Issue #6 - Fall 2025

COMING-OF-AGE FANTASY

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WISH UPON A STAR

by SHANNA XIAO (Featured New Young Author!)

10-13 YEARS

Each day she visited the bakery, Darius would let her try a new type of dessert. Cakes as fluffy as clouds, topped with ruffles of frosting and polished cherries. Croissants with more layers than lasagna. Pies whose fillings formed the colors of a rainbow. He often incorporated his magic into the desserts, creating levitating decorations and cream puffs that changed colors when bitten into. Aisling was starting to think that Darius was more invested in his baked goods than trying to help her keep her job.

And her powers.

LYRICAL FANTASY

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THE BOY WHO PLANTED STARS

by MEIRELES ANDRÉ

10-13 YEARS

“That night, while the village slept, Lumo climbed the hill behind the last hut. He dug a hole with his hands, trembling from the cold.

“I believe in light,” he said, burying the seed. “And I believe you can hear me.”