We are happy to continue what started in 2025 with The Sentence Center Review’s Writing Excellence Award.

Our teachers nominated essays for each class level to receive this special recognition. The quality of writing was considered, but also the effort, attitude, and determination that the writer brings to class each week.

The process of becoming a strong writer is a marathon, not a sprint. The power of continuing to show up, take feedback, and work hard cannot be overstated. This award seeks to celebrate that commitment from our students and the important work they are doing. Awardees will have their writing published in our literary journal, The Sentence Center Review, at the end of the year.

In the words of the recently passed playwright Tom Stoppard, “Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.”

Bravo and Congratulations! We are very proud of you.

Excerpts from Writing Excellence Award Winners

There were tall, swaying trees with emerald leaves, birds chirping, and leaves crunching. Above us, the clear blue sky was dotted with fluffy clouds and soaring birds. Nature had really outdone itself.

• “Afraid to Fly” by Sydney Fu

It’s a grand estate, for one thing. Stately. It surprises me that Sir Albert Annesly is not keeping it for himself, but there must be a good reason.

• “The Fitterfield Murder” by Cora Matthews

I try my best to practice moves like spinning and jumping. Sometimes spins and jumps are a little scary when I start them because I usually end up falling.

• “Ice Skating is a Challenging Sport” by Elyse Liu

My little sister has some sort of sixth sense that knows when my dad and I are playing soccer. She also loves soccer, so she will always come out and play with us.

• (Untitled) Anderson Treadwell

I decided to wear my unlucky shoes, since I thought the games I lost playing in them were just a coincidence. Little did I know that was not the case.

• “The Time I Broke My Nose” by Arin Savkar

Swish! Ping! The ball rolled down the green and rolled right across the hole, missing it by a mere millimeter.

• “An Unforgettable Round” by Noelle Shim

I grabbed my dao and walked up to the stage. My palms were sweaty, and I felt like I was on a roller coaster.

• “A Helpful Performance” by Aaron Tai

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email.

To wrap up our final Summer Spotlight, meet Ariana: one of our long-time students who's now headed to an elite private school in Miami…

“Ariana Jane, come inside. Don’t be shy.”

A petite child in pigtails peeked from behind her mother’s back.

“It’s OK, dear. Hold my hand. You’re going to write today.”

As the nervous second grader entered the classroom, she started to sob, trying to find refuge behind her mom’s legs. After some gentle cajoling, she finally sat in front of a blank piece of binder paper, nervously clutching a yellow pencil.

An hour later, Ariana left the class grinning from ear to ear.

“Can we come back and do more?” she pleaded to her mom. “I love to use my imagination and write anything.”

From that day forward, this bright-eyed girl discovered her love for writing.

Ariana became one of our regular students at our in-person classes, which eventually evolved into a virtual classroom. Through the years we've witnessed this youngster grow as well, both as a student and a writer. She became fascinated with books, sitting for hours at a library or bookstore, dreaming of becoming an author. She wrote extensively about her travels to Armenia, Japan, and Amsterdam, often sending her writing teachers a thoughtful souvenir or an endearing picture from her sojourns. Most importantly, she took every opportunity to get involved at her middle school, eagerly joining their sports, extracurricular, and volunteering activities.

Thus, it’s no surprise that she is headed to South Beach to attend her “dream” high school, Gulliver Prep. She’ll be joining their Biomedical Sciences program and plans to write for RaiderVision, the school’s student-run publication.

We are proud of you, Ariana! We’ll keep an eye out for your premiere news article.

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email.

We treated our taste buds to opinion and explainer essays expressing our thoughts on desserts, summer activities, and diets. Speaking of sensory details, Creative Writing students explored imagery in their stories this week!

As a reminder, Application Essay Workshops are still open for enrollment. For help with the timed essay test, personal statement, or short response questions, enroll your 5th-8th grader for 3 Friday afternoons (4:30-6:30 pm, PT) of essay writing instruction with Mr. Chino.

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

Outside the window of her room, miles of yellow grass rolled out until they reached the big, tall mountains in the background. No cars. No neighbors. Just a whole lot of nothingness. “Mom,” the girl said, not looking up from her notebook, “if I want to take advanced chemistry next year, how will we get the equipment?”

• by Sophia (6th grade)

I remember the first time I tried a mushroom. It was at a Chinese restaurant, and when they gave us the soup, I saw a white cube. I thought it was tofu, so I drank it. I bit into it, and it was chewy! If you had never had tofu, it is very soft and definitely not chewy.

• “Mushroom? Ew!” by Derek (7th grade)

Little Treasures: Play, Shop, Swap

Dive into playful activities and hands-on experiences throughout the day, with a lineup of programming featuring sessions of story, movement, and music designed to engage and inspire.

August 30, 2026 at 10am

Details here!

We celebrated the final weeks of summer vacation with informative and argument essays about screen-free weekend activities, genres of entertainment, and our thoughts on “practice makes perfect.”

As we approach back-to-school season, we will be continuing our super successful Application Essay Workshops. For help with the timed essay test, personal statement, or short response questions, enroll your 5th-8th grader for 3 Friday afternoons (4:30-6:30 pm, PT) of essay writing instruction with Mr. Chino.

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

I saw the looks on my teammates faces when I got the ball. They had the sadness of someone realizing their hard work go to waste, but this time I did something different. After beating my defender down the line, I saw my teammate open, and instead of shooting the shot, I played a perfect pass into my teammate, who looked so shocked that he almost missed the goal.

• by Joey (8th grade)

Sometimes, Olivia would have to wear the same clothes everyday, like the same old faded jeans that practically was almost brown, the beat up purple hoodie that had a few big holes on the sleeves, the same black and white shoes, and her hair in a messy braid. Olivia was hoping maybe her family business would do well, so she could get at least some of the clothes that the cool kids wear.

• “Fit In” by Katya (7th grade)

Vocabulary Fun!

We bid goodbye to the tangy July summertime with exciting narrative essays and personal statements about daring adventures, overrated experiences, and conquering our fears. Our Summer Writing Program is into its final two weeks, so join us before the school year begins!

Are you considering sending your kids to private middle or high schools?

This fall, we will be continuing our super successful Application Essay Workshops. For help with the timed essay test, personal statement, or short response questions, enroll your 5th-8th grader for 3 Friday afternoons (4:30-6:30 pm, PT) of essay writing instruction with Mr. Chino.

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

The sun has officially banished the last traces of darkness from the sky, and now birds are singing their morning song. Everything seems so happy and cheerful and wrong. I am running for my life, searching for a home, and all I know is that living in the clouds will not be easy. I know how to do many things, like forage for food, build fires, and catch fish with my bare hands, but what I do not know how to do is stop running.

• “Running Girl” by Sydney (5th grade)

The orange trees surrounding Beau move in the wind, back and forth, as he collects oranges to make a device that allows him to teleport using a code. One thing few people in this realm know how to make. Thanks to his grandpa, who served in the Navy back in 2163, he has the main power source that goes into a case that is then filled with sweet orange juice. And for Beau’s 14th birthday, his grandpa gave it to him so they could hopefully one day build the device.

• by Keegan (5th grade)

Bay Day at the Exploratorium

Aspiring marine scientists of all ages can join researchers and ecologists can learn about the incredible life that’s been living in the San Francisco Bay!

August 1, 2026 11am-4pm

Tickets

We launched into literature models with excerpts from A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and Bomb by Steve Sheinkin. Our summer classes even got to travel forward in time to tell imaginary tales of the future!

Though we only have 3 weeks to go at our Summer Writing Program, we still have a few openings left. Get your kids ready for the school year with one last summer writing blast!

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

While we were sprinting it started getting warmer. It also started smelling worse. We coughed and coughed and coughed. What was it. Red stripes were going out of the air. “Wild fire!” I shouted.

• by Emma (5th grade)

Jude stepped into the very dark and steel box with a light switch that doesn’t work with only a knob that you have to twist to pick a year to time travel to. “I’m ready,” said Jude with a frightened looking face.

• by Otto (4th grade)

Two hundred years in the future, things were not looking good as fossil fuels dwindled. Trucks that hauled goods like food and clothes stopped farms started taking more and more food for themselves, and water pumps shut down electricity followed soon after.

• by Ian (7th grade)

July Birthdays

Wishing these amazing authors a very happy birthday! May the next year be full of joy!

🎉 Charlotte, Gavin, Ariana, Logan 🎉

We’re all abuzz here at Sentence Center celebrating Isabela Park’s debut novel, Chrysanthemum. Isabela started in our Elementary Composition and then Advanced Creative Writing classes, before working 1-1 with Ms. Margaret to finish her novel. We asked the young author to share some of her insights from climbing that mountain to publication!

Sentence Center: How would you pitch your novel to prospective readers?

Isabela: Our main character, Chrysanthemum, is a teenage girl facing the challenges that come with middle school and trying to fit in. Summer comes along, and she meets an exciting pair of siblings, along with a peculiar and nerdy boy, and…dragons! The plot features fantasy and friendship, with a dark mystery just waiting to be solved.

SC: What inspired you to tackle writing a novel?

Isabela: Its very beginning was rooted in one of Sentence Center’s writing exercises. But what really inspired me to write a novel was other books. Ever since 3rd grade, reading has been such an important factor in my life. My favorite genre is fantasy. Something about the freedom and creativity it offers is so refreshing in a world full of rules and guidelines. Famous series like Keeper of the Lost Cities, Warriors, and Wings of Fire were the spark that started the fire of my own novel.

SC: What challenges did you encounter?

Isabela: Starting my novel as a scatterbrained fourth grader, fueled by nothing more than the idea of creating her own story, organizing my own plotline was definitely a challenge. All I wanted to do was jump right into the story, drown in the writing, and get lost along the pages—which is what happened. However, thanks to the help of Ms. Margaret, I was able to take my ideas and put them into a structured plotline. We created a whole separate document to keep tabs on everything, such as key scenes, plot twists, and timelines.

Chrysanthemum has gone through about four different drafts, with drastic changes from the beginning. In fact, my original idea for it was completely different than how it ended up. It was undoubtedly difficult to keep writing Chrysanthemum over the three-year timeline. Whenever writer’s block struck, all I wanted to do was start working on another idea that had been nagging me in the middle of the night. Ms. Margaret’s constant encouragement helped me push through every rough scene and chapter.

SC: What advice would you give to other aspiring young authors?

Isabela: Ideas are easy, considering all of the inspiration surrounding you. It is much, much harder to grow and build off of said idea. The only reason a book will ever get published is because of the boring, slow-paced moments of writing. Planning plotlines, keeping ideas organized, and committing to long-term projects are all aspects of writing that I found especially difficult.

Distractions are not preventable, nor are they a bad thing. Most of my future novel ideas come from them— but the thing that will keep you from unfinished stories and great ideas that never are finalized is that you stay on track. Writing a book is tough work— work that I am forever surprised that I was able to accomplish. So, to all the young authors who are looking forward to publishing their own work, keep grinding it out.

SC: What’s your next literary mountain to climb?

Isabela: I’ve been working on another novel, Elementals, which follows another teenage girl, much like Chrysanthemum, who wants to save the world. This story is more mature, but still embraces the wonders of a fantastical world. Set during a war between factions that control different elements. The main character, Bridget, struggles with the cruelty surrounding her everyday life and rebels against the status quo.

SC: If you could jump into your story for one day, what would you do first?

Isabela: I would definitely ride a dragon.

Chrysanthemum is available in paperback and for Kindle via Amazon.

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email.

We indulged in informative and explainer essays describing our favorite desserts, our dream jobs, and the silliest individuals in our lives. Keep reading for some fiction-writing highlights from our Summer Writing Program!

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

The shelter was made of steel that cooled my body when I touched it... There were at least 50 people squished into this cramped room. Many were still in their pajamas and others were in work clothes getting ready to leave. My family and I stood out from the crowd with our blonde hair and green eyes. Many people were staring at us whispering to themselves and I shrunk back from the crowd disliking all the new attention.

• “Goodbye SF” by Noelle (7th grade)

The final buzzer went off, and Jack’s team had just lost the championship game. He and his teammates had worked hard all season, got to the championship, but lost. When he got home, he was in a terrible mood, and realized that he needed to clear his mind. He decided he would go to the basketball court near his house and shoot around by himself... The basketball court was like a sanctuary to him. He went there almost everyday to play the game that he loved.

• by Hugh (7th grade)

Creating Home at Filoli!

What makes a tree a home? Track down giant nest sculptures tucked across the estate, uncover hidden stories from the estate staff, and discover how nature has made Filoli their home. Learn more here!

We soaked in the summer sunshine as we pored through excerpts from Stuart Little by E.B. White, Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen, and Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang. As a reminder, Sentence Center will be closed on July 4th, 2026. Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

P.S. Our super popular Summer Writing Program has just a few spots left - we’d love for your child to join us!

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

As Bob wakes up, he stretches his clear body and sees people walking as if they were big Godzillas. Unlike other living things he doesn’t brush his teeth or wash his face. Bob goes as close as he can to the kitchen to see his friends, trying to avoid the giant feet or paws of animals.

• “Bob’s Regular Routine Is Strange” by Andy (4th grade)

Imagine yourself driving from Reno or Sacramento to San Francisco after a long day. Now, you’re stuck in Bay Bridge traffic watching the beautiful sun pass under the Golden Gate at sunset. The mix of the water, orange sun, buildings, and traffic will make this one of the best views that you may ever get in your lifetime.

• “A Beautiful View” by Aaron (5th grade)

When the sun slowly started coming up, campers slowly started hiking down, admiring and being impressed by how well a seven-year-old could hike such a difficult hike. The hike kept getting more difficult with nonstop switchbacks; it felt like the trail kept turning back and forth up the mountain.

• by Willa (6th grade)

June Birthdays!

Happy birthday to these extraordinary essayists! Wishing you a year full of delightful surprises!

🎉 Varun, Emma, Keegan, Amanda, Brayden, Maya, Grace 🎉

We crafted thoughtful opinion and argument essays on vacation spots, animals to rescue, and school grades. Here is another thoughtful opinion: you should check out the Summer 2026 Reading Recommendations for some delightful reads!

A reminder:

• Sentence Center will be closed on July 4th, 2026.

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

The style in Japan is also different. I went to a hotel where you had to sit on your legs at the table. I had an epic time with my grandparents and cousins in Japan.

• by Ryder (4th grade)

I believe an elephant could kill a lot of zombies because the elephant can just stomp on them. Since these human bitten zombies are very fragile, their bones would probably all break.

• by Sheldon (4th grade)

While number grades can be helpful in a small manner, with letter grades, you can see how you are improving over the years and have a summed up copy of your grades. For example, at the end of the year my school doesn’t give you any physical representation of your grades or clear ideas.

• by Sofia (7th grade)

Happy Juneteenth and Happy Father’s Day!

Celebrate with a free concert at Spreckels Temple of Music in Golden Gate Park on Sundays from 1:00-2:30pm!

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

When eleven-year-old Delphine travels from Brooklyn to California with her two younger sisters to visit their mother, they learn about their family, their country, and themselves during one truly crazy summer.

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. One day, she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a box full of letters signed “Love, Edith,” and photos of a woman who looks just like her.

Maggie’s Big Break by Jennifer Dickinson

Maggie Pierson is an aspiring actress starting sixth grade with dreams about auditioning for the school’s fall play. In the face of new insecurities about her stutter, how will Maggie find the courage to not hide her voice and pursue her dreams?

Deep Secrets: A Titanic Novel by Nikki Shannon Smith

Set during the Great Depression, this book tells the story of a girl named Colette who secretly gets a job working at a store, where the store owner tells captivating stories about his journey aboard the Titanic before it sank.

Medicine Wheels by Byron Graves

A gifted young Ojibwe athlete learns to ride in his father’s footsteps while practicing for a skateboarding championship. At Wolf Creek reservation, Bryce is determined to take his crew to the top of the competition at the end of the summer.

Or spend some time traveling to enchanting new worlds! ⌛

Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne

In California, the discovery of a cave of magic-transferring stones shakes up the world of Shifters and Statics. For Davis, whose magic failed to manifest, the transfer stones offer a chance to change his fate. But at what price?

Love Me Tomorrow by Emiko Jean

What if your true love could write to you from the future?Seventeen-year-old Emma Nakamura-Thatcher finds a note from someone claiming to be her greatest love writing to her from the future. It has to be a prank, right?

Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

A cozy near-future novella about a crew of deactivated robots opening their very own delicious noodle shop for the humans of San Francisco, who are recovering from a devastating war.

The Unwanteds, Lisa McMann (recommended by student Angela Tian!)

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds and the artistic Unwanteds. Unbeknownst to many is the hidden, colorful world of Artimé where creativity is considered a gift... and a weapon.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (recommended by student Angela Tian!)

A kind witch in the Forest rescues children offered as sacrifices by the fearful Protectorates. One year, she accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling her with extraordinary magic that comes with dangerous consequences.

Welcome to this year’s first Summer Spotlight post! Each month, we will feature a student and celebrate their accomplishments.

Learn more about Angela below:

Hydrate, pack a snack, and make sure to stretch as we run through the ever-expanding list of Angela’s achievements!

In addition to staying on top of her everyday academic grind, Angela participates in the Science Bowl and Badminton Club, tutors younger scholars, continuously reaches new heights on the ice skating rink, and cares for her community in ways big and small. We have to assume that eating and maybe even sleeping happen somewhere in there, too.

That determination to excel has led to Angela’s acceptance into Stanford Online High School (OHS), a highly selective and academically rigorous program, where students must take college-level courses in order to graduate. More proof that Angela is not afraid to put in the hard work. She’s certainly worked hard at Sentence Center over the past six (!) years.

Angela started in our Elementary Composition classes in 2021, where she quickly revealed a sharp wit behind that studious exterior. As her essays multiplied, she grew more confident using her voice both on the page and in class. We were impressed with how Angela played with figurative language and experimented with ways to make dynamic scenes. That creative bent meant that, on days when the students had the option to write fiction, Angela was a font of boundless ideas.

It’s no surprise then that, as we welcomed in 2022, Angela was one of the first students invited to join our brand-new Advanced Creative Writing class. Those “OGs,” as they came to call themselves, left an indelible mark on the curriculum. Fiction writing was here to stay at Sentence Center thanks to the enthusiasm of writers like Angela. She doesn’t just want to write fun stories; she wants those stories to have meaning. Whether capturing the war-torn reality of Ukrainian refugees, exploring the lives of nefarious shadows, or detailing the colorful adventures of a fox-dragon detective, she gives the reader stories that live and breathe.

While she’s been published in The Sentence Center Review several times, Angela has her sights set on new audiences. Now, pushing herself to finish a novel. We’ve been rooting for her from the start.

As Ms. Margaret’s notes from 2021 read: “Angela will be writing novels someday, and we will get to say we knew her when.”

Angela’s Advice for Young Writers:

“Write out what you want your story to say. The skeleton of a story is more important than the finer details. If you have amazing descriptions and imagery but no idea what your story is about, your skills are not going to be put to good use. Additionally, reading famous books similar to your story’s genre helps a lot. Their work is a stepping stone for you.”

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email.

We are pleased to announce that our summer Student Spotlight series is starting next week! Keep reading for some sage advice from Angela Tian, whose spotlight will be published next week.

A reminder: Our Summer Writing Program has just a few spots left!

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Angela’s Advice for Writers:

“Write out what you want your story to say. The skeleton of a story is more important than the finer details. If you have amazing descriptions and imagery but no idea what your story is about, your skills are not going to be put to good use. Additionally, reading famous books similar to your story’s genre helps a lot. Their work is a stepping stone for you.”

Our beloved Choose-Your-Own essays took us far and wide, from energetic pep rallies at school, to breakfast buffets in Japan, to redwood forests in Santa Cruz. Enjoy the wonderful excerpts from our writers below!

A few reminders:

• Our Summer Writing Programs are still open for enrollment

• Sign up for Mr. David’s awesome SF Walking Tour!

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

On Wednesday. it was to show your pride by wearing the brightest blue and yellow. We did our last spirt assembly of the year, which is when Kindergartners though 4th graders go to a spirit assembly where they play fun games.

• “Spirit Week” by Evelyn (4th grade)

Usually, for breakfast, we ate at a buffet. Sometimes we ate at a sushi place that had a rotating conveyor belt, like Kura Sushi. A really good food that we ate was one person grill your own meat.

• “Christmas Break” by Curtis (6th grade)

When I first got to UCSC, I was surprised by all of the nature that surrounded the campus. They were everywhere on the campus. Although UCSC is a place where there are a lot of animals, I didn’t expect that their specialty is marine biology.

• “UCSC Trip” by Hayato (8th grade)

May Birthdays!

Happiest of birthdays to these superb storytellers! May all your wishes come true!

🎉 Reyaan, Ashane, Izzy, Sid, Simran, Jack, Felix, Adam 🎉

Our missions consisted of opinion and argument essays about our favorite graphic novels and books, “cautionary” reviews, and thoughts on praise and reward for youth. Speaking of rewards… keep reading for a Sentence Center-exclusive, FREE walking tour through San Francisco with Mr. David!

A few reminders:

• Our Summer Writing Programs are still open for enrollment!

• Sentence Center will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25th.

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

The main character Ben goes on a vacation with all of his CIA agents in training (and a member of MI6) in Indonesia. When they arrive there, all the electricity on the planet goes out, but they don’t know that the one person who is causing all this mischief is the person hosting them in his vacation house.

• “Spy School” by Albert (4th grade)

Alien and its first sequel Aliens are classic movies that many people enjoy. Unfortunately, the second sequel ruins the ending of the second film, changes the world building in a negative way, and has the characters make bad decisions that don’t make sense.

• by Ava (6th grade)

Without knowing, coaches can give way too much positivity and don’t focus on what the student is doing wrong. For example, my tennis coach gives me a balance of both compliments and criticism. He clearly explains what I’m doing wrong and how to fix it, instead of always saying, “Good Job!”.

• by Felix (7th grade)

Mr. David’s SF Walking Tour!

Please join Mr. David on Saturday, May 30th at 2:00pm for a fascinating kid friendly true crime walking tour through historic Portsmouth Square and Chinatown in San Francisco! We will learn how, in the city’s early days, residents had to avoid the first gangs and the lawlessness of the Gold Rush era. We will also learn how the different Chinatown tongs (family associations), with the help of corrupt city officials, helped Chinatown become a city unto itself.

This is an in-person walking tour that will take you back in time to the 1800s when San Francisco at Portsmouth Square first became a city. Then journey into Chinatown’s alleys that have been covered over in time. The tour will last 1.5 to 2 hours. Please reach out if you have any questions or need more information.

RSVP here!

We honored the people and environments around us with informative and explainer essays about fantastic family members, admirable people, and safety policies at school.

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

Once, my iPad was charging, and Anuj was watching. I wanted to watch, so Anuj let me watch too! It was very kind and caring of him to do such a thing.

• “Anuj is A Great Cousin” by Adi (3rd grade)

My mom comes home at the end of a long work day every single day of the week except Thursdays, and cooks dinner for everyone. She makes dinner for everyone in my family even though she’s tired, and sometimes hasn’t had lunch.

• by Sasha (6th grade)

Bowman is a safe community where no individual carries their burden alone. It is shown by the deep connection between students and teachers... Older students also can help mentor younger ones, and the barrier between age groups is much lower.

• by Kyle (7th grade)

Bay Area Book Festival (May 30-31)

Check out the 12th Annual Bay Area Book Festival happening in Downtown Berkeley from May 30-31, and say hello to Ms. Ana working backstage :)

Full schedule here!

Our essays featured unexpected uses for napkins, plushies, and more! Writers took on narrative essays and personal statements about creativity at home, meaningful gifts, and memorable positive influences.

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

It took two days to finish painting the canvas. I was using different techniques such as dabbing a crumpled piece of napkin.

• “My Masterpiece”by Aliza (4th grade)

When we finished unwrapping it, it looked like a regular plushie but I noticed it had a zipper on it. We asked our parents what it did, and they told us that when we unzipped the zipper and pulled the stuff out, it becomes a jacket!

• “The Plushie that Turns into a Jacket” by Derek (6th grade)

What separated Neo Tennis from others was that it was extremely fast paced and had a unique game mechanic. Most importantly, the game wasn’t “pay to win,” which meant you didn’t have to spend real currency to progress at a good pace.

• “A New Game” by Preston (8th grade)

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌹

A very happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers in our Sentence Center community and beyond! We appreciate you!

We turned to these striking works of literature to find inspiration for our writing: “Why I Taught Myself to Procrastinate” by Adam Grant, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, and Dear Martin by Nic Stone.

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

My dog Luna is a an English yellow Labrador Retriever who loves to eat anything she finds. Whenever we say, “dinner,” she sprints to her food bowl and waits until we bring her food.

• by Graham (3rd grade)

Imagine looking out at the night sky looking for animals, when you see a raccoon appear! Raccoons are animals that have sharp teeth. Their eyes glow at night, and it is dangerous to pet them.

• by Arvaan (5th grade)

Should I have stayed home? I looked around at my friends, and tried to forget about my upcoming exam. We baked cookies, watched movies, and had a blast. The next day, when it was time to head back home, my stomach dropped. My test!

• “Sleepover or Study?” by Anais (8th grade)

Dear Poet 2026

In honor of National Poetry Month, students in Grades 5-12 are invited to write a letter to an award-winning poet!

https://poets.org/dearpoet

We sat back, relaxed, and developed opinion and argument essays about the best ways to beat boredom and our suggestions for school homework policies. Hope everyone got some rest during spring break!

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

I usually don’t know what I want to craft, so I just play it by ear. Pipe cleaners bend into a fabulous gift for Mother’s Day! Balls of tinfoil and scraps of paper turn into a kawaii cat!

• “I Craft so Hard, I Sweat Glitter” by Claire (4th grade)

When I was on a plane, I was so bored, just staring out into the abyss. I pulled up my favorite song to listen to, and I repeated the lyrics. Soon enough, I memorized the entire song, the lyrics and the music.

• “3 Ways To Beat Boredom!” by Anson (5th grade)

The homework I get in my classes is all relevant. It is just my class work with some extra instructions, so I can figure it out at home. An example of this is algebra homework from my math class.

• by Ryan (7th grade)

April Birthdays 🎂

Happiest of birthdays to these excellent essayists! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!

🎉 Milo, Mr. Chino, Wally, Randeep, Addison Tatro, Alton, Bella, Madison, Mila, Charlie, Oliver 🎉

We built and shaped informative and explainer essays about animals, large projects, and team sports. Speaking of building on our knowledge, the Summer Writing Program is still open for enrollment!

Happy Writing,

Ms. Ana

Questions about our programs or your writer? Reaching out to us is as easy as replying to this email. 

Some highlights from recent student writing:

Baby elephants are called calves. When baby elephants are born, they weigh about 200 pounds. They can walk when they are about two hours old!

• by Alia (3rd grade)

You can also add things to the legos that you already have and add things to make the car more realistic or cooler than before. Finally, you can also finish a lego set that you have started.

• “National Lego Day” by Tyler (6th grade)

Our feet point outward, making a star shape when we are all together. It’s a symbol to show we are stars and will do our best no matter what. My team and I tell each other that we will crush the other team and go for every ball.

• “Star-Shaped Feet and Rivalries” by Charlotte (7th grade)

Happy (Almost) Earth Day 🌎

Check out these Earth Day reading recommendations!