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In "Fish Cheeks," which is about a Chinese American girl who feels embarrassed by her family during dinner, Tan explores how culture can be essential to a person's identity.

In Julia Alvarez's short story "Names/Nombres," the author explores the various names she has received over the years.

This short but profound poem deals with the experience of hiding one's identity.

In Shel Silverstein's poem "Yesees and Noees," a speaker describes three different types of people: the "Yesees", the "Noees", and the "Thinkforyourselfees".

After a year spent at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, Harry Potter returns to his non-magical family for the summer, where he must endure his family treating him badly because they fear his powers.

In Deb Westgate-Silva's short story "Getting Even," Rosa tries to get even with a friend who hurt her. 

In Adrienne Su's poem "Peaches," a speaker describes being the child of Chinese immigrants in America.

In Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick's short story "Gren's Ghost," a boy agrees to meet his classmate at a castle, unsure of what to expect.

In "Sweet Difficult Sounds," a young girl who immigrated to America from Zimbabwe struggles with confidence as she adjusts to her new school environment.

In "The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed," a jealous brother learns an important lesson with the help of a sparrow.

In "Saturday School," a young girl experiences a tough first day trying to learn "correct Spanish."

In "Unusual Normality," Ishmael Beah describes his experience transitioning to life in America after his experiences as a child soldier in Sierra Leone.

In "The Homecoming," a man learns the consequences of focusing on everyone's business but his own.

In "Joint Custody," the speaker reflects on their experience growing up in two households.

In "maggie and milly and molly and may," four girls have different experiences playing at the beach in this experimental poem.