Grade 4
Memoir, NarrativeWritingHi, my name is Ava! You should know that my favorite food is pasta. It’s delicious. I have a few special skills: I horseback ride and draw. Not many people know that I’m shy. I talk very quietly to people.
It was a cold winter day. I was walking down the stairs into the auditorium. I almost tripped, but I was focusing on my homework. In my head I was saying, “Ten times two is 20 so 20 plus 39 equals 59.”
“All the buses are here!” yelled Ms. Stacy.
Lane, Andrea, Donna, and I all walked to our bus. As the bus doors opened we all squished through the door. We took the first two seats. We sat down and sank into the bench on the bus. Then I heard Donna say, “I’m done with my homework.”
“Me too,” I said.
Lane and Andrea were still working, so me and Donna chatted quietly.
A few moments later, Andrea and Lane unzipped their bags and put their paperwork away. Then, for some reason, Donna blurted out, “Hey, guys what clothes size are you?” Everybody said medium or small. Well, I didn’t say anything. I chose not to tell. Our bus ride continued slowly. Nobody talked. I pretended that the conversation did not happen.
Once we were super close to our stop, right out of the blue, Donna said one of the rudest words ever and started comparing everyone’s weight again. She said she and Lane were skinny and Andrea was medium. Then, she looked at me and said, “Not to be rude, but you’re sort of FAT.”
My brain was like a blank piece of paper. Why would she say that? I felt tears swelling up in my eyes. Then I heard the door squeak open. I quickly filed off the bus and walked slightly ahead of everybody. I felt hot tears run down my face. Andrea sped up and caught up to me. I quickly wiped away my tears. She was now right next to me. Andrea put her hand on my shoulder and asked, “Hey, are you okay?” I didn’t know how to answer. I just said, “I’m fine.” I didn’t tell anyone about the situation, not even my parents.
A month later the incident itched all the way out. I finally decided to tell my mom everything. She was glad I told her. I don’t know what happened to Donna, but a few days later she apologized. We hugged and now I’m so glad we’re friends.
I look back on this moment and remember that horrifying feeling. I get a little chill every time I think of it. I hope it never happens again.
by Marie, 826CHI
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Ms. Lowe’s Fourth Grade Class at Roberto Clemente Learning Academy in Detroit, Michigan
An example of a "Neighborhood Poem" created as a class as part of 826Michigan's Rare Air/Aire Raro Young Authors' Book Project.
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Dominick Contreras Rodriguez, age 9, 826 Valencia
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Nasir Farmer, Age 8, 826 Boston
Our protagonist attempts to evade a boogieman invasion.
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A poem about grandma. English and Spanish versions included.
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A student describes their butter covered imaginary friend.
by Damian A., Grade 4, 826CHI
A student describes their bear-y fun imaginary friend.
by Joshua, 826CHI
Alien monsters and a young boy forge a friendship over a dramatic series of events.
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A magical mountain quest to save a mermaid.
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This poem celebrates and mourns a taco.
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A poem about the lessons your family can teach you.
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This author reflects on an act of kindness to someone in need.
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This poem writes from the perspective of a Prairie Shooting Star flower, detailing a day in its life.
by Clara, 826 Valencia
A detailed design for a new school that students would love, complete with outdoor spaces for tennis and ice-skating!
by L.M., 826CHI
The story of a lonely ghost named Annabeth, a plan to kidnap children on Halloween, and an unlikely encounter that reveals the true nature of friendship.
by Aiden Spence, Grade 3, 826NYC
This poem describes all of the reasons why green is the best color.
by Elian de Leon, 826NYC
A poem that focuses on color and translates it into sensory details.
by Caleigh, 826LA
A letter offering a concise yet compelling list of all that awaits in LA.
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A silly story about dragon fruits -- no wait, fruit dragons!
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An “I Am From” poem about growing up in Detroit.
by K.M., 826DC
In this piece, a student describes the challenges of being a superhero and reflects on their power to shine.
by Vanessa, 826CHI
A story about a mermaid named Luna and the epic battle to save Benzo, a rainbow-colored kingdom, using the power of love.
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This story immerses the reader in sensory details to tell the tale of what lies behind a mysterious door.
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A mischievous recipe calling for 3 tablespoons of candy, 10 gallons of not laughing, and 100 gallons of mother.
Nur Schlenker, Age 10, 826 Valencia
A student paints two images, one of Halloween night, and the second of home.
by Muawiye, 826 Boston
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Discover the fearful T-Rex Koala--koala by day, monster by night!
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A letter from the author to the author on appreciating both the unconventional and conventional parts of oneself.
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This hero’s journey leads an unlikely suspect into a land of books with a plot-disrupting villain who must be destroyed in order to save a multitude of characters, including Harry Potter!
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A monster's routine trip for tuna sandwich ingredients results in a broken arm!
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A student's fear is conquered after a startling discovery.
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A recipe for how to create a legendary rapper.
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You guessed it—an ode to cookies.
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A practical list of ways anyone can stop bullying.
by Alfredo Enriquez-Aguilar, 826 Valencia
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An elegy for corn.
by Antoni L., 826DC
In this poem, the author discusses their origins through metaphor.
by Reyes, 826NYC
A creative field guide to the eastern gray squirrel.
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