March 2022

by Jo Knowles, art by Galia Bernstein

2022

First line: One summer day, Little Worm went out to play and discovered he had a song stuck in his head.

elements used: introduces the main character and their problem, establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader into the story, and makes the reader wonder something

by Sonia Sotomayor, art by Angela Dominguez

2022

First line: Each day when Sonia woke up, her mother asked her a question.

elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something

by Janet Lawler

2022

First line: Imagine moms beneath the waves with lots of love to share.

elements used: engages the reader and hints at an unusual premise

by Muon Thi Van, art by Jessica Love

2022

First line: I love you because...because you're you.

elements used: hints at a universal theme

by Benson Shum

2022

First line: All great kaiju are born with a superpower to strike fear in the heart of their given city.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and hints at an unusual premise

by Matthew Forsythe

2022

First line: Mina lived in her own little world where nothing ever bothered her.

elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something

by Eva Chen, art by Sophie Diao

2022

First line: We named you Mei.

elements used: introduces the main character and hints at the universal theme of the importance of a name 

by Jacqueline Woodson, art by Rafael Lopez

2022

First line: That was the year we learned to fly...that was the spring when the rain seemed like it would never stop and the thunder boomed so hard, we weren't allowed to go outside.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

by Sandra Magsamen, art by Melisa Fernandez Nitsche

2022

First line: I believe that wishes really do come true, so here's what I wish, wish, wish for you.

elements used: hints at a universal theme, engages the reader, and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

by Cedella Marley and Tracey Baptiste, art by Tiffany Rose

2022

First line:Tonight was Marley's big night! 

elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something

by Alphabet Rockers, art by Ashley Evans

2022

First line: Are you ready to go?

elements used: Engages the reader and makes the reader wonder something

by Deborah Marcero

2022

First line: Llewellyn loved scary books, scary jokes, and scary cartoons.

elements used: introduces the main character

by Joanna Ho, art by Dung Ho

2022

First line: The other day, when Baba picked me up from school, I didn't run in for a hug the way I usually do; I stared at my toes where it was safe.

elements used: Introduces the main character and hints at their problem, and makes the reader wonder something

by Chris Gall

2022

First line: A ship is in trouble!

elements used: makes the reader wonder something

by Mike Curato

2022

First line: Tiny was having a big party.

elements used: introduces an unusual character and sets the scene of the story

by Linsey Davis

2022

First line: How do I get to heaven?

elements used: engages the reader and hints at a universal theme

by Karen Kilpatrick, art by German Blanco

2022

First two lines: SMOOCH! A Kiss!

elements used: hints at the universal theme of love and engages multiple senses

by Tracy Sorell, art by Madelyn Goodnight

2022

First line: "River, wake up," Amber whispers.

elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something

by Laura Gehl, art by Timothy Banks

2022

First line: From the moment he was born, Leif was different.

elements used: introduces the main character and hints at his problem, makes the reader wonder something, and hints at a universal theme

by Laura Gehl, art by Patricia Metola

2022

First line: Britta's two favorite trees, Apple and Magnolia, were best friends.

elements used: introduces unusual main characters

by Jessica Kulekjian, art by Jennifer Bower

2022

First line: Every year, after many months of cold and snow, the First Notes of Spring musicians melted winter away with their melodies.

elements used: introduces unusual main characters, sets the scene of the stories, and engages multiple senses

by Barry Timms, art by Tisha Lee

2022

First line: Love grows everywhere...from country farm to city square.

elements used: hints at a universal theme and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

by Megan Maynor, art by Micah Player

2022

First line: The final prize in the school raffle was a basket of lollipops so big, the principal pulled it onstage in a wagon.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and hints at the universal theme of wanting to win something

by Robie H. Harris, art by Armando Marino

2022

First line: Somewhere, somewhere is where I wanted to go.

elements used: hints at a universal theme and makes the reader wonder something

by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, art by Yas Imamura

2022

First line: Tama did not like the desert.

elements used: introduces the main character and hints at their problem, and makes the reader wonder something

by Mechal Renee Roe

2022

First lines: Lovely and wise, shine at sunrise! i am growing each day!

elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and engages multiple senses

by Claire Keane

2022

First line: Good morning, Little Wonder!

elements used:  introduces an unusual main character

by Ruth Behar, art by Devon Holzwarth

2022

First line: I love to visit my tia Fortuna in her little pink casita at the Seaway.

elements used: introduces the main character, sets the scene for the story, and makes the reader wonder something

by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace, art by Aura Lewis

2022

First line: It was a normal Sunday afternoon except for one thing.

elements used: sets the scene for the story and makes the reader wonder something

by Margaret Chiu Greanias, art by Tracy Subisak

2022

First line: It was time for a visit.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something