“Within these pages, you’ll meet a scientist and ant alien duo who ‘saved the world, and continued to be friends’ while bringing insect justice to Earth; taco superheroes with a ‘taco truck . . . as fast as a rocket’; and sisters who survive a 2125 regime and change their destiny with ‘one press of the button.’ These stories invite us into worlds of wonder, struggle, courage, and hope.”
—Tony Weaver, Jr., author, educator, and storyteller
No Ordinary Dreamer is now available for pre-order coming this August 2026! 🎉✨
Featuring wondrous worlds, visions of the future, and heroic reflections, this anthology showcases the work of extraordinary young authors in grades 5–12 from across the country with a special foreword from author, educator, and storyteller Tony Weaver, Jr.!
Receive 20% off your copy with code: 826DREAMER
In this book, anything is possible.
You’ll dive into incredible new worlds—including an endless ocean planet where one glowing lighthouse may be the only thing keeping the darkness away. You’ll meet Bob, a chef and SUPA-HERO who believes “all villains are just hangry people.” You’ll encounter scientists and ant-aliens fighting insect injustice, kids standing up to bullies, strangers becoming unlikely allies, and young people discovering courage they didn’t know they had. These stories and poems won’t just transport you to fantastical new places—they might change the way you see your own world, too.
Science fiction opens doors. It asks: What if?
What if kindness could change the future? What if ordinary people became heroes? What if imagining a better world was the first step toward building one?
These young writers are dreaming up new planets, strange technologies, and unforgettable adventures—but they’re also exploring hope, courage, justice, and belonging along the way.
“This is no ordinary book. It’s not just a collection of superhero and science fiction stories; it’s a portal that takes you straight into our thoughts and feelings. It’s a book about fighting challenges in young people’s lives, about the healing that comes afterward, and about finding yourself in the process.”
–The 826 National Student Advisory Board:
Aisosa Erhamwonyi, Grade 11, 826NYC
Athena Caasi, Grade 9, 826NYC
Benjamin Risher, Grade 8, 826DC
Emma Fisher, Grade 8, 826DC
Everton Morrison, Grade 8, 826DC
Katherine George, Grade 8, 826DC
Rowan Yordy, Grade 12, 826michigan
Taylor Tropez, Grade 12, 826 New Orleans
Ziad El Jundi, Grade 10, 826NYC
Zola Lucas, Grade 9, 826DC
In the fall of 2025, 826 National partnered with Tony Weaver, Jr., acclaimed author of Weirdo, to create “Write Your Power,” an 826 Digital lesson exploring world-building, character development, speculative fiction, and poetry offering students an avenue to storytell. Hundreds of young writers accepted the challenge, crafting fantastical worlds, unlikely superheroes, and powerful journeys of self-discovery and the result was the inspiring body of work we announce today, No Ordinary Dreamer.
Celebrate 74 young authors with us as they remind us that writing is power: the power to imagine new worlds, challenge limitations, and shape the future they are already creating.