2025 Emerging Writers
Each year, Redwood invites eighth graders at Berkeley public middle schools
to submit pieces for publication in our May issue.
Emerging Writers are guided through the revision process by experienced Redwood writers.
to submit pieces for publication in our May issue.
Emerging Writers are guided through the revision process by experienced Redwood writers.
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POETRY
Shaima Nasser
In the Beloved Community, we will dream of peace and harmony, Where love and trust will be all we see. With unconditional love, we stand together |
FICTION
Leelu Cordella
Everything seemed fine. All participants were in their canoes and beginning to paddle out. It was mid summer, and the air was balmy and warm... |
POETRY
Sir-Remy Maldonaldo Jr.
In a kingdom of my own I would lay in the fields. I would not rest in the comfort of homes Nor beg pay from those who live. I would lay in the forest... |
POETRY
Kira Poursohi
On those nights When the sunset is such a bright color You think it might be alight Do you ever wonder Does the sky feel too? Are those crimsons and magentas |
FICTION
Sawyer Flett
There it is again, he thought. The unceasing knock at the door. Glorm got up from the grimy couch and stumbled towards the door, his feet shuffling... |
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FICTION
Selah Park-Manoff
James Nix dashed down the hallway as his building began to crumble. He’d quickly raced out of his office when the shaking began, knowing it could mean no good. |
POETRY
Kathryn Zaragoza-Aaron
They say the multiverse is real. So maybe it is I think in another universe you’d be a teacher, fifth grade You'd like that the kids aren’t too old for mischief |
FICTION
Jasmina Salokhiddin Kizi
It all started with Cassie being Cassie. We were lounging around the park — Leo, Cassie, and I — when she spotted it: an old phone booth, leaning sideways... |
POETRY
Zarya Kobata
I remember your soft fur and quiet presence. If you came back I would feed you canned food — salmon, I think, with nutritional yeast sprinkled on top. |
March 2025
Issue 23
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FICTION
Shiva Swaminathan Strickland
There’s something living in the washing machine. It whistles at night. You’ve never seen snow before. You imagine the whistling of ice-laden wind... |
FICTION
Adrian Lei
As Aster began to pack his tablet to leave the coffee shop, Renata had changed out of her barista uniform and strolled over to their table. |
FICTION
Piave O'Regan
Once, there was a flock of geese in a land where the seasons were brought by four great animal spirits. These geese lived next to a beautiful lake... |
FICTION
Rory Danielson
The photos flash by like some crude old fashioned motion picture. Clicking through digitized memories, my family gapes at the screen as if they were... |
POETRY
Solana Schwarzinger-Reuter
The Merry-Go-Round of life. It starts the moment we are born. The first time we see light, Shining down into our eyes from up above. The ceramic horses rise... |
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FICTION
Ori Boozaglo
God, can you hear me? I wonder if you can sometimes because I find myself calling out for help. I don’t say this to seem ungrateful or that I don’t believe... |
POETRY
Acadia Legg
Picture: Moss covered rocks Absorbed with last night’s rainfall As the shelter of pines gives way To a small harbor A lone sailboat floats on the surface... |
FICTION
Sophia Mayhew
From a distance, the spaceship looked like a shooting star, falling up into the ocean of the evening blue sky, like a grain of sand, or a speck of glitter. |
FICTION
Maya Dang
Long ago, when the very idea of time hadn’t been discovered yet, there was a young girl who everyday wandered through the endless meadows of the world. |
January 2025
Issue 22
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FICTION
Maya Dang
Ding-dong. Ding-dong. The Rosé Bakery and kitchen bustled with loud customers chatting about their daily lives and the world, with cashiers and staff... |
FICTION
Piave O'Regan
Long ago, in a world where the seasons walked the earth as animal spirits, there lived a young fox. Like all fox kits, he was born in the spring... |
POETRY
Solana Schwarzinger-Reuter
The lights dim The curtains rise The music starts And the show begins The people on stage converse and giggle The audience laughs The mood changes |
FICTION
Ori Boozaglo
Back to the present . . . All of that is to say, three years ago, we took down that general like it was nothing. Reminiscing about that night... |
FICTION
Max Mardesich
The beginning of the end of everything was not a fiery cataclysm, nor was it the rippling effect of a scientist's blunder. The beginning of the end... |
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FICTION
Adrian Lei
“Our drinks will be ready in a couple of minutes,” notified Linh as he pulled out his markers from the canvas bag and asked Aster, “Could I draw on your arm?” |
POETRY
Zael Johnson
Where have we been Sunset flower petals fall Gorgeous metallic tears splashing Onto a grassy hill Words drip from my mouth As embers drip from coals |
FICTION
Rory Danielson
Thunk. Like a strike of lightning the slam of the car door startles me back to reality. “That was a pretty drive, huh?” Sage stands out over the reservoir in awe... |
October 2024
Issue 21
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FICTION
Rory Danielson
As if moved by a pirouetting ballerina, the breeze sent ripples over the mottled plain. Clouds dragged behind their tails lazily, their hazy shadows... |
POETRY
Lei Lani Daniel
We have a pep in our step as we walk from the stadium. Instruments shouting, with victory in our steps. Those who are too tired to keep playing... |
FICTION
Sophie Mirza
I sat in the dark on my front porch as I stared into the distance. I was about to take a walk. Everything was blurry. I couldn’t make out the end... |
FICTION
Max Mardesich
A girl and her grandfather sit on splintered rocking chairs, watching the asymmetry of the beach from afar. The house they sit on the porch of was once... |
POETRY
Maya Dang
In the realm of sports, swimming often plays second fiddle, overshadowed by soccer’s power and basketball’s dribble, yet, as its story runs... |
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FICTION
Ori Boozaglo
The orange sun barely peeks out over the rolling hills of sand and I am already on alert. No one is safe now. Not since the assassination of our King... |
POETRY
Solana Schwarzinger-Reuter
I wonder what it's like Not being bound by the restraints of gravity Being so far off the ground, the people look small And their problems become invisible |
FICTION
Adrian Lei
The bell had already rung by the time Aster could finish his preliminary test that was intended to gauge his prowess as an animator. |
2024-25 Academic Year
Editor-in-Chief:
Zael Johnson
Copy Chief:
Shiva Swaminathan Strickland
Director, Emerging Writers Program:
Max Mardesich
Managing Editor:
Ori Boozaglo
Publicity Coordinator:
Chloe Rappaport-Crowther
Copy Editor:
Rory Danielson
Editors:
Ori Boozaglo
Maya Dang
Adrian Lei
Max Mardesich
Solana Schwarzinger-Reuter
Writers:
Ori Boozaglo
Maya Dang
Lei Lani Daniel
Rory Danielson
Zael Johnson
Adrian Lei
Max Mardesich
Sophie Mirza
Piave O'Regan
Solana Schwarzinger-Reuter
Faculty Sponsor:
Allyson Bogie
Editor-in-Chief:
Zael Johnson
Copy Chief:
Shiva Swaminathan Strickland
Director, Emerging Writers Program:
Max Mardesich
Managing Editor:
Ori Boozaglo
Publicity Coordinator:
Chloe Rappaport-Crowther
Copy Editor:
Rory Danielson
Editors:
Ori Boozaglo
Maya Dang
Adrian Lei
Max Mardesich
Solana Schwarzinger-Reuter
Writers:
Ori Boozaglo
Maya Dang
Lei Lani Daniel
Rory Danielson
Zael Johnson
Adrian Lei
Max Mardesich
Sophie Mirza
Piave O'Regan
Solana Schwarzinger-Reuter
Faculty Sponsor:
Allyson Bogie