There was a crawfish I met at the crawfish boil at the park. It literally jumped out of the bag, and I saved it. It didn’t die. That was the beginning of my friendship with my IF, simply named Crawfish. The next day, he was at my house watching me sleep. He wears a hard red juicy shell and is edible. He has a lot of good seasoning, too, but we don’t talk about that because of course I wouldn’t ever eat Crawfish.
My IF lives in the sea when he’s not with me. He crawls and swims to get around, and he doesn’t move very fast. He can talk, but only I can hear. He loves my friends and family, but I don’t think they can see him. He never leaves my side, and he’s always protecting me. He’s my hero. He loves to swim in butter and water. If he’s not super careful and gets too excited, he bites. He doesn’t mean it. Once he bit me, but he apologized. I forgave him. I guess it’s the crawfish way. Every now and then when it happens, I get pretty furious because it hurts a little, but usually he is really loving, and we are best friends.
Our only disagreement is that I still like to eat other crawfish from time to time. It’s just a part of the culture in New Orleans. It makes my IF sad, though. As much as I love my IF, I eat my crawfish anyway in private. I dip it right in butter.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
With Paramount Pictures’ latest film IF as inspiration, children around the nation put pens to paper to bring their imaginary friends to life through writing. Together, 826 and Paramount Pictures published three books of youth writing inspired by the upcoming film, starring John Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Louis Gossett Jr., Jon Stewart, Awkwafina, Maya Rudolph, and Steve Carell.
See the lesson that inspired the writing here. Learn more about the project here.
by Ehmely, 826CHI
A crucial missive for anyone playing a high-stakes game of "Hide and Seek".
Raven, 826 New Orleans
You guessed it—an ode to cookies.
by Elian de Leon, 826NYC
A poem that focuses on color and translates it into sensory details.
by Keila S.O., 826michigan
An “I Am From” poem about growing up in Detroit.
by Muawiye, 826 Boston
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn that the act of inclusion begins with feeling empathy.
by Victor, 826 Valencia
An ode to Beans, Rice, and Chicken.
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 Alan, 826DC
This poem describes the thoughts of hunger.
by Dahlia-Rose, 826NYC
A field guide to Queen Anne’s Lace and a day in the life from a flower’s perspective.
by Camila R.G., Grade 4, 826LA
In this letter, a student asks the next U.S. President to help the homeless.
by Alfredo Enriquez-Aguilar, 826 Valencia
Have you ever wanted to care for a dragon? This poem teaches you how.
by Victor, 826 Valencia
This student gives thanks to ordinary objects in an ode.
by Abdikabir, age 8, 826 MSP
This poem uses the 1st person point-of-view to show what life looks like for a timber rattlesnake.
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.
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 Juna, 826michigan
A poem about taking the world in—and letting go.
Ren, 826 New Orleans
In this poem, a student explores what summer means to them.
by Aiden Spence, Grade 3, 826NYC
This poem describes all of the reasons why green is the best color.
by Levi, 826NYC
An origin story for healthy food, involving an epic battle between purveyor of high-fructose corn syrup, Ronald McDonald, and a heroic band of chefs.
by K.M., 826DC
In this piece, a student describes the challenges of being a superhero and reflects on their power to shine.
by Benny, 826 Boston
Inspired by Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this piece contains a series of journal entries and rules for a new sport by fictitious NASA operative Agent Smitty.
by Girod, 826 New Orleans
This celebratory poem uses similes to list all of the things the writer loves about themself.
by Maribel O.G., Grade 4, 826 Valencia
In this story, a student gets to know a new teacher and discovers that things are not always as they seem.
by Winta, 826DC
A concise but essential list of survival tips in the event of a sweet disaster.
by Giannyl Guerrero Cabral, 826 Boston
A practical list of ways anyone can stop bullying.
by Ava Tassinari, 826 Boston
A story about a bullying incident on the school bus.
by Natalie, 826 Valencia
A recipe for how to create a legendary rapper.
by Maria, 826 Valencia
This student gives thanks to ordinary objects in an ode.
by Rechab T., 826DC
This poem takes a surreal approach to describing a scene.
by Luis Cornejo, age 9, 826 Valencia
A student recalls the first time they saw a ghost.
by Keila, 826michigan
An "I A From" poem. English and Spanish versions included.
by Luana Anticona Nolasco, age 10, 826 Valencia
An eerie encounter with a shapeshifter after a grocery run.
by Will, 826michigan
A student imagines life in the future.
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.
by Jekaya, 826 Boston
A student reflects on what it takes to stand up to bullies and speak up for others.
by Alongkorn, 826 New Orleans
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn that unlike wasabi gummies, there is no expiration date for making amends.
by Quinn, 826CHI
A piece that explores the dynamic nature of love and might just become your next Valentine's Day card.
by Felix E., 826 Valencia
A student's fear is conquered after a startling discovery.
by Mohamed F., 826 MSP
This poem uses descriptive language to leave the reader clues about the animal it is depicting.
by Angel Flores Vazquez, 826 Valencia
This poem illustrates the effectiveness of descriptive language.
by Ciaran, 826NYC
A creative field guide to a Mourning Cloak butterfly who lives in New York City.
by Violeta, 826CHI
A monster's routine trip for tuna sandwich ingredients results in a broken arm!
by Brayan Luna, 826michigan
In this poem, a student vividly recounts watching The Undertaker perform a signature chokeslam on WrestleMania. Written in Spanish and English.
by Selene Freudenberg, 826michigan
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!
by Marie, 826CHI
A monkey named Chesley saves the animals of the forest from an evil Master!
by Jonathan Rivera Navarro, 826 Valencia
This poem celebrates and mourns a taco.
by Ivan Newton Ponce, 826 Valencia
This poem uses sensory details to describe the writer's favorite places.
by Yarely, 826michigan
A poem about grandma. English and Spanish versions included.
by Donald W., Grade 4, 826michigan
A student describes their very helpful imaginary friend.
by Zaid Rodriguez, 826 Valencia
This story immerses the reader in sensory details to tell the tale of what lies behind a mysterious door.
by Kayla, 826LA
This author reflects on an act of kindness to someone in need.
by Charlie, 826michigan
A very scientific retelling of why dinosaurs went extinct.
by Yaretzi, 826LA
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn how a thoughtful surprise can brighten a friend's day.
by Joshua, 826CHI
Alien monsters and a young boy forge a friendship over a dramatic series of events.
by Alexa, 826michigan
A poem that tastes like pepperoni pizza.
by Reyes, 826NYC
A creative field guide to the eastern gray squirrel.
by Noel, 826 Valencia
The creation story of a new school, reimagined to improve learning. (Paid for by Taylor Swift with free water bottles, an Italian restaurant, a movie theater, and a comfortable and safe environment.)
by Lux, 826NYC
A student reflects on their experiences with bullying and how they’ll take a stand in the future.
by Naomi, 826michigan
A (mostly) love letter to a kiwi with delicious imagery.
by Erriyanna, 826michigan
An epic poem about a younger sister. English and Spanish versions included.
by Lyric White, age 10, 826 Valencia
A magical mountain quest to save a mermaid.
by Christian, 826 New Orleans
This poem uses personification to introduce the audience to an olive and its cousin, Jeff.
by Faisa, age 9, 826 MSP
This poem writes from the perspective of a Prairie Shooting Star flower, detailing a day in its life.
by Alyssa, Kevin, Gustavo, Jocelyn, and Gabriel, 826LA
In science class, Victoria the Manticore makes fun of Carla the Witch for using magic, and a few bystanders step in to take a stand against bullying.
by Kevin, 826LA
A letter from the author to the author on appreciating both the unconventional and conventional parts of oneself.
by Antoni L., 826DC
In this poem, the author discusses their origins through metaphor.
by Olivia, 826NYC
An elegy for corn.
by Caleigh, 826LA
A letter offering a concise yet compelling list of all that awaits in LA.
by Ximena Torres, Age 9, 826 Valencia
A poem about the lessons your family can teach you.
by Lina, 826 Valencia
A mischievous recipe calling for 3 tablespoons of candy, 10 gallons of not laughing, and 100 gallons of mother.
by Emma D., Grade 4, 826LA
A plea to the next President to provide better access to mental health treatment for youth.
by Zari P., Grade 4, 826DC
A playful "I am" poem that explores what's possible.
by Damian A., Grade 4, 826CHI
A student describes their bear-y fun imaginary friend.
by Fatima, 826michigan
A list poem about a beautiful room and a beautiful family in both English and Spanish.
by Stefany Moreira, Vivi Small, Ana Rosas, Eugenia Rosas, and Jason Carrillo, 826NYC
This poem describes a warmer, tastier world run by young people.
by Marisol, 826michigan
A young girl's poem about all the life she sees in her yard. English and Spanish versions included.
by Johny, 826 LA
A riveting interview with Godzilla, Superman, and Dragonbolt—a cast of characters that will try to outdo one another before this TV special is up.