I live as the black widow's husband. I envy birds, For fear I never fly. -from "A Self Portrait" by Sarah Ray, 18 Twenty-six Northwest authors and illustrators, aged 12-20 present this unique anthology of essays, poems and stories: A woman named Margaret makes a bargain with a mythic Grim Hound known as Black Shuck. Neurotic author Ryan James Slugstache finds there is a price on his head-and that his books are predicting the future. Writing on topics as diverse as gum, sticky notes, sorrow, and dragons, these pieces contain: Striking Imagery: No one watches the blind moon rise With opal rivers in her eyes. -from "Eternity Unseen" by Sophia Babai, 20 Magic: The orbs were spheres floating above my hands, glowing in the dim light. They danced wildly, growing as I summoned more power from within me. -from "Life After Orphanage" by Brenna Smith, 14 Mystery: Sonya followed my gaze. "Be careful looking in it," she warned. "You might not like what you see." What? I turned to her. A knowing look was in her eyes. "It's more than just a mirror. It's a window to your soul." A window to your soul? -from "The Mirror" by Kayleen Gill, 18 Moral Questions: About five bodies slumped against the walls. Odin felt his chest thud. What had he done? These boys were almost men, but not quite-teenagers, gathered up by the latest draft probably. -from "Reprisals" by Alden Chatfield, 14 Humor: "Marry me " cried Prince Morg, First and Last Son of the Lord of Darkness and Bringer of the Armies of Dark Darkness. -from "The Legendary Adventures of Gorman Bloodkil" by George Liekly, 18 The Deeply Personal: The loudest relationship in my life is the one that has spent seventeen years in silence. -from "A Person Called Silence" by Sarah Ray, 18 Line drawings, interspersed throughout, complete the collection. An excellent resource for classrooms, homeschoolers, or to encourage other teen writers."