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Brilliant Stories

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!

Find Writing that Inspires

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.

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Writing

A Thousand Points of Light

Gerrardo R, 826LA

A student recalls a beautiful hike with their family.

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Writing

The Time of my Euphoria

Helen F., 826LA

A student explores their relationship to writing and how writing has helped them grow.

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Writing

The Perfect Morning

Josiah, 826DC

A poet tugs at your senses to describe the ideal morning.

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Writing

The Most Joyful Place on Earth

Dylan Sanderson, Grade 5, 826NYC

A student dreams of the most joyful place in the world--somewhere with their family and money!

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Writing

Writing with You

Vivien Norton, Age 12, 826michigan

A poet explores their love for writing with their friend.

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Writing

The Butterfly Cake

Raquel Campos, Age 10, 826 Valencia

Three friends, inspired by a stream of butterflies, bake a beautiful cake.

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Writing is Joy

Winter is here--warm your hands with these sweet pieces of joy!

Writing

Writing with You

by Vivien Norton, Age 12, 826michigan

A poet explores their love for writing with their friend.

"partly because you love everybody and everything around / you."

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Writing

A Thousand Points of Light

by Gerrardo R, 826LA

A student recalls a beautiful hike with their family.

"It was as though a sea of stars had materialized under the moonlight. I was astonished by the beauty of the city."

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Writing

The Time of my Euphoria

by Helen F., 826LA

A student explores their relationship to writing and how writing has helped them grow.

"Writing is meaningful because I get to help other people through the characters and the stories I tell."

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Writing

The Butterfly Cake

by Raquel Campos, Age 10, 826 Valencia

Three friends, inspired by a stream of butterflies, bake a beautiful cake.

"They made this three-layer, pastel, purple cake with a little garden on top, but then a few butterflies landed on the cake."

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Writing

The Perfect Morning

by Josiah, 826DC

A poet tugs at your senses to describe the ideal morning.

"Sizzling and sizzling sounds of / Scrambled eggs in the making

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Writing

The Most Joyful Place on Earth

by Dylan Sanderson, Grade 5, 826NYC

A student dreams of the most joyful place in the world--somewhere with their family and money!

"I think that because when you are spending time with your family, you get a sense of comfort and joy."

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Writing

Dancing Poem / Poema Bailando

by Noah Jean Marie, Age 9, 826NYC

A poet captures the freedom of dancing.

"Joy of their freedom is overwhelming / They rejoice in the baptism of water"

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Let This Be Our Anthem

Students voice their hopes, fears, and calls to action in letters to the next U.S. President.

Writing

Now Is Our Time to Act

by Annapoorani L., Grade 7, Seattle, WA

A student recounts their experience with a school shooting in a letter to the next U.S. President to reform gun control.

"But I do know, Mr. President, that now is our time to act. In the hopes that my words matter, A student dreaming of a better tomorrow"

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Writing

Dear Future President

by Salmaan S., Grade 2, 826MSP

A second grader's adorable list of demands to the future President.

"Please make more playgrounds, because I like playgrounds."

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Writing

Untitled

by Emma D., Grade 4, 826LA

A plea to the next President to provide better access to mental health treatment for youth.

"President, I ask that you support my community by putting more money into helping children talk about what they have seen in their lives."

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Writing

Harmony's Canvas: A Vision of Love's Eternal Light

by Elsy M.E., Grade 11, 826 Valencia

A poet imagines a better and more harmonious world.

"Imagine, if you will, this vision so grand,/ A realm of harmony, hand in hand."

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Writing

Juntos/Together

by Krisbel D.L.M., Grade 6, 826 Valencia

A letter to the next President asking them to support immigration laws that will allow them to see their family.

"It would help me for my family to be able to travel here, because I could show them new things that they don’t know yet, like the rules that are different here."

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Writing

Untitled

by Camila R.G., Grade 4, 826LA

In this letter, a student asks the next U.S. President to help the homeless.

"If you visit Los Angeles, I would like you to visit my house, and I’ll show you where the homeless people live. I will donate my own money to help."

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Writing

We Won't Have a Home

by Esperanza R., Grade 3, 826 Valencia

A letter asking the next U.S. President to stop climate change and save our home.

"I’m writing to share my story about climate change that has been impacting me, my community, and the Earth."

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Writing

Dear Future President

by Kyle I., Grade 6, Kansas City, MO

A gender-fluid student's call to action to the next U.S. president to protect LGBTQIA+ rights.

"My family may have to move if more anti-LGBTQ+ laws are passed."

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Writing

Querido/ a presidente

by Lukoiy V.R.G., Grade 12, Woodburn, OR

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

"My voice rings bells,/ for the change we need to make,"

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Fill Your Bookshelf

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.

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Amazing Short Stories

Dive into new worlds of student writing with these amazing short stories from 826 students.

Writing

How to Capture the Mermaid from the Scary Forest

by Lyric White, age 10, 826 Valencia

A magical mountain quest to save a mermaid.

"I will go to the mountain so I can see a mermaid."

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Writing

Agent Smitty: The Athletic Astronaut

by Benny, 826 Boston

Inspired by Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this piece contains a series of journal entries and rules for a new sport by fictitious NASA operative Agent Smitty.

"I was wandering around Mars, looking for signs of life, when I saw something really creepy."

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Writing

The Tunnel

by Valery K., Grade 6, 826 MSP

A story about a mysterious tunnel that leaves you on the edge of your seat!

"My head started to spin and my whole body was covered in goosebumps and chills."

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Writing

The Wallet

by Isabella C., Age 13, 826 Valencia

The misadventures of finding a missing wallet.

"On this one particular Tuesday, Times Square was so busy, I could barely see two feet ahead of me."

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College Essays

Students creatively introduce themselves through personal essays.

Writing

Unexpected Opportunities

by Brandon R., 826LA

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

"The starting gun went off and everybody took off. I saw my own teammates ahead of me as well as those of the competing school. I felt the adrenaline rush pushing me to try and keep up and go even faster. "

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Writing

Today's Leaders

by Gisel J., 826LA

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

"Public speaking has given me the opportunity to influence decisions, create connections with my community, and hold myself accountable."

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Writing

Alanis T.

by Alanis T., Age 17, 826 Boston

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

"Your first heartbreak makes you want to build up walls with the world."

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Writing

Boston’s Chinatown is my home, but it is in a crisis

by Sarah X., Age 18, 826 Boston

A student shares how they've uplifted their community.

"I am now proud, more than anything, of being a resident of the neighborhood because I am more in-tune with my identity. I will continue to advocate for this tender community I have come to love so dearly."

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Writing

Nhu N.

by Nhu N., Grade 12, 826 Boston

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."

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Writing

Albin C.

by Albin C., Age 18, 826 Boston

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

"Even when this kid was warring internally, he found himself pushing himself ahead through the things he loves."

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Writing

The Escape from Quarantine

by Colin Y., Age 17, 826 Valencia

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

" I was tired of this mandatory prison breaking me down physically and mentally. As the world recovered, I longed for a purpose beyond being indoors."

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Writing

Bridge Between Worlds

by Timothy T., Age 17, 826 Valencia

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

"The aroma of home-cooked delicacies, the warmth of familial bonds—these became the cornerstones of my upbringing, grounding me in a rich tapestry of culture and identity."

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