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Grades level iconsGrades 4–5
Genre information iconFantasy/SciFi
Resource type iconWriting

Crawfish

by Jaceon B., Grade 5, 826 New Orleans
A student describes their butter covered imaginary friend.
About the Author

Jaceon Bee lives in New Orleans. He loves to play sports and he is good at writing. He wants to be an NFL player, and he really loves dogs.

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.

Download the Materials
Download Default PDF Icon Download Resource PDF: Crawfish

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Media
Narrative

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.

Grades 4–5
Writing
Mi Casa and The Skatepark

by Ivan Newton Ponce, 826 Valencia

Poetry

This poem uses sensory details to describe the writer's favorite places.

Grades 5–6
Writing
Life Before and After Becoming President

by Kelis, 826michigan

Informational
Narrative

This student describes what it would be like to become the first female president, campaigning on education for all, friendlier attitudes, more food and housing, and snow days!

Grade 5
Writing
Superheroes Rule

by Salimatou, 826NYC

Fantasy/SciFi
Narrative

Together, a princess with superpowers and an orphan-turned-sidekick must save the king and queen of kingdom Atarica!

Grades 3–4
Writing
Letter to my Grandma

by Ayelen C., Age 9, 826 Valencia

Memoir

A student's sweet letter to their grandmother.