Good morning, Pop Fans!

Today’s story is a bittersweet look at growing up by our author Dan Nielsen, who writes from the shores of the great Lake Michigan: Kindergarten (1962).

It was the first day of school. As the final bell neared, Mrs. Sawyer divided the class into those with rides and those walking home. On the chalkboard, she’d drawn a map of the neighborhood with street names and familiar landmarks.

Each walking child used a pointer to show their route home, and at each intersection recited the rules for safely crossing a street. Those living closest to each other were put into buddy groups. Billy and Dave and Sharon made up one such group.

Catch Dan’s work, as well as previously featured stories, on our Featured Stories page! Enjoy!

** ALSO check out Karl’s take on the weirdness behind The Guardian’s and The New York Times Book Review’s simultaneous plugs for esteemed establishment writer Hilary Mantel @ NewPopLitInteractive!**