The winners have been announced!
The Story Continues…
Happy 150th Birthday Jack London!
A century and a half after his birth, London’s stories continue to spark the imaginations of new generations. In celebration of this milestone anniversary, middle school students from across the country were invited to step into the world of The Call of the Wild and explore a timeless question: what happens next?
This year’s prompt challenged young authors to reimagine the ending of this classic adventure tale. The result is a powerful testament to both London’s enduring literary legacy and the vibrant creativity of emerging writers today.
A total of 37 stories were submitted from across the United States—and one from the Northern Mariana Island of Tinian—reflecting a growing reach that mirrors London’s own spirit of exploration and adventure.
The level of talent this year was exceptional, and selecting just three winners proved no easy task. As one judge shared, “I am always so surprised at the writing ability of middle school students—wow!” Every participant should feel proud of their work and the imagination they brought to the page. Keep an eye out for the virtual awards ceremony coming in May.
(All stories are judged blindly by volunteers who do not work for Jack London Park Partners nor California State Parks.)
And now, we are proud to present the 2026 winners:
1st Place – The Second Calling by Graham Saxton Wagner, Langhorne, PA
2nd Place – The Roars of Flames and Dames by Gabriela Samuel, Coral Springs, FL
3rd Place – The Law Beyond Fang by Jimin Hong, Bayside, NY
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2025 winners:
1st place: Patches – Written by Hudson Wagner, 7th grade at Wagner Middle Homeschool, Langhorne, PA
2nd place: Tahoe to Yosemite– Aiyana Myers, 8th grade at Bidwell Jr. High School, Chico, CA
3rd place: Surviving the Wilderness – Written by Daniel Winward, 8th grade at St. Margaret’s School, Narberth, PA