By Elsa Joel

James entered his house with an animal in his hand.
“Take this, Lauren,” said James to his granddaughter.

By Nafisa Yusufali, age 12, Keller, TX

“Sydney! Sydney!” my mom yells urgently from downstairs. “Wake up or you're going to be late for school!”

By Vichida Phisitkul (Dada), 12 years old, Thailand

Today was Meg’s first day attending her new school, and her hands were already sweating out all her confidence.

By Haley Hunt, age 12, Peachtree City, GA

When science class began, Alex McKenzie looked down at her empty desk—the desk where the homework Mr. John assigned the night before should have been.

By Madeline Berkowitz, age 10, New York

I love this place, my home planet. As a two-ball alien, bouncing here is my favorite thing to do.

By Bryan Martinez, Brooklyn

On the outskirts of a beehive, there looms a mountain out in the far horizon. Every morning from dawn to dusk, the bees come out and play, working to pleased their Queen.