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 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.
by Mo, Grade 2, 826 Boston
A poem exploring feelings of love. . . from the galaxy.
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."
See why the future is female with this collection from young, female-identifying authors across the 826 Network.
A poem celebrating the expanse of womanhood — joy, pain, and all the curves in between.
"I am woman / I cry, I get angry, I accept. . ."
A letter to the future Madame President of the United States.
"If you could run our country, / Maybe we could run our lives"
In this poem, a student reflects on their LGBTQIA+ identity.
"What will everyone say about the girl who all of a sudden became bisexual?"
In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.
"I will not be forced into the quiet mold of a biased society"
A persuasive piece for women and girls to unite and cultivate a culture of body image positivity.
"How can we make a difference? We need to eliminate the stereotypes."
This poem uses metaphors and similes to explore many dualities of the narrator's life.
"I cannot be described as one thing."
A poem that highlights the bond between grandparent, grandchild, and a sweet perfume.
"Suga is the best / She’s my grandma’s mother / She’s a person / Like no other"
A persuasive letter asking grown ups to take for their environment.
"Dear Grown Up, I think you should take care of the environment."
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.
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"
Students voice their hopes, fears, and calls to action in letters to the next U.S. President.
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 second grader's adorable list of demands to the future President.
"Please make more playgrounds, because I like playgrounds."
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."
A poet imagines a better and more harmonious world.
"Imagine, if you will, this vision so grand,/ A realm of harmony, hand in hand."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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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