Renee Jain 
“You’re so smart!” “You’re so creative!” “You’re so… [insert convenient, but possibly damaging description here]” The other day during a frantic scramble to get my 1-year-old to music class, I watched her perform her latest trick — slipping into her little gym shoes and tightening the Velcro straps all by herself. She then stared at … Read more
Thwack! Yoon-hee put a hand up to her neck and felt something wet and sticky. She peeled it off. A spit ball. Yoon-hee felt her face flush as she lowered her body in her chair. She didn’t even have to turn around to know whose spit ball it was. Yoon-hee could hear them giggling—Lisa, Norma … Read more
It is time for the annual school spelling bee, and this year’s grand prizes have just been announced. You have beaten your classmates with a flawless spelling of the word “bologna,” and you will be moving on to the final round. Spellers from each class will compete on the huge stage in the auditorium in … Read more
“I didn’t get invited to Craig’s party . . . I’m such a loser.” “I missed the bus . . . nothing ever goes my way.” “My math teacher wants to see me . . . I must be in trouble.” These are the thoughts of a high school student named Jeremy. You wouldn’t know … Read more
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” ~Michael Jordan Growing up, I wanted to be just like my … Read more