You once asked me what it would take to ease the burdens and sorrows of the little 10-year-old girl living deep within myself. I scoffed. Because – really. Why would I have an answer to that? Little 10-year-old me? I …
Big Mountain by Mae Faglier
“The Unseen Beast” She sits atop a tree that lives on The Mountain, watching for anything that might sound good to eat. Her fluffy gray coat moves with the wind while she is cemented to the tree with claws. Her …
The Pool by Julian James
“Those of you who are mine, drop. You know who you are. Flutter-kicks, let’s go.” There is no hesitation; the pool deck comes up fast and counting begins with earnest, masochistic urgency. The rest of the formation, about two-thirds of …
Adventures Through Reading and Writing by Sarah Seales
I’m the youngest and only girl of four kids in my family. As an Air Force family, we had the opportunity to live all over the country. My oldest brother, Aaron, was born in Denver; Josh and Chris were born …
Our Final Goodbyes by Patricia Hansen
I will never forget the day of November 21, 2018, a day that forever changed the dynamics of my family. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and I was looking forward to the gathering my family was planning. I recall …
Neverland by Alexa Hoskisson
Father/ I feel your shadow attached to my feet/ but I am no lost boy/ and you don’t have the strength to be mischievous./ Father, I don’t want to forget/ but my memories are clouded by your crooked walk/ I …
The Midnight Bookstore by Juliet Moore
They walk to her shop on starry nights and sometimes through rain or snow. People who like the quiet of an almost empty space with low lighting and long tables and dusty particles that drift through lamplight to settle on …