Grade 8
PoetryMariah enjoys playing ALL the sports in the book. She is Native American and is a part of the Lac Courte Oreilles tribe. She started to write poetry as an escape route, and she truly enjoys it and wants to expand her capabilities. Mariah wants to inspire youth to do their best even in the worst conditions.
What walking the red road means to me is
I’m walking for myself and for my people
There’s power to what WE behold
We are walking with positive attitudes and thoughts
No stone should ever be left behind
Because we are all one
I am walking a clean road for my mother, uncles
For the ones who can’t be here
My grandmothers, my grandfather, sisters, brothers
My future sons and daughters, my community
Mamma raised a hustler
But that doesn’t mean I got to be on the corner selling drugs
That means Imma grind to whatever I put my mind to
That means there’s power behind MY name
Power behind these words
That means my pencil is my weapon
That means I am Native American
And I am walking for Indigenous Women!
In response to: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
by Ola Faleti, 826CHI, with an introduction by Amanda Gorman, Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate of the U.S.
The pen is mightier than the sword. In this lesson, students learn there's no better evidence of this than the…
by Lesly, 826 Valencia
A sports poem about the losing blues.
by Jason, 826michigan
Making bottle flipping look like child's play, this piece outlines rules for the new, competitive Fantasy Sport "Pencils".
by Caroline, 826 Valencia
A student explores U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe’s decision to kneel in protest during the national anthem.
by David & Daniel, 826CHI
In this heartfelt exchange of letters, two students bond over food, videos games, and some scary adventures.
by Sharon, 826CHI
A memoir about finding true friendship.
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 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 Tylor, 826NYC
A lean but essential checklist for readers to determine if they are awake.
by Jazmine & Vanessa, 826CHI
Over a series of letters, two compassionate and resilient students develop a deep friendship sealed in writing.
by Arielle B., Grade 8
This poem invites readers to remember that people are often going through more than choose to show.
by Diego, 826CHI
On the funniest day of this student’s life…
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 Kevin, 826NYC
An informational briefing on a horrible incident in the year 5176 that changed the hoverboarding industry forever.
by Alondra, 826CHI
An epic story of a princess who seeks acceptance among the stars.
by Anjum, 826CHI
A shout-out poem to some things missed (Hyderabad) and celebrated (Mom).
by Kiara, 826CHI
In this personal narrative, a student explores growing up young and black in Chicago.
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 Chelsea, 826NYC
An acrostic poem about the Black Lives Matter movement.
by Vivian, 826CHI
A narrative about loving to run—and learning to never quit!
by Jabari, Grade 8, 826 Valencia
A poem about wanting more from life.
by Cayden, 826DC
This poem lists all of the pieces that make up the writer's whole.
by Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
by Marco, 826LA
A screenplay about a plane crash and an epic journey to Mexico, with a twist!
by Curtis, 826michigan
A rhyming (inverse) ode to a very irritating noise.
by Dayana Alvarado, 826CHI
A student shares finding home in two places: Mexico and Chicago.
by Jack, 826 Valencia
An argument against the overconsumption of sugar outlines the ways its effects are anything but sweet.
by Laila, 826CHI
A memoir about losing a parent—and a community’s support.
by Lola, 826 Valencia
A poem that portrays the arc of a love story told through the gift of a cigarette lighter.
by Andy, 826CHI
In this memoir, a few friends bond over a rare Pokémon Go catch.
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 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 Shayne Williams
Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.
by Evelyn Escamilla, 826 Valencia
This poem uses metaphors and similes to describe happiness.
by David, 826CHI
A student writes about the smell, taste, and pace of their neighborhood.
by Jiaxi, 826CHI
A student’s worldview is forever altered after a lesson on the Segregation Era and Jim Crow.
by Sebastian Cendejas, 826CHI
A student reflects on how much Chicago means to them.
Amara, 826 New Orleans
An ode celebrating an important figure in this student’s life.
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 Khloe Fewster, 826 Valencia
This poem uses repetition to give advice for when you're feeling unsure of yourself.
by Elizabeth W., 826 Valencia
A persuasive piece for women and girls to unite and cultivate a culture of body image positivity.
by Arianny, 826 Boston
A poem that celebrates being Latino
by Angel, 826CHI
A student writes about the transformative experience of changing schools.
by Duanté, 826 Valencia
A personal narrative about race and identity.
by Eva, 826 Valencia
A student celebrates the journey of discovering whom to love.
by Renée, 826NYC
A persuasive letter detailing to the recipient the pointlessness of writing a persuasive letter. A helpful example for reluctant writers.
by Jin, 826LA
This student says thank you to her Mom, her hero, for a life full love and beef noodles!
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.
by Luis, 826LA
This student writes a letter to a hero with a sweet double kick: Jackie Chan!
by Isabel, 826 Boston
From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem features a student battling with the voices constricting her freedom.
by Mya, 826CHI
A piece packed with vivid description about taking risks at an ice rink.
by Salome Maldonando, 826CHI
A poem about unrequited love.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
by Itzel Medina Luna, 826 Valencia
In this poem from the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, a student walks through her neighborhood searching for hidden stories.
by Iliana, 826CHI
A student searches for answers in their community.
by Emmanuel J., 826NYC
An avid basketball fan discusses the rise of the Golden State Warriors through its individual players.
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 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 Jamie, 826 Valencia
A metaphorical poem about frustrations, from homework to homelessness.
by Natalie, 826CHI
Weaving together Spanish and English, a student shares the discovery of a family secret.
by Kaitlyn, 826NYC
A middle school student firmly protests the flavor and quality of her school’s lunches.
by Djeneba, 826michigan
A student’s manifesto!
by Cora B., Grade 8
This narrative uses nature imagery, to help the reader walk through a day in the speaker's shoes
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 Victor, 826CHI
An epic memoir about an epic volleyball match! Who will win: the teachers or the students?
by Elsy, 826LA
Song lyrics about memories of cake and pizza, friendship, and giving 1,000 opinions.
by 826NYC students
This collaborative poem explores the many sides and senses of laughter.
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 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 Xaria, 826 Valencia
An argument against the wage gap that prevails in the U.S. and across the globe.
by Calvin, 826michigan
A student professes love—to a jalapeño!
by Rafael, 826CHI
A student remembers an afternoon adventure around town and explores what Chicago and community mean to him.
by Jeff, 826CHI
In this piece, a student describes Christmas as a holiday best spent together.
by Byanna & Kayla, 826CHI
Two students across one city bond by writing letters to each other about the people they love most.
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