826 believes in amplifying and publishing youth voices. Browse our student writing collections for pieces that will inspire you and your students. Our students’ words will make you smile, think, sigh, cry so hard you laugh, and laugh so much you cry. Celebrate and honor their stories with us!
Our writing collections feature student writing on diverse topics from diverse authors. Browse, enjoy, and discover representative mentor texts to inspire your students to write. Find more student writing in our RESOURCE LIBRARY.
by Juliana Anderson, Grade 6, 826 MSP
This action-packed sci-fi story will keep you on the edge of your seat!
by Carolyn Danielle Wong, Age 9, 826 Valencia
In this poem, the writer showcases self-love and joy.
by Rowan, Grade 2, 826 Boston
This poem explores the ways the stars show love.
by Yojannie Pizarro, Age 17, 826 Boston
This poem explores the beauty of friendship.
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 Denisse Reyes Gonzalez, Age 17, 826NYC
Using metaphors, this bilingual poem explores the idea of lost love.
Authors explore their identities and show their PRIDE in this celebratory collection of young voices.
A student celebrates the journey of discovering whom to love.
"I’m not a plain white line. I just glitter and be questioning."
A poem exploring an electric, freeing moment shared on the dance floor.
"I wanted to spill out on the floor / And show everybody who I am"
A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.
"When I finally let it out, / I flourish / With all my true colors."
In this poem, a student reflects on their LGBTQIA+ identity.
"What will everyone say about the girl who all of a sudden became bisexual?"
A poet sets the stage to showcase her reflections on being trans.
"fading scars, sparkling eyes / peeling off dead skin from an old tale’s scribes"
A poem to the next president of the U.S. demanding change and advocating for transgender rights.
"Because I’m speaking for EVERYONE in the trans community when I say: We. Deserve. Better."
A young writer reconciles their sexuality with the beliefs of their community.
"Belonging to two cultures is difficult, especially when one is not inclusive of who I am."
A gender-fluid student's call to action to the next U.S. president to protect LGBTQIA+ rights.
"The laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community need to be removed."
In this poem, a student reflects on the limits—and possibilities—of the American dream.
"I would be just as accepted and valid as any cisgender female and male would."
Announcing our newest anthology of student writing: UNBOUND: The Power and Possibility of Young Writers' Emotions!
This bilingual poem describes the way happiness looks and sounds.
"Felicidad es el sonido de un elefante (Happiness is the sound of an elephant.)"
This joyful letter to everyone's favorite pop star sings! Are you "...Ready For It?"
"I almost went to the Eras Tour./When I couldn’t go, my heart dropped to the floor."
This poem shares an honest look at a big feeling: anxiety
"Anxious is homework"
This personal narrative explores the connection between music, place and self-reflection. We recommend reading it while listening to the included playlist.
"Tying your shoes in the dark is hard, but you eventually get used to it."
This loving poem uses descriptive language to pay tribute to the writer's family.
"I am like a taco./My family is all the ingredients for me."
This poem shares about the beautiful things that can happen when doubt fades away.
"I giggle. There is no silence between us that I was worried about."
This poem uses imagery to describe a small moment of joy.
"Small moments, quiet moments, moments of joy."
This list poem shares tips to manage the anxiety that can come along with making a phone call.
"6. Panic as it rings. What if they don’t pick up?! Do you leave a message? You didn’t write a script for that! You aren’t prepared for this! Abort! Abort! Hang up!"
When we publish our students’ writing, something magical happens. Students see their ideas reflected in something tangible and begin to see themselves as authors with words worth reading. See the magic in action by checking out 826-published books that will feel right at home on any bookshelf.
Our writing collections feature student writing on diverse topics from diverse authors. Browse, enjoy, and discover representative mentor texts to inspire your students to write. Find more student writing in our RESOURCE LIBRARY.
Celebrate National Poetry Month with this selection of powerful and honest poems, written by 826 students.
This poem will take you to the beach and make you wonder if it was all a dream.
"The waves come chasing after you, like kids playing tag at the park"
This poems explores the beauty of friendship.
"I truly believe that opposites attract./You being Dominican and me being Puerto Rican yet we balance/each other perfectly."
This poem explores the ways the stars show love.
"I know the stars love me because when I look they twinkle."
Using metaphors, this bilingual poem explores the idea of lost love.
"From the distance I see you/From afar I think of you"
In this poem, the writer showcases self-love and joy.
"I am a panda/Because I am cuddly and fun."
A collection of pieces that explore feelings of love—from snow globes to a special friend to corgis.
This poem declares a student's love for snow globes!
"almost as white as white can be, / just like a polar bear walking through the snow."
Thinking of Cherry Coke lip gloss, community, and dancing, this narrator celebrates life from their front stoop.
"I love to feel like I’m / shining, because I know I’m awesome."
A poem about the writer's favorite animal—corgis!
"My house is not grande, / but my heart can hold her."
A student appreciates and reflects on her mother's kindness over the years.
"Dear Mom, I want you to know, / You mean the entire world to me."
A poem exploring feelings of love. . . from the galaxy.
"I know the galaxy loves me when I look at its starry path."
A poet explores their love for writing with their friend.
"Writing with you / is even more fun than a perfect beach"
We are thrilled to have you as the newest member of our online community. Stay up-to-date on the the latest and most relevant resources, student publication opportunities, and what’s new with the 826 Digital community.
