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.
Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.
"My Black is not afraid anymore. My Black is stronger than before. My Black are leaders, believers, and dreamers. My Black will take no more, And for that, we will soar."
In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.
"Will my brother make it home tonight? Or will he be caught at the wrong place at the wrong time? Just another Donnell Thompson."
A personal narrative about race and identity.
"When my mom picked me up, I jumped in our long black car and told her what happened and her first response was, 'I don’t care what any of those kids say. You’re black, don’t let nobody tell you nothin’ different.'"
A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.
"While Goerge Floyd's death was tragic, it shouldn’t just be tragic to me because I’m Black. I firmly believe that as a human it should be tragic to see a fellow human die in such a horrible way. It felt like I was expected to give out the mystical “not racist” approval stamp."
A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.
"It's ok, Black Women, it's okay. If your counterparts won't protect you, Then I will. Let go of the invisible burden on your shoulder And rest on me."
In this personal narrative, a student explores growing up young and black in Chicago.
"For me, it’s hard to be a young black girl. I don’t feel safe around people that make fun of my skin color and don’t know who I truly am. Nowadays, I want to relive my younger days when I didn’t have to worry as much. I was free to love everything. Getting older, I notice everything. I feel more responsible and alone."
A bilingual poem that expresses the love of one's culture and people.
:I am a Dominican, proud of my people, Strong and bright, like the sun’s warm ripple."
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"
Part riddle, part observations, this poem leaves the reader with big things to think about.
"Everyone has a puzzle Dedicated to their troop Mixed with family friends and others Who will fill the whole group"
This poem shares the writer's love for music with the world.
"Music makes me feel like home The beat of music pounds like my heart goes on and on. The music fills me up just like pouring water on a glass."
Full of exquisite imagery, this poem explores the idea of second chances.
"The songbirds whisper enchanted secrets. Tunes only I can decipher. I chase the melodies into the night."
This poem tells the story of a courageous little bird.
"Baby bird was full of fear And he didn’t want to shed a tear He didn’t want to budge So he needed a lunge To learn how to fly"
A powerful acrostic poem that shares an encouraging message.
"M mighty people we got this"
Poems, stories, and visions from the next generation of powerful female voices.
This poem uses metaphors and similes to explore many dualities of the narrator's life.
"I am the definition of self-made. From my open-minded spirit like the valleys in California that go on and on for years to my independence like a lion queen running her pack."
This student describes what it would be like to become the first female president, campaigning on education for all, friendlier attitudes, more food and housing, and snow days!
"When I become president, I would like for every single child to get their full education. I would also like for the people to have more food and more housing."
In this poem, a student reflects on identity.
"I am a young woman! I don’t know what it means yet, I act like a child. My body is a pretty perfect young woman who knows what she wants but my mind is a little girl."
An argument against the wage gap that prevails in the U.S. and across the globe.
"'Oh,' you may say, 'I know the wage gap! It’s gone in the U.S. now, right?' It is nowhere close to gone."
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. Women and girls don’t need to walk around unconfident or afraid of being rejected."
In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.
"I am every color of the rainbow and every flavor of ice cream I am kissed by the sun and hugged by the moon I am chaos and peace and everything in between"
A student reflects on what it takes to stand up to bullies and speak up for others.
"My mom and I were on a crowded bus and I saw a girl named Penny. She was wearing a sweater that had a big eye on it and it was moving. Yes, it was a googly eye. Penny was also getting bullied by three big boys and I wondered, “Should I go say something?”
A student argues for the importance of transgender rights in response to current events.
"Can you imagine being picked on or verbally or physically abused in the bathroom? Can you imagine going to the opposite one because the law forced you to? This is a reality for many people in America."
A student reflects on a small moment and single sacrifice that transformed her outlook on giving.
"As I walked to my house, I kept remembering the man’s expression and how I felt fulfilled by doing something good for someone without expecting any benefits. I found myself skipping and jumping in the rain, enjoying the feeling that I had and embracing the fact that people who do good feel good."
Through redefining a label, a student reclaims a piece of their identity.
"At my last school we had to have a partner. So this girl, her skin was way lighter than me. She had to work with me but she didn’t want to."
A story about what to do when one witnesses bullying.
"Kindness is important because it could make someone feel really happy when they are sad. If you want to be friends then ask instead of bullying someone to get her attention because it is more kind."
An intriguing and educational essay discussing environmental consciousness and the devastating effects of global warming.
"Why should kids care about global warming? How will global warming affect us? How does what we do affect global warming? And how do we fix it?"
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.