In this poem, a student reflects on their roots and their desire to grow.

A poet sets the stage to showcase her reflections on being trans.

A student reflects on how her relationship's with her parents has influenced her life.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student shares gratitude for the dedication of nurses and gives “credit where credit is due.”

Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.

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

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

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

In this public narrative, a student makes the case for creating community change by building youth centers in her neighborhood.

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

A student explores gratitude and love through sharing food.

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

The power of public speaking shines through this student's memoir.

A trans student reflects on their desire to be male.

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

A poem for lovers of love and the moon.

This creative narrative imagines how the coronavirus views humanity during the pandemic.

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

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

A story about how Marcus becomes Marcela.

A rousing public narrative from an author coming to terms with their identity as a young Chinese American woman and what they represent: the community of Boston's Chinatown.

A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.

A writer implores people to get outside and touch grass because you never know what you might find!

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 powerful poem that lifts up Black women.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a senior at South High School in Minneapolis offers words of support to healthcare workers across the country, including her own mom.

This student reveals the mysterious origin story of the king cake. Hint: it includes Big Freedia, DJ Chicken Wing, and a massive party.

This poem uses a fundamental poetry technique, repetition, to share the writer's future plans.

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

In this essay, a student threads their identity across cultures, histories, and places, engaging with legacies of violence and the movement of people.

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

This poem uses analogies to describe all of the pieces of the writer's personal history.

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

A beautiful ode to home and self.

From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem reminds activists that "to change everything, we need everyone."

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

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

A student looks back on their first day of kindergarten and how they've changed.

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

An author reflects on their correspondence with their friend from the past.

In this poem, metaphor is used to describe who the narrator is.

A student describes how volunteering saved him from his online prison.

A young writer reconciles their sexuality with the beliefs of their community.

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

A student writes to a grandmother she never met.

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

Smells swirl about a student walking around an ice cream shop.

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

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

A student reflects on the memories they made while backpacking.

A student finds her wings in unexpected places in this piece about the transition to college.

A student recalls how he was able to take charge and turn his life around.

This poem offers a very-real answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

This narrative piece contemplates the struggle of immigrants during the pandemic.

This creative short horror piece explores the mysteries and danger of a night in the woods.

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

A powerful poetic piece about the experience of being Black in America.

A poet demonstrates their devotion to love.

A student spins through space and a treasure trove of memories in this poem.

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

A student reflects on memories of home and what binds her special community together.

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.

In this public narrative, a student illustrates the hardships his uncle has faced to argue for a path to citizenship.

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

When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.

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

From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem explores the aftermath and lasting impacts of school shootings.

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

In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.

From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem expresses the realization that a cage is not the only obstacle to a bird's freedom.

In this poem, a student reflects on identity.

This poem takes an honest look at two sides of the writer's culture.

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

In this poem, a student reflects on their first encounter with forced assimilation.

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

In this narrative, the author uses vibrant language to explore their identity, in all its complexity, through different landscapes.

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

A student recounts the epic highs and lows of high school track and cross country.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student shares how essential workers’ courage and compassion center her during these hectic times.

Full of exquisite imagery, this poem explores the idea of second chances.

A student compares themself to the place they live, New Orleans, as both evolve through great obstacles.

A student reflects on the fear and wonder of becoming a mother.

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

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

In this compelling poem, the author navigates her relationship with America as a young African-American woman.

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 poet speaks out as a voice for change and all those who cannot speak.

A student shares how they've uplifted their community.

A poet identifies with a trapped ocelot at the zoo.

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

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

In this poem, a student describes their family origins with an intimate point of view

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

This bilingual poem explores the harrowing story of a boy working while in school to save his mother.

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

A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student describes how essential workers are the pulse of New York, fueling the city’s hope.

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

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

Crawfish, crayfish, or mudbugs. Whatever you call them, the writer of this poem doesn't like them.

This personal narrative addresses the struggles of students graduating high school during the pandemic.

A student recounts separation with a beloved friend through a nostalgic lens.

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

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

A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.

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

A student describes their shark like imaginary friend.

A poet imagines a better and more harmonious world.

A student tells the story of how his family has influenced his life.

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