About the Inklings Book Contest
Each year, the Inklings Book Contest celebrates youth writers in grades 3–12. Winners revise their stories with a professional mentor and are published in our annual anthology. Finalists receive editorial letters with revision guidance and are featured on our Inkwell platform.
This post offers a sneak peek at several finalist pieces. Click through to read each story on the Inkwell, where young writers are encouraged to share their voices and connect through storytelling.
Want to cheer them on? Anyone can create a free read-only subscriber account to leave a comment.
Inklings Book 2025 Finalist Spotlight
Chapter Six: Unexpected Encounters
The stories in this sixth chapter of our Inklings Book 2025 Finalist Spotlight tell sweeping tales that follow their characters as they observe, meet, and connect with unexpected friends. These youth writers beautifully explore how impactful relationships with those unknown to their characters can be, as well as how these relationships can develop.
Chasing the Golden Glow
by Beatrice Bernhard
(7th grade)
The remote town of Forest Haven was as boring as the community of grizzly bears that lived there. The village was built around a small creek where the bears could drink water, and the climate was exemplary for growing and nurturing the berries, roots and grubs they ate. But in the summer, instead of having neighborhood picnics or cultivating gardens, they would stay hidden in their dark caves, alone. When winter arrived, every bear went into hibernation; and, months later when the smell of spring was in the air, and the enticing sound of the creek flowing and birds chirping should motivate a bear to wake up and embrace the new season, they still stayed in their dark caves. It seemed the slothful inhabitants of Forest Haven would never change their hopeless ways.
That is, until one day, one young bear changed everything.
The Trio of Hearts
by Sora Sakamoto
(4th grade)
The snow poured down from the mountains and the pearl white trees hid the animals. The beautiful silence was followed by the soft swooshing sound of a little girl snowboarding. She was ten years old, adventurous for her age, and she knew all about Greek mythology, from Zeus’ vicious fight with the titans, all the way to the beautiful Greek mermaid, Daphne. But she didn’t bother bragging about it, what good would that do? Her ‘friends’ would laugh and mock her, she would only end up walking away. But right now, where no one bothered her, in the middle of this winter wonderland, she could just feel the freezing cold wind hitting her face. She stopped riding and stood on the hill, seeing the phenomenal view down below.Â
This extraordinary girl was called Mina. Mina Elsher and her family had a secret—she was adopted.
The Echoes of Love and Loss
by Kaitalyn Quinones
(10th grade)
Quiet staccato notes pinged through the air. Blowing in the wind, they made their way into a small clearing, swirling around piles of orange and red leaves, ringing out in the crisp fall air. The notes were so sudden that they happened to startle a small mouse, who fell back on her hindquarters. She grunted as the mice behind her proceeded to run into her. The fallen mouse was chided by her siblings as they crawled over her, leaving her at the back of the line. The situation was promptly dealt with, and the family of mice continued on their march peacefully. That is, until their mother flattened to the ground, ears standing at attention. Her children followed suit, all of them except for the female mouse at the end of the train. Out of the bunch, she was the most curious, often venturing away from the rest of her family to explore.
Looking for a Summer Adventure?
Try the Inkwell Scavenger Hunt! Read stories, spot hidden gems, and earn fun rewards.
