Virginia Hamilton: Stories Can Build Bridges
As a young reader, Virginia Hamilton found comfort in books long before she became one of America's most celebrated children's authors. She believed stories could help people understand one another, especially those who felt different or overlooked.
Throughout her career, she wrote books that gave young readers the chance to see themselves — and others — with fresh eyes. Like the younger children gathering around the campfire, her readers discovered that stories aren't just something we consume. Stories bring people together. Stories help us belong.
Create Your Own Option C
Study or quit. Fit in or stand out. Win or lose. Agree or disagree. This week's challenge: prove that life is rarely that simple. Complete the steps below and save your answers to earn The Trailblazer badge for your backpack.
- Think of one situation where you feel stuck between two choices.
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Write down the two obvious options:
- Now brainstorm at least five more possibilities — don't worry if some seem unrealistic or silly. The goal is to stretch your thinking before deciding what to do.
- Choose one new possibility and write your breakthrough Option C:
Ask yourself
🔥 Around the Fire
Step Away From the Problem
Sometimes the best thinking happens when we step away from the problem entirely.
🎧 Listen — "What a Wonderful World"
Louis Armstrong. As you listen, pay attention to the small details in the lyrics — reminders that wonder often hides in ordinary moments.
Video blocked on a school or family network? Try opening it directly:
Just Be Honest
"The important thing is not to stop questioning."
Think about a time when the choices you were given didn't feel right.
- 💭 What made them feel wrong?
- 💭 If you could go back, what other possibilities might have existed?
- 💭 Is there an "Option C" waiting for you in a situation you're facing right now?
There are no right or wrong answers. Just be honest.
📝 Open the reflection journal template →Keep Going
📚 Read
🎥 Watch & 🎧 Listen More
Creative Problem-Solving Playlist
A curated playlist on creative problem-solving.
🕹️ "Choose Your Own Option C" activity
Watch this space — an interactive Option C activity is on its way.
🎧 Full Quest playlist
Watch this space for the full Quest playlist.
💬 Talk About It
You Don't Have to Explore Alone
Every Rebel needs people to learn with, not just content to learn from. Join the wait-list for a community where we'll go deep with discussion prompts, collaborative challenges, peer feedback activities, and a safe place to ask questions, teach others, and keep growing with fellow learners around the world.
The INTL Edu community isn't open yet — join the wait-list and we'll let you know the moment it launches.
Join the wait-list →The Trailblazer
You looked beyond the choices you were given. You discovered that sometimes the most meaningful path isn't already waiting for you. Sometimes… you create it.
Wear this badge as a reminder: respectful rebels don't simply choose between the options they're offered. They imagine possibilities others haven't noticed yet.
Complete the Rebel Quest above and save your answers to add it to your backpack.
🎒 View my backpack →The Fire Is Still Burning
Every great adventure begins with a question. Which one will you explore next?
When you're ready, jump back into the book to choose your next quest.