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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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Grade 11
Writing
How To: Make a Phone Call

by Emmerson Todd, Grade 11, Novato High School, Novato, CA

Informational
Poetry

This list poem shares tips to manage the anxiety that can come along with making a phone call.

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Grade 11
Writing
Pockets

by Rowan Yordy, Grade 11, 826michigan

Poetry

This poem uses imagery to describe a small moment of joy.

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Grade 7
Writing
I Belong

by Jiyu Kim, Grade 7, Union Middle School, San Jose, CA

Poetry

This poem shares about the beautiful things that can happen when doubt fades away.

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Grade 8
Writing
Taco Family

by Judethan Garfias Muñoz, Grade 8, 826 Valencia

Poetry

This loving poem uses descriptive language to pay tribute to the writer's family.

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Grade 8
Writing
The Insomniac’s Escape

by Violet Roberts, Grade 8, 826DC

Narrative

This personal narrative explores the connection between music, place and self-reflection. We recommend reading it while listening to the included playlist.

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Grade 5
Writing
Anxious

by Kelsey F., Grade 5, 826 Valencia

Poetry

This poem shares an honest look at a big feeling: anxiety

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UNBOUND: The Power and Possibility of Young Writers' Emotions

Announcing our newest anthology of student writing: UNBOUND: The Power and Possibility of Young Writers' Emotions!

Grade k
Writing
Felicidad
by Yoselin Estrada Hernandez, Kindergarten, 826 Valencia

This bilingual poem describes the way happiness looks and sounds.

Poetry

"Felicidad es el sonido de un elefante (Happiness is the sound of an elephant.)"

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Grade 4
Writing
Dear Taylor Swift
by Iman Abdullah, Grade 4, 826NYC

This joyful letter to everyone's favorite pop star sings! Are you "...Ready For It?"

Poetry

"I almost went to the Eras Tour./When I couldn’t go, my heart dropped to the floor."

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Grade 5
Writing
Anxiety
by Kelsey Fuentes, Grade 5, 826 Valencia

This poem shares an honest look at a big feeling: anxiety

Poetry

"Anxious is homework"

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Grade 8
Writing
The Insomniac’s Escape
by Violet Roberts, Grade 8, 826DC

This personal narrative explores the connection between music, place and self-reflection. We recommend reading it while listening to the included playlist.

Narrative

"Tying your shoes in the dark is hard, but you eventually get used to it."

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Grade 8
Writing
Taco Family
by Judethan Garfias Muñoz, Grade 8, 826 Valencia

This loving poem uses descriptive language to pay tribute to the writer's family.

Poetry

"I am like a taco./My family is all the ingredients for me."

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Grade 7
Writing
I Belong
by Jiyu Kim, Grade 7, Union Middle School, San Jose, CA

This poem shares about the beautiful things that can happen when doubt fades away.

Poetry

"I giggle. There is no silence between us that I was worried about."

VIEW
Grade 11
Writing
Pockets
by Rowan Yordy, Grade 11, 826michigan

This poem uses imagery to describe a small moment of joy.

Poetry

"Small moments, quiet moments, moments of joy."

VIEW
Grade 11
Writing
How To: Make a Phone Call
by Emmerson Todd, Grade 11, Novato High School, Novato, CA

This list poem shares tips to manage the anxiety that can come along with making a phone call.

Informational
Poetry

"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!"

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Celebrating the Power of Poetry

Celebrate National Poetry Month with this selection of powerful and honest poems, written by 826 students.

Grades 6–8
Writing
The Delulu Ocean
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.

Poetry

"The waves come chasing after you, like kids playing tag at the park"

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Grades 11–12
Writing
Platonic Soulmate
by Yojannie Pizarro, Age 17, 826 Boston

This poems explores the beauty of friendship.

Poetry

"I truly believe that opposites attract./You being Dominican and me being Puerto Rican yet we balance/each other perfectly."

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Grade 2
Writing
The Stars Love Me
by Rowan, Grade 2, 826 Boston

This poem explores the ways the stars show love.

Poetry

"I know the stars love me because when I look they twinkle."

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Grades 11–12
Writing
Waves/Ondas
by Denisse Reyes Gonzalez, Age 17, 826NYC

Using metaphors, this bilingual poem explores the idea of lost love.

Poetry

"From the distance I see you/From afar I think of you"

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Grades 4–6
Writing
A Joyful Poem
by Carolyn Danielle Wong, Age 9, 826 Valencia

In this poem, the writer showcases self-love and joy.

Poetry

"I am a panda/Because I am cuddly and fun."

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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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Words From the Heart

A collection of pieces that explore feelings of love—from snow globes to a special friend to corgis.

Grades 3–5
Writing
Snow Globe
by Yasmeen Whitney, Age 9, 826 Valencia

This poem declares a student's love for snow globes!

Poetry

"almost as white as white can be, / just like a polar bear walking through the snow."

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Grade 5
Writing
Dance
by Elena Chambers, Grade 5, 826michigan

Thinking of Cherry Coke lip gloss, community, and dancing, this narrator celebrates life from their front stoop.

Poetry

"I love to feel like I’m / shining, because I know I’m awesome."

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Grade 6
Writing
Cinnamon the Corgi
by Claire Leiva, Grade 6, 826michigan

A poem about the writer's favorite animal—corgis!

Poetry

"My house is not grande, / but my heart can hold her."

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Grade 6
Writing
Dear Mom
by Najah, Grade 6, 826 MSP

A student appreciates and reflects on her mother's kindness over the years.

Narrative

"Dear Mom, I want you to know, / You mean the entire world to me."

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Grade 2
Writing
The Galaxy Loves Me
by Mo, Grade 2, 826 Boston

A poem exploring feelings of love. . . from the galaxy.

Poetry

"I know the galaxy loves me when I look at its starry path."

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Grades 5–6
Writing
Writing with You
by Vivien Norton, Age 12, 826michigan

A poet explores their love for writing with their friend.

Poetry

"Writing with you / is even more fun than a perfect beach"

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The Sky
by Elsie, Grade 5, 826 New Orleans
Animal Poem
by Mohamed F., 826 MSP
Funning
by Zari P., Grade 4, 826DC
My Black
by Keyshana, Grade 11, 826CHI
Worried
by Kevin J. Ortiz, 826DC
Stuffed Crust
by Victor, 826 Valencia
Bryan
by Elsy, 826LA
BLM
by Chelsea, 826NYC