A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition

A freshman describes their first day of school on their own.

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

A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.

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

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

The stunning and vulnerable poem processes feelings of loss, grief, and hope for the future.

A student recalls their journey on how they discovered their LGBTQIA+ identity.

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

This piece reminds us that a smile is not always what it seems.

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

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

A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.

A poem for lovers of love and the moon.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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 memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.

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

A student considers realistic happy endings and the representation of LGBTQIA+ youth through the analysis of two webcomics.

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.

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

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

A poem to the next president of the U.S. demanding change and advocating for transgender rights.

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

A bilingual poem that expresses the love of one's culture and people

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

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

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

When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.

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

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

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

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

A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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

A story about how Marcus becomes Marcela.

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

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

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

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

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

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

This poem uses metaphors and similes to explore many dualities of the narrator's life.

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

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.

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