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Brilliant Stories

826 believes in amplifying and publishing youth voices. Browse our student writing collections for pieces that will inspire you and your students. Our students’ words will make you smile, think, sigh, cry so hard you laugh, and laugh so much you cry. Celebrate and honor their stories with us!
The Sky
by Elsie, Grade 5, 826 New Orleans
Animal Poem
by Mohamed F., 826 MSP
My Black
by Keyshana, Grade 11, 826CHI
Funning
by Zari P., Grade 4, 826DC
Worried
by Kevin J. Ortiz, 826DC
Stuffed Crust
by Victor, 826 Valencia
Bryan
by Elsy, 826LA
BLM
by Chelsea, 826NYC

Find Student Writing

Our writing collections feature student writing on diverse topics from diverse authors. Browse, enjoy, and discover representative mentor texts to inspire your students to write. Find more student writing in our RESOURCE LIBRARY.

Black Lives Matter

Poems and personal narratives that celebrate Black voices

Grades 11–12
Writing
My Black
by Keyshana, Grade 11, 826CHI

Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.

Poetry

"My Black is not afraid anymore./My Black is stronger than before./My Black are leaders, believers, and dreamers./My Black will take no more,/And for that, we will soar."

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Grades 11–12
Writing
Wrong Black Boy
by Oriel, 826NYC

In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.

Poetry

"Will my brother make it home tonight?/Or will he be caught/at the wrong place/at the wrong time?/Just another Donnell Thompson."

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Grades 7–8
Writing
Who I Am
by Duanté, 826 Valencia

A personal narrative about race and identity.

Poetry

"When my mom picked me up, I jumped in our long black car and told her what happened and her first response was, 'I don’t care what any of those kids say. You’re black, don’t let nobody tell you nothin’ different.'"

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Grades 9–12
Writing
Racial Autobiography
by Bianca Morcho, 826 MSP

A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Memoir
Narrative

"While Goerge Floyd's death was tragic, it shouldn’t just be tragic to me because I’m Black. I firmly believe that as a human it should be tragic to see a fellow human die in such a horrible way. It felt like I was expected to give out the mystical “not racist” approval stamp."

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Grades 9–12
Writing
The Achilles Heel
by Salma Khalif, 826 MSP

A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.

Poetry

"It's ok, Black Women, it's okay./If your counterparts won't protect you,/Then I will./Let go of the invisible burden on your shoulder/And rest on me."

VIEW
Grade 8
Writing
Chicago Is My Voice
by Kiara, 826CHI

In this personal narrative, a student explores growing up young and black in Chicago.

Memoir
Narrative

"For me, it’s hard to be a young black girl. I don’t feel safe around people that make fun of my skin color and don’t know who I truly am. Nowadays, I want to relive my younger days when I didn’t have to worry as much. I was free to love everything. Getting older, I notice everything. I feel more responsible and alone."

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Amplifying AAPI Voices

Inspiration from AAPI student authors across the 826 Network

Grades 9–10
Writing
Dandelion
by Elizabeth W, 826 Valencia

Even though we may look different, we remain united with one another.

Poetry

"A white dandelion in a field of flowers./The pale glow that stands out/and without a doubt,/I’m different."

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Grades 4–5
Writing
Pumpkin Pie!!!
by Naomi Ku, Grade 6, 826LA

An ode to pumpkin pie!!!

Poetry

"Oh, the smell when you're baking. It reminds me of fall!"

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Grade 11
Writing
We are not alone
by Jeremy Hsiao, 826 National

This poem reminds activists that "to change everything, we need everyone."

Poetry

"To change everything, we need everyone. chanted as crowds of people roll through the space between coasts"

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Grade 8
Writing
My Flight
by Soeun Lee, Grade 8, Tenafly, New Jersey

In this poem, a student observes a dove's flight and reflects on their ability to soar.

Poetry

"The dove jumps out into the open,/jumping into a real life full of wonders,/takes off,/and flies."

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Grades 9–12
Writing
This Is Me
by Lucas Hu, 826 Boston

A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition

Poetry

"In this new mysterious land/Confused by everything and its native language/I disguised myself in different categories of people/Gaining new knowledge of the world"

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Grades 10–12
Writing
I'm Not Home But I Am
by Sally Phan, 826 Boston

A memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.

Memoir
Narrative

"All I could remember was eating strawberries in front of my aunt’s house, my cousins braiding my hair, drinking a mango smoothie, and some random memories that come and go in pieces."

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Grades 8–10
Videos
1947
by Prianna Kumar Singhannia, Grade 8

A chilling retelling of a major historical event

Poetry

"There were 1 million deaths/Before there was again calm/But those who lived will never forget"

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Mental Health Matters

A collection that shows how students use writing to support their mental health

Grade 2
Writing
When You're Frustrated
by by Aidan, 826michigan

A student reflects on how to bounce back from frustration.

Narrative

"Just breathe, relax, and stay calm and focus."

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Grade 8
Writing
Voices
by by Isabel, 826 Boston

This poem features a student battling with the voices constricting her freedom.

Poetry

"Drama causes pain/Had too much pain in/my life already"

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Grades 10–11
Writing
Sunny Smiles
by by Sergio M, 826 Valencia

A smile isn’t always what it seems.

Narrative
Poetry

"The sun is out, but the words written are done in the dark/The smiles are out, but the faces showing them all fall apart"

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Grades 5–6
Writing
The Thing That Changes My Life
by by Liliana, 826DC

This student’s heartbreaking personal narrative describes what it can feel like to have your parents get divorced.

Memoir
Narrative

"I feel like somebody stabbed my heart, or like somebody said something mean to me, and everyone started to laugh."

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Grade 5
Writing
The Sky
by by Elsie, 826 New Orleans

In this poem, a student celebrates individuality.

Poetry

"If I could be anything I’d choose to be the sky Sitting all by myself And watching birds fly"

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Grades 6–8
Writing
Laughter Means You're Alive
by by 826NYC students

This collaborative poem explores the many sides and senses of laughter.

Poetry

"Laughter is the feeling that/Can pick you up/On your darkest days"

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Writing for Change

Students using writing to advocate for causes they care about.

Grades 3–5, 9–12
Writing
The Girl With the Sweater
by Jekaya, 826 Boston

A student reflects on what it takes to stand up to bullies and speak up for others.

Narrative

"My mom and I were on a crowded bus and I saw a girl named Penny. She was wearing a sweater that had a big eye on it and it was moving. Yes, it was a googly eye. Penny was also getting bullied by three big boys and I wondered, “Should I go say something?”

VIEW
Grades 6–7
Writing
The Fight for Civil Rights in the Bathroom
by Satis, 826 Valencia

A student argues for the importance of transgender rights in response to current events.

Informational
Persuasive

"Can you imagine being picked on or verbally or physically abused in the bathroom? Can you imagine going to the opposite one because the law forced you to? This is a reality for many people in America."

VIEW
Grades 9–12
Writing
Giving Shelter
by Steysi Hailee, 826LA

A student reflects on a small moment and single sacrifice that transformed her outlook on giving.

Narrative

"As I walked to my house, I kept remembering the man’s expression and how I felt fulfilled by doing something good for someone without expecting any benefits. I found myself skipping and jumping in the rain, enjoying the feeling that I had and embracing the fact that people who do good feel good."

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Grades 9–10
Writing
The Rez Girls Are Powerful
by Navayah, 826 MSP

Through redefining a label, a student reclaims a piece of their identity.

Poetry

"At my last school we had to have a partner. So this girl, her skin was way lighter than me. She had to work with me but she didn’t want to."

VIEW
Grades 1–3, 9–10
Writing
The Day I Cheered My Friend Up
by Sherilyn, 826LA

A story about what to do when one witnesses bullying.

Narrative

"Kindness is important because it could make someone feel really happy when they are sad. If you want to be friends then ask instead of bullying someone to get her attention because it is more kind."

VIEW
Grade 6
Writing
Save the Penguins, Save Ourselves
by Jacore, 826 Valencia

An intriguing and educational essay discussing environmental consciousness and the devastating effects of global warming.

Informational

"Why should kids care about global warming? How will global warming affect us? How does what we do affect global warming? And how do we fix it?"

VIEW
“It feels good to have my voice out there and that I have left a mark on this world, even if it's small.”
- Brandon R.
Grade 11, 826LA
“I think the biggest impact it has had on me is the realization that other people see the writing I do. Other people can also refer to me as a writer, and it's not just me. It makes me want to improve and do better.”
- Bless A.
Grade 9, 826 Boston
“It always feels like an honor when someone shares their writing because writing is a physical form of somebody's vulnerability and it's special to see that when I get the chance.”
- Justis P.
Grade 9, 826 Boston
“[Being published is important] because our voices need to be forefronted if we want to reimagine this world.”
- Anton J.
Grade 12, 826 MSP

Fill Your Bookshelf

When we publish our students’ writing, something magical happens. Students see their ideas reflected in something tangible and begin to see themselves as authors with words worth reading. See the magic in action by checking out 826-published books that will feel right at home on any bookshelf.

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