Explore the newest 826 books by young writers across the country! From whimsical odes to frogs to impassioned letters to the United States, these books showcase the boundless creativity, imagination, and ingenuity of young people.
Explore the 826 Summer Reading List below:
From 826 National
Let This Be Our Anthem
Across the country, young people are raising their voices to show their elected leaders they are ready for change. In this new anthology from 826 National, students ages 8—18 write directly to the next president of the United States. Based on a prompt from New York Times bestselling author Javier Zamora, students share their stories, personal histories, and thoughts on the issues that matter most to them.
This book represents a collective call to action, with pieces ranging from personal anecdotes about the life of a student in the United States to poems about the American Dream to well-researched articles on major social and political issues. Through it all, these pieces establish an undeniable truth: the young people of our country demand to be heard.
- Inspired by Javier Zamora’s 826 Digital prompt, “Hear Me Out”
- Beautiful four-color illustrations throughout
From 826 Boston
What if the World Needs You? Advice and Life Lessons from 826 Boston Students
In collaboration with Nosy Crow Inc.; foreword by Meredith Goldstein
Students from across 826 Boston’s programs crafted a special anthology for young readers (ages 5-10), full of stories that share an important piece of advice. From reimagined Greek myths to quirky advice columns, this anthology will offer wisdom and whimsy, all crafted by kids for kids. Get ready to be challenged, moved, and inspired by these young voices’ raw creativity and fearless storytelling!
- In collaboration with Nosy Crow Inc. Stories Aloud
- Full-colored illustrations throughout by students + professional illustrator
- Student Editorial Board Members featured in Love Letters podcast with Meredith Goldstein
From 826CHI
Indomitable Forces | Fuerzas indómitas | Незламні сили | قوى لا تقهر | Writing from the students of Wells High School
“There is no greater gesture of generosity than authenticity.”
— Érika Ordosgoitti, from the foreword
In Indomitable Forces, students of Wells High School examine this concept of belongingness and liberation, more specifically critiquing how to be a free agent in an unfree world and lean into writing about all of life’s moments.
- Student writing is translated into students’ mother tongue by professional translators (4 languages, English, Spanish, Ukrainian, & Arabic)
- Foreword by Venezuelan performance artist, Érika Ordosgoitti
- Cover design by Ukrainian graphic designer, Aliona Solomadina
From 826DC
When Duty Calls
It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s an incredible book of original heroes and warriors! Sixth-grade students from Brookland Middle School spent the school year discussing what makes heroes and warriors, how we build and show who characters are, and what figurative writing can do. The result? A powerful collection of can’t-miss characters whose adventures reflect—or distort—aspects of the young authors’ real lives.
Foreword by Kat Chow, illustrations by Zoe Lin, and design by Dave Kriebel.
From 826LA
Memorias Grabadas
Memorias Grabadas es un heart wrenching and soft libro, del cual muchas personas pueden relacionarse en diferentes maneras. Each narrative honors a meaningful memory from their young lives, described in great detail and paired with a song and lyrics that is reflective of their story. In the journey as English learners, these authors have beautifully used their voices to create a book that takes readers on an emotional jump through time. The students’ writing feels like a whisper between the song lyrics of their corazones and memorias. These writers, each in their own way, show us that music has the power to transform and transport you. Next time you find yourself with a morning cafecito and concha, ready to press play on your favorite playlist, do yourself a favor y lee este libro.
From 826michigan
Secret Life of Frogs
The Secret Life of Frogs is a collection of seventeen poems about frogs and the natural world written by 79 brilliant third-grade poets from University Prep Science & Math Elementary School in Detroit. Featuring gorgeous illustrations from a very special local artist, Darius Baber, and a stunning design (featuring a peek-a-boo cover!) by Oliver Uberti, this fun collection is perfect for all the nature lovers in your life.
From 826 MSP
Something You Should Know About Us
Something You Should Know About Us will wrap you up in the sights, smells, and tastes of the truest sense of home. In this anthology written by fourth graders in Saint Paul, Minnesota, you’re invited to explore the foods, places, and memories that make up who they are, and their questions for our leaders reveal the issues closest to their hearts. The words of these young authors will leave you hungry for more!
- In collaboration with writer Monica Rojas
- Tantalizing and poignant takes on food, family, and our future
- Written by fourth-grade students from Saint Paul, Minn.
From 826 New Orleans
The Resilient Soul of NOLA: Unmasking Youth Mental Health in New Orleans
In this collection, youth writers from New Orleans take you on a journey, wandering down avenues and wondering through thoughts. Featuring many personal narratives and poems, The Resilient Soul of NOLA shines a light on the inner life of the city’s young residents.
- Edited by the talented 826 New Orleans Youth Writers’ Council
- Featuring a powerful foreword by filmmaker Edward Buckles
From 826NYC
The Lights Are Bright Everywhere I Look
The Lights Are Bright Everywhere I Look is your VIP ticket to New York City as viewed through the eyes and hearts of P.S. 316 Elijah G. Stroud Elementary’s fifth grade creative writing students. This anthology includes argumentative essays on the NYC places that are most important to them, to their communities, and to the world. Inside, you’ll find essays that transport you to some of New York’s most iconic landmarks, its most relaxing natural oases, tastiest cookouts, and welcoming living rooms.
You’ll also find inspiring poetry and art prints by students at P.S. 1, part of a collaboration between 826NYC and the Brooklyn Museum exploring the connections that bring us all together as New Yorkers. Step through the turnstile and join us in this celebration of NYC culture and community.
From 826 Valencia
Universe of Memories
Universe of Memories is a collection of writing from the 12th grade students of Balboa High School. After exploring Daniel Nayeri’s Everything Sad is Untrue, reflecting on themes and characters, and doing a variety of creative writing activities, students created their own original autoethnography—a story from your life that helps you understand and celebrate you, your brilliance, your place in the world and in your culture.
The resulting writing is immensely self-reflective, engaging, and important. In the words of Daniel Nayeri: “The writers in this collection are as varied in style and voice and background as a box of crayons. They shine in the colors of their individual memories, their singular experiences. And yet, they are—as all artists must—telling us, ‘Isn’t it interesting that we’re crayons after all?’”