and her party had...
By Molly Ostertag, Illustrated by Evan Mistur
Published November 26, 2016
The barn was dark, but a warm and welcoming darkness. The hay piled up for the horses smelled sweet and soft. The barn door was slightly ajar, just enough for a small bedraggled traveler. The...
