Brilliant Stories

826 believes in amplifying and publishing youth voices. Celebrate and honor their stories with us. Find inspiration with hundreds of student writing pieces in our Writing Gallery, and share your students’ writing on 826 Digital. Our students’ words will make you smile, think, sigh, cry so hard you laugh, and laugh so much you cry.

Students

YOU could become a Published Author.

Your piece could be published in a beautiful 826 book, right here on our Writing Gallery, and beyond.

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Featured Student Writing

Where I Am From

I am from Chaconia / An ornamental tree / I'm from reunions and strong cheekbones / From Mama Delé and Cecilia / I'm from the endless laughter and tears of joy

by Rockelle Rodd, Grade 11, 826NYC

Alemeny

My home, these dirty projects. I remember being young and playing outside, constant water fights, and flashlight tag. It often smells like lighter fluid when it first starts burning. It smells like whatever your neighbor is cooking, and if it’s love, they’ll bring you a plate.

by Izzy T., Grade 11, 826 Valencia

Jalapeño + Love

But the real love of my life is a batch of fresh, organic jalapeños. Why? Because they’re spicy. They’re rebellious. They don’t play by your rules. If you double-cross a jalapeño, you get the seeds.

by Calvin, Grade 7, 826michigan

Generations

The rope has tied our hands / Together bonded by the same / Realization that we have no father / I am my mother’s daughter

by Jizelle Villegas, Grade 12, 826 Dallas Project

Joy

Power

Confidence

Pride

Honor

their words

Reimagine

this world

Raise

your voice

Write

the future

Find Student Writing

Read student writing on diverse topics from diverse authors. Find inspiration for yourself as a reader and as a writer. And let your students be inspired by mentor texts from their peers.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Writing

Six Poems in Search of My Border

by Jasmine J., 826 Valencia

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

"It’s not fair that people who I care a lot for are on the other side of that border I don’t Show any affection, no emotion sometimes"

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Writing

Where I’m From and What I Want

by Dayana Alvarado, 826CHI

A student shares finding home in two places: Mexico and Chicago.

"I am from Mexico, where the weather is hot and the people are crazy. I was born in the U.S. I only say born because I feel more Mexican than American. I grew up on the southside of Chicago, where the weather is cold and so are the people. Both of these places feel like home to me. No matter where I am – Chicago or Mexico – I am home."

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Writing

Finding Out I Have a Brother

by Natalie, 826CHI

Weaving together Spanish and English, a student shares the discovery of a family secret.

“I was five years old when I heard my mom and dad mention a name. “Carlos.” I wondered who they were talking about."

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Writing

My House/Mi casa

by Fatima, 826michigan

Fatima is a nine-year-old girl, She lives in a brown house in Detroit. She lives with her mom, dad, adorable little sister, and cool brother. She loves school. She always reads in the morning at school. Sometimes, when she is bored at the park, she draws her family on a piece of paper.

"Little cactus, peace lily flower that my mom likes White and brown curtains”

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Writing

Christopher & Bryan & Jahir

by Christopher & Bryan & Jahir, 826CHI

Three students write to each other.

"Dear Bryan and Christopher, You may wonder why on earth I write so small. I would tell you the same thing I tell everybody: this is how I normally write. By the way: I am fourteen years old, I am a Hispanic kid, and I love playing. Food is my passion. I eat a lot. I take care of my siblings more than I take care of myself. Drawing is my other big passion. Cars are the number one thing that I love."

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Writing

My Latino Self

by Arianny, 826 Boston

A poem that celebrates being Latino

"Latino, a blooming generation of a beautiful culture With a little Sazon!"

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Back to School...Break the Ice

Writing

by Numan Khan, 826 Boston

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

"Yo un noble, respetado Soy valiente y courageous"

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Writing

Where I’m From

by Michaiah Anderson, The 826 Dallas Project

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

"I come from a nice suit and black “shining” shoes. Beating me at bowling, every time we play. And a mom says “Be thankful for what you got, because there is someone who wants to be in your shoes.”"

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Writing

Bigger Than You Think

by Sharoya Bracey, 826NYC

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

"Being tall, I automatically feel so close to the ceiling in close spaces, like elevators. At a point in my life I hated them. Why? Well for one, it is an enclosed space. It is so boxed in that the height is never a height where you feel short in it. It is one of those spaces where being in there just makes you feel awkward. It only makes matters worse when rude people remind me how abnormal I am."

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Writing

Where I’m From

by Cayden, 826 DC

This poem lists all of the pieces that make up the writer's whole.

"I am from a plasma ball When you clap it turns on It’s surrounded by electricity!”

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Writing

Chicago is My Voice

by Kiara, 826CHI

In this personal narrative, a student explores growing up young and black in Chicago.

"I grew up in Chicago for a while, and I guess it became my new home. This is where you hear the noisy streets honk and yell, and you view downtown as the pretty light appears. I can definitely say Urbana is my tranquil place, but Chicago is my voice. It is where my shouts are heard every day."

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Writing

Where I’m From

by David, 826CHI

A student writes about the smell, taste, and pace of their neighborhood.

"I am from Pilsen. My school was in Pilsen and most of my friends lived there, too. At night it is not the safest place to be, but it is my home. The streets smell like gasoline."

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Personal Narratives

Writing

I Took My First Steps...

by Maria, Grade 12, 826 Boston

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

"I took my first steps in a small farming village in the northern part of Greece named Loudias."

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Writing

I Cannot Be Defined

by Alexis G., Grade 11, Novato, CA

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

"I cannot be defined as one place, one clear image in your mind."

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Writing

Finding My Wings

by Camille, Grade 12, 826LA

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

"The Lancaster evening was bitter cold by my Southern California girl standards..."

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Writing

Retrospect

by Kevin G., Grade 10, 826 Valencia

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

"It was like I was in a movie. A bad one. Moving slowly, hearing an echo of my dad’s voice, my body felt cold. My smile was gone."

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Writing

History and Me

by Corazón, Grade 11, 826 New Orleans

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

"They never think to ask if I’m Latina and they never guess I’m from Jamaica—speech lessons bleached out my accent long ago."

History and Me

Giving Thanks: Student Odes

Writing

Ode to My Grandfather

by Amara, 826 New Orleans

An ode celebrating an important figure in this student’s life.

"If my grandfather were A rainbow I would follow him Until I found a pot of gold"

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Writing

An Ode to Tacos

by Jonathan Rivera Navarro, 826 Valencia

This poem celebrates and mourns a taco.

"Oh, shiny, blue taco eyes, I lick the eyeballs like a lollipop. Blue taco eyes, like blue Airheads, you taste like my dream."

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Writing

Ode to Sonia Melara

by Jose Martin Gomez, 826 Valencia

This poem celebrates a special person in the writer's life.

"Dear brave Sonia Melara You are responsible for accomplishing goals as an executive director You make the world bright like the stars"

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Writing

Beans, Rice, and Chicken

by Victor, 826 Valencia

An ode to Beans, Rice, and Chicken.

"Oh Beans, Rice, and Chicken, you give people energy to control their bodies. You keep me alive."

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Writing

Shout-Out Poem

by Anjum, 826CHI

A shout-out poem to some things missed (Hyderabad) and celebrated (Mom).

"Here’s to my best friend Mahek, because when I am sad or bored she cracks jokes and makes me happy."

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“It feels good to have my voice out there and that I have left a mark on this world, even if it's small.”

- Brandon R.

Grade 11, 826LA

“I think the biggest impact it has had on me is the realization that other people see the writing I do. Other people can also refer to me as a writer, and it's not just me. It makes me want to improve and do better.”

- Bless A.

Grade 9, 826 Boston

“It always feels like an honor when someone shares their writing because writing is a physical form of somebody's vulnerability and it's special to see that when I get the chance.”

- Justis P.

Grade 9, 826 Boston

“[Being published is important] because our voices need to be forefronted if we want to reimagine this world.”

- Anton J.

Grade 12, 826 MSP

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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