This poet rejects judgement based on the color of one’s skin.

Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.

This narrative calls us to see the world through the perspectives of others.

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

A compilation of letters written by three students across one city filled with thoughts on books, sports, music, family, and musings on Valentine’s Day.

Glimpse into the mind of a student who considers artistic influences in her life.

This poem gives insight to what it's like growing up Black in America.

A student compellingly argues that immigrants deserve respect and to be free of discrimination.

In this poem, a student’s experiences in two countries meld together as she seeks out her true home.

This student’s powerful piece reveals the essence of racial injustice.

A poem about the complexity of love exchanged during the holidays.

In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.

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

The written word is a powerful tool, and this poem shares a few reasons why the author continues to write.

Liner notes that showcase the meaning and musicality of the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”

From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem expresses the realization that a cage is not the only obstacle to a bird's freedom.

A smile isn’t always what it seems.

A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.

One student explores their online persona and the lasting importance of conscientious social media practices.

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

Two students write to each other about where they came from, what they love, and a few mishaps along the way in an exchange of letters.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, 10th grader Tala asks essential workers what motivates them to keep going during these difficult times, offering her own views on hope for the future.

This poem personifies Earth as a mother coping with the brutalities of climate change.

A student reflects on his life, stemming from the life of his father.

Using dialogue and detailed description, this poet investigates whose voices are heard and whose voices are left behind when injustice occurs.

In this heartfelt exchange of letters, two students bond over food, videos games, and some scary adventures.

A student explores the paradox of how technology is used amongst teenagers.

A bilingual "I am" poem filled with conviction and courage.

A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.

In an exchange of letters, three students across one city share stories about where they came from and the places that matter most.

This poem uses a fundamental poetry technique, repetition, to share the writer's future plans.

In this poem, a student reflects on their roots and their desire to grow.

A student is lifted up by the dance of her ancestors.

When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.

Living in the digital world can create unwanted attachments, as one student laments.

A neighborhood ode filled with sights and sounds of the poet's street.

Two students across one city bond by writing letters to each other about the people they love most.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a sophomore at South High School in Minneapolis gives thanks to Children’s Hospital employees.

A student reflects on her origins to deconstruct social borders and seize her boundless future.

In this memoir, the narrator recounts the struggle of being the bigger person in a very small space.