These hundreds of young authors present their reflections—no pun intended—through poetry. From nature and favorite pastimes to geopolitics, you never know what might come next. Perhaps a poem on cash register, maybe one about aliens, trips to the beach, or even Ukraine.

— Simon Traub-Epstein, International Library of Young Authors

From the foreword by Kim Scheiblauer: “Wasn't it Ray Bradbury who said about writing: ‘Jump off the cliff … make wings on the way down’? This was my starting point for the foreword to Branciforte Middle School's 2024 Poetry Anthology, Mirror, However, that was before I went deeply into each poem. I soon realized that these young poets are already brave and already willing to share their thoughts. The undertaking was easier for some more than others, but I came to see I had a lot to learn from them. ”