Grade 8
NarrativeWritingViolet Roberts is thirteen and an eighth grader at Eliot-Hine in Washington, D.C. She enjoys watching anime, writing, and playing the bass as well as the trombone. She loves playing and listening to music because it’s a great way for her to focus while writing. She loves writing because it’s a great way for her to express herself!
Tying your shoes in the dark is hard, but you eventually get used to it.
I tie my shoes slowly, the same way I did when I first learned, with the bunny ears and everything. You memorize how to do it after repeating it every night. I stand up and check that I have everything. Phone? Yeah. Headphones? I pick them up from the kitchen counter and put them around my neck. Keys? I reach in the pocket of my hoodie and take them out, checking that they’re the right ones. Okay, check. I look at the time on my phone. It’s 3 a.m., the time I leave every night. I listen for footsteps coming down the stairs, but I don’t hear anything.
The first time I snuck out, it was because I had so much stress building up from different things. I was getting bad grades, ignoring my mental health, and doing a lot of other things that were generally frowned upon by people. My house was making me feel so cooped up and trapped, so one night, I had to take a break. Just an hour outside at night helped me calm down, and I’ve been doing it almost every day since. My grades went up, I felt less depressed and overwhelmed, my life generally improved in so many areas. It just made me feel so calm.
When I don’t hear anyone coming down the stairs, I pull my headphones over my ears and try to find something to play. I always try to play a playlist or artist that fits the vibe of the night. My music taste is pretty erratic; it ranges from soundtracks, to Mitski, to the Beatles, to literally anything. I eventually press Shuffle on my favorite playlist, open the door, and step into my back “yard.” I say “yard” because it’s more like a small slab of concrete, only big enough for us to park our car on. As I walk down my back steps, the opening to “Bluebird” by Beach House starts playing, and I shove my phone in my pocket with my keys. I cross the road behind my house, then pass a few buildings until I get to the field.
The field is just a random patch of grass that people sometimes take their dogs to when they don’t feel like walking them. It’s pretty small but big enough that I get tired running across it. By the time I reach the other side, “Fireworks” by Mitski has started playing in my headphones. The field is gated in on three sides, with the fourth side bordered by a brick wall. It’s not a very big wall, so I climb over it pretty easily. I jump down and land on the other side, where the dirt makes a little mushroom cloud at my feet. I turn around to face a road flanking the wall, barely lit by the singular streetlight and the stars. A car drives by, which is pretty rare for this road, but as soon as it’s out of sight, I cross.
On the other side of the road are the woods. There’s a trail going straight into them that used to be for cars, but it’s too worn and overgrown, so you can only take it by foot. The woods are pretty dark, but I use my phone to light up the trail. The walk down the trail isn’t very long, only like five minutes, and it’s mostly downhill. Halfway down, the song changes to “Night Time” by Superorganism—which is pretty high-energy but a great song, so I don’t really mind. I know I’m getting close to the end when I see a sign nailed to a tree saying that there’s a dead end ahead. I turn off my flashlight and shove my phone in my pocket again as the trees clear out and stars start to fill the sky. Ahead of me is a grass clearing and then a drop. About five feet from where the trees end, there’s a cliffside that I would definitely die from if I fell off, but I never do.
The thought of death has always been interesting to me. Not in a creepy way or anything, but more like, Where do we go? How does it feel? Whether I knew it or not, I’ve come close to death so many times, like I’m doing now sitting near this cliff. But I’ve come to this cliffside so many times, it only feels natural to sit with my legs hanging over the edge and lean back. The cliffside drops about sixty feet, and then underneath, a huge city spreads out so far that I can’t see all of it. The city is about a twenty- minute drive from my house, so other than the road behind me, no cars even come close to my clearing. “Jerusalem, New York, Berlin” by Vampire Weekend starts playing, so I turn the volume all the way up and put my headphones around my neck. I check the time on my phone, and it’s 3:10. I set it face down next to me and take in my surroundings.
I come here every night, but this place never makes me feel bored or anything but calm, content, and happy in general. I close my eyes and sit for another hour. As my playlist ends, I stand up, shuffle the Beatles, and walk back into the woods.
PLAYLIST
UNBOUND: The Power and Possibility of Young Writers’ Emotions began in the fall of 2024, when librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invited young people across the country to write about their feelings, their way. Together, we shared writing prompts and activities for students in grades K–12 to explore the depth and complexity of their emotions through storytelling. No feeling was too big or too small. No genre was off-limits. Writing has long been a way for young people to make sense of the world, to capture what matters to them, and to imagine new possibilities. This anthology is a window into how young people are feeling right now. Joy, grief, rage, love—all of it belongs here and in this moment. We invite you to read these pages as they were written: with an open heart, brave and unbound.
by Christopher, Bryan, & Jahir, 826CHI
In an exchange of letters, three students across one city share stories about where they came from and the places that matter most.
by Roger, 826 Valencia
An essay in English and Spanish that traces connections between two movements in modern American history for the rights of people of color.
by 826NYC students Ash Doliber, Sidney Edelson, Ella Holland, Mavis Lu, Justin Nemeroff, Bird Rzepniewski, and Isabella Wu
This collaborative poem explores the many sides and senses of laughter.
by Duanté, 826 Valencia
A personal narrative about race and identity.
by Jason, 826 Valencia
A student reports on the death of a college student from Bernal Heights, San Francisco, who neighbors believe was killed due to racial profiling.
by Jack, 826 Valencia
An argument against the overconsumption of sugar outlines the ways its effects are anything but sweet.
by Natalie, 826CHI
Weaving together Spanish and English, a student shares the discovery of a family secret.
by David, 826CHI
A student writes about the smell, taste, and pace of their neighborhood.
by Jin, 826LA
This student says thank you to her Mom, her hero, for a life full love and beef noodles!
by Luis, 826LA
This student writes a letter to a hero with a sweet double kick: Jackie Chan!
by Inge S., Age 13, 826CHI
Part riddle, part observations, this poem leaves the reader with big things to think about.
by Iliana, 826CHI
A student searches for answers in their community.
by Crystal Colorado, Age 12, 826 Valencia
This poem will take you to the beach and make you wonder if it was all a dream.
by Jamie, 826 Valencia
A metaphorical poem about frustrations, from homework to homelessness.
by Curtis, 826michigan
A rhyming (inverse) ode to a very irritating noise.
by Isabel, 826 Boston
From the 826 National anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem features a student battling with the voices constricting her freedom.
by Jason, 826michigan
Making bottle flipping look like child's play, this piece outlines rules for the new, competitive Fantasy Sport "Pencils".
by David & Daniel, 826CHI
In this heartfelt exchange of letters, two students bond over food, videos games, and some scary adventures.
by Khloe Fewster, 826 Valencia
This poem uses repetition to give advice for when you're feeling unsure of yourself.
by Renée, 826NYC
A persuasive letter detailing to the recipient the pointlessness of writing a persuasive letter. A helpful example for reluctant writers.
by Sharon, 826CHI
A memoir about finding true friendship.
by Arielle B., Grade 8
This poem invites readers to remember that people are often going through more than choose to show.
by Luis, 826LA
A rap song dedicated to the Marvel comic writer Stan Lee and his inspired creations like the Hulk, Deadpool, Iron Man, and The Fantastic Four.
by Alondra, 826CHI
An epic story of a princess who seeks acceptance among the stars.
by Fahima Dahir, 826 MSP
A poem about the strength and limitations of language and shared culture.
by Emmanuel J., 826NYC
An avid basketball fan discusses the rise of the Golden State Warriors through its individual players.
by Lola, 826 Valencia
A poem that portrays the arc of a love story told through the gift of a cigarette lighter.
by Anjum, 826CHI
A shout-out poem to some things missed (Hyderabad) and celebrated (Mom).
by Victor, 826CHI
An epic memoir about an epic volleyball match! Who will win: the teachers or the students?
by Shayne Williams
Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.
by Piya, 826 Valencia
A demand to the public stop to buying ivory that seeks to explain the devastating effects of poaching on elephant and rhino populations.
by Byanna & Kayla, 826CHI
Two students across one city bond by writing letters to each other about the people they love most.
by William, 826LA
A teen discovers the power of books to transport him to another world, and shares his excitement about becoming a published author.
by Kiara, 826CHI
In this personal narrative, a student explores growing up young and black in Chicago.
by Yvanna Bodiana, Age 13, 826 Valencia
A reflection on freedom and Black resilience in the face of opposition.
by Laila, 826CHI
A memoir about losing a parent—and a community’s support.
by Jabari, Grade 8, 826 Valencia
A poem about wanting more from life.
by Reuben & Giselle, 826CHI
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.
by Ella, 826 Valencia
A persuasive argument for co-ed teams in the face of gender stereotypes, supported by results from primary research conducted by the author.
by Cora B., Grade 8
This narrative uses nature imagery, to help the reader walk through a day in the speaker's shoes
by Chelsea, 826NYC
An acrostic poem about the Black Lives Matter movement.
by Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
Amara, 826 New Orleans
An ode celebrating an important figure in this student’s life.
by Diego, 826CHI
On the funniest day of this student’s life…
by Isabella C., Age 13, 826 Valencia
The misadventures of finding a missing wallet.
by Djeneba Soumaoro, 826michigan
A student’s manifesto!
by Caroline, 826 Valencia
A student explores U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe’s decision to kneel in protest during the national anthem.
by Itzel Medina Luna, 826 Valencia
In this poem from the 826 National anthology, Poets in Revolt!, a student walks through her neighborhood searching for hidden stories.
by Eva, 826 Valencia
A student celebrates the journey of discovering whom to love.
by Rafael, 826CHI
A student remembers an afternoon adventure around town and explores what Chicago and community mean to him.
by Angel, 826CHI
A student writes about the transformative experience of changing schools.
by Calvin, 826michigan
A student professes love—to a jalapeño!
by Luke, 826 Valencia
An essay shared in English and Spanish discusses the effects of global warming on penguins and their source of nutrients, krill.
by Vivian, 826CHI
A narrative about loving to run—and learning to never quit!
by Tylor, 826NYC
A lean but essential checklist for readers to determine if they are awake.
by Judethan Garfias Muñoz, Grade 8, 826 Valencia
This loving poem uses descriptive language to pay tribute to the writer's family.
by Elizabeth W., 826 Valencia
A persuasive piece for women and girls to unite and cultivate a culture of body image positivity.
by Kaitlyn, 826NYC
A middle school student firmly protests the flavor and quality of her school’s lunches.
by Xaria, 826 Valencia
An argument against the wage gap that prevails in the U.S. and across the globe.
by Andy, 826CHI
In this memoir, a few friends bond over a rare Pokémon Go catch.
by Jazmine & Vanessa, 826CHI
Over a series of letters, two compassionate and resilient students develop a deep friendship sealed in writing.
by Lesly, 826 Valencia
A sports poem about the losing blues.
by Arianny, 826 Boston
A poem that celebrates being Latino
by Henry, Matthew, & Santiago, 826CHI
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.
by Pia, 826NYC
A student reimagines food justice: Fruit Woman must convince Junk Food Man and Cheesecake Boy to eat their fruits and vegetables.
by Jeff, 826CHI
In this piece, a student describes Christmas as a holiday best spent together.
by Dayana Alvarado, 826CHI
A student shares finding home in two places: Mexico and Chicago.
by Kevin, 826NYC
An informational briefing on a horrible incident in the year 5176 that changed the hoverboarding industry forever.
by Sebastian Cendejas, 826CHI
A student reflects on how much Chicago means to them.
by Evelyn Escamilla, Grade 8, 826 Valencia
This poem uses metaphors and similes to describe happiness.
by Christian Z., Age 14, 826 Valencia
A poet recounts his day out at the Yerba Buena Gardens.
by Mya, 826CHI
A piece packed with vivid description about taking risks at an ice rink.
by Cayden, 826DC
This poem lists all of the pieces that make up the writer's whole.
by Calvin, 826michigan
A laugh-out-loud personal narrative about a crush. Has your heart ever beat so fast it might get a speeding ticket and a $500 fine?
by Mariah Valenzuela, Minneapolis, MN
From the 826 National anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poet uses her voice to speak up for those who have been silenced in the indigenous community.
by Sara Sofia Becerra L., Age 14, 826 Valencia
This poem shares the writer's love for music with the world.
by Charlotte, 826CHI
A poem about spring!
by Marco, 826LA
A screenplay about a plane crash and an epic journey to Mexico, with a twist!
by Brigid, 826CHI
A poem about facing fear—and learning how to shine.
by Jiaxi, 826CHI
A student’s worldview is forever altered after a lesson on the Segregation Era and Jim Crow.
by Salome Maldonando, 826CHI
A poem about unrequited love.
by Elsy, 826LA
Song lyrics about memories of cake and pizza, friendship, and giving 1,000 opinions.
by Anonymous, Grade 8, 826 Boston
In this poem from the 826 National anthology, Poets in Revolt!, a student reflects on identity.
Jerieliz Garcia & Jaiden Vinti, 826NYC
Two poets braid together their reflections on where they come from.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
by V.G., 826LA
A poem that muses on the purpose of borders in question and answer format.
by Gabriela T., 826 Valencia
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn that inclusive leaders take action—they don't wait for others to make a difference.
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