My IF is named Freddy and he is twelve feet tall and five hundred pounds. He has brown skin with foot-long blue and black spikes for hair. Freddy wears a linen black T-shirt with white jeans and white Air Forces.
Freddy is nice and does things that are helpful, like helping me clean my room. He can also run really fast with his superspeed and he spends his day running up and down. But he also wants superstrength because he is very weak. He loves to eat boxes of pepperoni pizza every day.
Freddy and I met while I was riding my bike and Freddy was running around with his superspeed. I asked him, “What’s up?” and he followed me home. Now, he lives under my bed, but it’s annoying when he snores in the middle of night. He also knocks over the sugar in the pantry sometimes. For fun, we like to race, play 2K games, and watch movies.
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 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 Reyes, 826NYC
A creative field guide to the eastern gray squirrel.
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.
by Camila R.G., Grade 4, 826LA
In this letter, a student asks the next U.S. President to help the homeless.
by Caleigh, 826LA
A letter offering a concise yet compelling list of all that awaits in LA.
by Christian, 826 New Orleans
This poem uses personification to introduce the audience to an olive and its cousin, Jeff.
by Alexa, 826michigan
A poem that tastes like pepperoni pizza.
by Alfredo Enriquez-Aguilar, 826 Valencia
Have you ever wanted to care for a dragon? This poem teaches you how.
Dominick Contreras Rodriguez, age 9, 826 Valencia
A student traces his identity through food and family.
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 Olivia, 826NYC
An elegy for corn.
by Luis Cornejo, age 9, 826 Valencia
A student recalls the first time they saw a ghost.
Raven, 826 New Orleans
You guessed it—an ode to cookies.
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 Violeta, 826CHI
A monster's routine trip for tuna sandwich ingredients results in a broken arm!
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 Zari P., Grade 4, 826DC
A playful "I am" poem that explores what's possible.
by Antoni L., 826DC
In this poem, the author discusses their origins through metaphor.
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 Felix E., 826 Valencia
A student's fear is conquered after a startling discovery.
by Juna, 826michigan
A poem about taking the world in—and letting go.
Roberto Misael Aguilera, age 9, 826 Valencia
Discover the fearful T-Rex Koala--koala by day, monster by night!
by Maria, 826 Valencia
This student gives thanks to ordinary objects in an ode.
by Naomi, 826michigan
A (mostly) love letter to a kiwi with delicious imagery.
by Jonathan Rivera Navarro, 826 Valencia
This poem celebrates and mourns a taco.
by Fatima, 826michigan
A list poem about a beautiful room and a beautiful family in both English and Spanish.
by Jekaya, 826 Boston
A student reflects on what it takes to stand up to bullies and speak up for others.
by Jaceon B., Grade 4, 826 New Orleans
A student describes their butter covered imaginary friend.
by Ehmely, 826CHI
A crucial missive for anyone playing a high-stakes game of "Hide and Seek".
by Marie, 826CHI
A monkey named Chesley saves the animals of the forest from an evil Master!
by Emma D., Grade 4, 826LA
A plea to the next President to provide better access to mental health treatment for youth.
by Natalie, 826 Valencia
A recipe for how to create a legendary rapper.
by Ayelen C., Age 9, 826 Valencia
A student's sweet letter to their grandmother.
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 Kayla, 826LA
This author reflects on an act of kindness to someone in need.
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 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 Hope L.C., Age 10, 826DC
A silly story about dragon fruits -- no wait, fruit dragons!
by Giannyl Guerrero Cabral, 826 Boston
A practical list of ways anyone can stop bullying.
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 Angel Flores Vazquez, 826 Valencia
This poem illustrates the effectiveness of descriptive language.
by Damian A., Grade 4, 826CHI
A student describes their bear-y fun imaginary friend.
by Keila, 826michigan
An "I A From" poem. English and Spanish versions included.
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 Victor, 826 Valencia
This student gives thanks to ordinary objects in an ode.
by Quinn, 826CHI
A piece that explores the dynamic nature of love and might just become your next Valentine's Day card.
by Ximena Torres, Age 9, 826 Valencia
A poem about the lessons your family can teach you.
by Elian de Leon, 826NYC
A poem that focuses on color and translates it into sensory details.
by Ava Tassinari, 826 Boston
A story about a bullying incident on the school bus.
by Alan, 826DC
This poem describes the thoughts of hunger.
by Victor, 826 Valencia
An ode to Beans, Rice, and Chicken.
by Ciaran, 826NYC
A creative field guide to a Mourning Cloak butterfly who lives in New York City.
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.
Ren, 826 New Orleans
In this poem, a student explores what summer means to them.
by Joshua, 826CHI
Alien monsters and a young boy forge a friendship over a dramatic series of events.
by Mohamed F., 826 MSP
This poem uses descriptive language to leave the reader clues about the animal it is depicting.
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 Lina, 826 Valencia
A mischievous recipe calling for 3 tablespoons of candy, 10 gallons of not laughing, and 100 gallons of mother.
by Winta, 826DC
A concise but essential list of survival tips in the event of a sweet disaster.
by Lux, 826NYC
A student reflects on their experiences with bullying and how they’ll take a stand in the future.
by Erriyanna, 826michigan
An epic poem about a younger sister. English and Spanish versions included.
by Girod, 826 New Orleans
This celebratory poem uses similes to list all of the things the writer loves about themself.
by Aiden Spence, Grade 3, 826NYC
This poem describes all of the reasons why green is the best color.
by Dahlia-Rose, 826NYC
A field guide to Queen Anne’s Lace and a day in the life from a flower’s perspective.
by Yarely, 826michigan
A poem about grandma. English and Spanish versions included.
by Will, 826michigan
A student imagines life in the future.
by Lyric White, age 10, 826 Valencia
A magical mountain quest to save a mermaid.
by Rechab T., 826DC
This poem takes a surreal approach to describing a scene.
by Keila S.O., 826michigan
An “I Am From” poem about growing up in Detroit.
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 Kevin, 826LA
A letter from the author to the author on appreciating both the unconventional and conventional parts of oneself.
Nasir Farmer, age 8, 826 Boston
Our protagonist attempts to evade a boogieman invasion.
by Charlie, 826michigan
A very scientific retelling of why dinosaurs went extinct.
by Ivan Newton Ponce, 826 Valencia
This poem uses sensory details to describe the writer's favorite places.
by Marisol, 826michigan
A young girl's poem about all the life she sees in her yard. English and Spanish versions included.
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 K.M., 826DC
In this piece, a student describes the challenges of being a superhero and reflects on their power to shine.
Nur Schlenker, age 10, 826 Valencia
A student paints two images, one of Halloween night, and the second of home.
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 Zaid Rodriguez, 826 Valencia
This story immerses the reader in sensory details to tell the tale of what lies behind a mysterious door.
by Luana Anticona Nolasco, age 10, 826 Valencia
An eerie encounter with a shapeshifter after a grocery run.
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 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.