“I start sliding photo off of photo, trying to find it. Here it is: Mom sitting crisscross in the grass in a grove of live oaks. Looking at her, looking up at the trees, I get the same feeling as when I’m lying in the woods behind the house, looking up at the crowns of the tall pines. It’s the closest I ever get to peace."
⎯ CahRizMa, 14, Nevada
“And it’s like we’re two trees secretly sharing nutrients underground, two stars orbiting around all the thing there’s no language for.” All the Things We Never Knew
⎯ Tiffany, 17, Texas
“Yes, the very sight of tall, skinny pines, with long necks like mine, makes me want to do a cartwheel and shout, ‘Thank you, God!’ for teaching me how to reach and keep reaching.” Calling My Name
⎯Nicole, 15, Georgia
“The pain inside me peeks its head out, eyeing a friend. And now it’s like his hurt and my pain are hiding under the bleachers together, holding hands.” All the Things We Never Knew
⎯Shanice, 18, New Jersey
“Up high, a swarm of bugs fight over the fluorescent light. They think it’s the moon. Hungry for light, they think any light is the moon, but the moon is a thin-lipped smile.” Calling My Name
⎯Diane, 33, Ohio
“Once thoughts are gone, rhythm shows up like clear skin on picture day.” Calling My Name
⎯Michelle, 16, Michigan
“Being this close to Rex has my heart speaking in colors again. A kingdom of colors. Making all the arguments for our love that words and thoughts couldn’t come up with.” All the Things We Never Knew
⎯Caitlyn, 16, California
“Inside me, there’s no space for fear. Everything is still brimming with bright lights, flowing, pulsing, bubbling, and dancing⎯unbound.” Calling My Name
⎯Kayla, 17, Louisiana
“It’s like every school wants to teach everybody the same exact things, like those are the only important things in life to learn about. But there are sooooo many things in this world to know. Who decides what’s most important, anyway? Any why do they get to decide?” All the Things We Never Knew
⎯Kristina, 15, Texas
“In the hush of an early Sunday morning, I hear a call, a one-note song floating across my dreaming skies⎯a sweet cue for me to open my eyes.” Calling My Name
⎯Lindsay, 22, Florida
