In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, 826LA dedicates this publication to all of those who have helped make our community what it is, what it was, and what it will become.
Thank you to the students, volunteers, educators, donors, staff, community partners, and time-travelers who have filled the last 20 years with such creativity, joy, and hope.
We look forward to another 20 years in partnership!
THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY THE STUDENTS OF MS. CHUC’S 6TH AND 7TH GRADE CLASSES AT FRANKLIN DUAL LANGUAGE ACADEMY IN SPRING 2024.
The views expressed in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of 826LA. We support student publishing and are thrilled you picked up this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Este libro fue escrito por los alumnos de las clases de 6to y 7mo de Ms. Chuc en Franklin Dual Language Academy la primavera del 2024.
Las opiniones expresadas en este libro pertenecen a los autores y no reflejan necesariamente las de 826LA. En nuestra organización, apoyamos la publicación de autores jóvenes y estamos felices que hayan recogido este libro.
Todos los derechos son reservados. La reproducción total o parcial de este libro sin autorización escrita del editor está prohibida.
Editor(s):
Maddie Silva
Julia Malinow
Cover Artwork:
Elizabeth Fernandez
Book Design:
Elizabeth Fernandez
A World of our Own
Written by the Students of Franklin Dual Language Academy in Spring 2024
The Baseball Dream, Jesse ............................................................................................
Working for a Game...Because Why Not, Jovany Gutierrez ..................................
Perfection, Ramon R......................................................................................................... Family, Sydney ....................................................................................................................
Mi Mamá, Romina Medina Rojas .....................................................................................
How To Become a Nurse, Aiden Rios ...........................................................................
Just Breathe, Aurelia Martinez ........................................................................................ Light and Dark, Space of Dreams, Hiroshi ............................................................... Hoops Basketball Swish, Jair Serna .............................................................................
Inspired by the Game, Annia M.C. ...............................................................................
A Land of My Dreams, Arturo D.C. ...............................................................................
The Art of Baseball, Tre .................................................................................................
A Journey to Success, Diego Rodriguez Davalos ........................................................
The Love of Romance, Anonymous ...............................................................................
My Dream, Anonymous ..................................................................................................... NBA Basketball, Jayden .................................................................................................. Veterinarian, Jennifer Jimenez-Serrato ........................................................................... Football, Kelvin .................................................................................................................
I Love Football, Mario .....................................................................................................
The NFL Dream, Omar Molina Benitez ............................................................................ Tulips, Stacy ........................................................................................................................
Soccer, Victor Portillo ........................................................................................................
My Great Dream / Mi Grandioso Sueño, Yocelyn Ortega Contreras........................
PART IV...........................................................................................................................
A Small Reminder, Calista F. ......................................................................................... Greatest of All Time, David Lopez Artiaga ..................................................................
The Tackle Kid, Diego .....................................................................................................
My Inspirational Graffiti, Emery R. ............................................................................ I Like, Gabriela Alvarez Napoles ........................................................................................ The Day You Left Me, Keyla Diego ............................................................................... Fortune, M.A......................................................................................................................
No Regrets, Nico Olson-Roe ............................................................................................ Home Run, Santiago .........................................................................................................
The 23XI Racing Team, Shawn ..................................................................................... A Place to Myself, Eddie O’Neill ................................................................................... Acknowledgements
introduction
Flip to any poem in this book and you will step into a dream.
In A World of Our Own, the student authors from Franklin Dual Language Academy invite you to dream alongside them. There’s something for everyone–dreams of college graduation, elite athletic careers, globe-trotting travels, and more. Above all, the poets describe futures filled with compassion and ambition. As evidenced by the words on these pages, these bright futures are already well under way.
This book is the second publication partnership between the staff and volunteers of 826LA and the students and educators of Franklin Dual Language Academy. Across three sessions, students worked with 826LA volunteers to brainstorm, write, and polish their poems for publication. For many of the students, this is their first time as published authors.
On behalf of 826LA, thank you for choosing to read this book. We hope you enjoy it!
Maddie Silva
When I dream, I think of birds, flying high above the ground. Soaring free, to high places, but all the time safe and sound. When I dream, I think of the buzzing of a busy bee. When I dream, I think of the ocean and its salty breeze. So I sit and I want to travel, see all there is to see. Climb aboard a big noisy ship, and sail across the great blue sea. I want to be busy, I want to be ambitious. But sometimes doubt creeps in, like a thief acting suspicious. Planning something big and bad, its intentions always malicious. So then I think of helping people, making them healthy, giving some relief. Helping them and their families avoid any big grief. I want to find cures and bring families together. I want to take away their illness and make them live forever. This time doubt can’t switch off this dream, not even with a great big lever. And so I become certain that the future is no longer scary. I know what I will do, and I believe in myself very. I will go to college, and I will study medicine. And I will also study the human skeleton. These dreams are nice, like a faraway kite, Blowing in the breeze, and resting at night. They smell like a colorful meadow, Like an autumn breeze, oh so mellow. And I would love to think, I will always have this dream.
A Better World
Olivia Perez
Olivia is a middle schooler from Los Angeles. She likes to perform science experiments, scrapbook, and hang out with friends.
In a world filled with chaos and strife, Where hatred and violence are rife, We must come together as one, And work towards peace for everyone. Let us put aside our differences, And embrace love and tolerance, For in unity lies our strength, To create a world free from hate’s length. Let compassion be our guiding light, And kindness our weapon of fight, Let’s build bridges instead of walls, And answer hatred’s trumpetlike calls. For in a world where peace reigns, We can all break free from chains, And live in harmony and love, soaring through life as a dove. So let us join hands and hearts, And for a better world, let’s start, In spreading peace far and wide, For a world where all love will abide.
Untitled Anonymous
Eli was born in 2011 and has the dream to get into a good college.
Eager Lightning Imagination
Vacation Epic Nature Try Unique Read Acceptance
The author is from Los Angeles and likes playing games with friends. He lives with his parents and loves them very much.
Eager Magnificent Intelligent Loyal Idol
Optimistic
Marvelous Observant
Nice
Resilient
Overjoyed
Young
Genesis Meija’s Dreams
Genesis Mejia
Genesis was born in Los Angeles, California. She wants to go to college where she can study to be a veterinarian. Her favorite thing to do is hang out with friends and have fun.
Generous as a veterinarian helping an animal
Excellent as getting amazing job opportunities
Nice as a golden retriever
Easy as wind breezing onto my face
Satisfying as leaves falling off a tree at the park
Incredible as getting into the college you dreamed of getting into Spectacular as a star in the dark night sky.
Society
Isaiah Gomez
Isaiah likes dogs.
Money is like food. We need it to survive and to thrive. Without money or food, like veggies and fruits, and also meat, we are all dead.
And people are just like fruit and meat. We all eventually expire.
The Baseball Dream
Jesse
Jesse was born in 2010 and he loves playing baseball and soccer, but he’s better at baseball. Jesse has played travel ball.
When I think about baseball, I feel happy. My big dream is to make it to the MLB. Baseball is life.
I want to be second base. Swing swing swing.
Working for a Game….. Because Why Not
Jovany Gutierrez
Jovanny likes video games with action. He was born in Los Angeles and his age is 12 for now. He likes blue.
Goal: To get Five Nights At Freddy’s Help Wanted 2 on the Meta Quest 2.
Five Nights At Freddy’s Help Wanted 2 is $39.99 (It has been out for a long time but on the Meta Quest 2, it’s coming out next month.)
1. If I can get money, like $5, I can save it for a Meta Quest gift card.
2. I can work for $20 so I can have $25, and then I will need $25 for a $50 gift card.
3. I can work again for $25 for the gift card and then I can buy it for $50.
Perfection
Ramon R.
Ramon is from California. Ramon was born in 2010. Ramon is 13 years old. Ramon loves playing sports. Ramon enjoys doing math. Ramon likes scary things.
What I see a perfect world would look like
A very peaceful world and what I see would be perfect
With everything that I have ever wished for
A clear and blue sky like the ocean
A sunset over the ocean sky
The sun goes down as it goes dark
A full moon is on its way
The moon that looks like an eye
Now you rest your eyes as it starts to become sunny
When your eyes open and start to wake up
A world as perfect as a diamond
A world with eternal peace
A world with everything you ever wished for
A sky as clear and blue as the sea
As the sun falls over the ocean sky
The sun goes down as it goes dark
A full moon starts to rise
As the moon rises more, looking like an endless void
Now it is time to rest as it goes pitch black
Now a new day has begun with the same cycle
Family
Sydney
Sydney is a 12-year-old writer from Highland Park. She likes to read, watch movies, and bake. She wrote this poem about family and loved ones.
Flourishing love, like flowers in the sun
Always cared for My worries flow away I wish for time, I wish for Loved ones to reunite like our sun and moon in a solar eclipse
You wish for more, but you can never have enough
Mi Mamá
Romina Medina Rojas
Romina es una estudiante de 6to grado. A ella le gusta pintar y cantar.
Ella vive en Los Ángeles. A ella le gusta ser porrista.
Mi mamá es como una flor y siempre nos cuida
Mi mamá me hace sentir feliz cuando estoy triste
Mi mamá nos hace comida de su tierra
Mi mamá trabaja duro para que nosotras estemos bien
Mi mamá es graciosa y tiene una sonrisa que es contagiosa
Mi mamá le gusta bailar y cantar
Mi mamá nos protege como un superhéroe
My mom is like a flower and always takes care of us
My mom makes me feel happy when I’m sad
My mom makes us food from her land
My mom works hard so that we are well
My mom is funny and she has a smile that is contagious
My mom likes to dance and sing
My mom protects us like a superhero
How to Become a Nurse
Aiden Rios
Aiden is a funny and nice person. He loves soccer. He has been playing soccer since he was ten years old. He lives with his family and wants to grow up to be a nurse. His favorite pets are dogs and hamsters.
A nurse for the old
Intelligent
Dragon-type walls
Empathy
Nurse for the kids
Record patients
Integrity as speaking
Old people need help
Set up plans for patients
Just Breathe
Aurelia Martinez
Aurelia is a smart and unique student from Los Angeles. Her hobbies are reading and listening to music. She loves traveling and having fun with friends and family.
Reading into the feelings etched in your heart
Elongating on the couch with a book in my hands
Lifting your foot for every step in your life, taking time to consider
Acoustic guitar echoing in my ears
Xmas pine wreaths filling my nose with the scent of cinnamon and sugar
I sing in an empty field covered in flowers
Nighttime fantasies drifting through my mind in bed
Gazing at the stars from my outside table on the porch
Just breathe
Light and Dark, Space of Dreams
Hiroshi
Hiroshi is a smart and kind writer from Los Angeles. He loves to read adventures and watches shows every weekend. He lives with his brother and his parents in Los Angeles.
When I dream, I think of being in space with beautiful stars shining so bright.
It feels like there is peace everywhere.
When I think about it, I feel like there is infinite space, like there are many places to be at.
When I think of it, the sound is so beautiful that there is magic everywhere.
My dream reminds me of a place where there is magic, lots of nature, and places to explore.
It is as beautiful as magic and nature.
When I dream of it, I think of darkness and light in the same space, with stars, and planets in the same area as me. It is as cold as winter, as dark as black, and as bright as the color white.
As quiet as a snail, as beautiful as a peacock. Whenever I go there, I feel like all the weight of all the problems I had are all gone.
I feel light as a feather, as beautiful as a meteor shower. Beautiful stars shining as light, in the face of darkness. The future looks, sounds, feels like magic and feels free like space.
Hoops Basketball Swish
Jair Serna
Jair loves to play basketball. He also hopes to have a golden retriever in the future. Some of Jair’s hobbies are to sketch, cook, listen to music, and to watch the NBA. Jair lives in Los Angeles with his two siblings and parents.
Bouncing the ball as high as the Eiffel Tower
A sport that is enthusiastic
Shooting the ball into the basket
Kind teammates as supportive as me
Everyone is cheering on the teams
Teamwork makes the dreamwork
Balls keep going in the hoops
Assists as smooth as butter
Locking in to win the game
Level up
McDonald’s
Josue Gonzalez
Josue likes basketball and is Mexican. He also likes video games and dogs. Josue also likes McDonald’s chicken nuggets.
My favorite place is the PlayPlace because its feels just like a dream
Chicken nuggets that make me feel more special than my birthday
Did McDonald’s use magic because there is always a good feeling there
Oreo McFlurry smells like a different planet
No one knows how McDonald’s makes their chicken nuggets
After every Friday I go to the PlayPlace
Licking the salt on the french fries, making a crunch sound
During eating you always just want more
Salty french fries making you feel great
A Successful Life
Kaylee Cazares
Kaylee is a funny, loving, and kind girl. She loves to talk to all her friends. Her favorite food is Chick-Fil-A. She lives with her mom and her little brother. Her favorite music artist is Kendrick Lamar. She listens to R&B most of the time. She was raised in Highland Park.
My dream is to become very successful in life. When I think about it, it’s like lounging on the beach, while listening to the peaceful sounds of the waves. While trying to have a successful life, I’ll make sure my mother will live the life she never lived as a kid, seeing her happy like a dolphin splashing around in the ocean. By becoming successful, I need to keep my grades up like a plane getting ready to fly into the sky.
The Library Dream
Kimiko Ochi
Kimiko is a smart student from Santa Monica. She loves to read fantasy books and has a close friend group she sees every month. She lives in Los Angeles with her parents, sister, and dog.
When I dream, I think of pages turning, the aroma of books in the air. The quiet clicking of a keyboard, and the single beep of the scanner interrupting the peaceful silence.
The soft whoosh of books sliding into their rightful places. The quiet haven of a library carefully sheltered from the world.
Soft murmuring from students working harmoniously in the corner, asking the right questions and finally receiving answers.
The closing and opening doors, the portal to reality, just outside the blissful peace.
People coming and leaving, familiar faces, but new ones as well.
Tall wooden columns devoted to holding thousands of books, or as I think of them, gateways to different realities.
Stories about robots, gods, and elves. Worlds of mischief, mayhem, and magic.
Lore, logic, and love. Chaotic, creative, and caring. This is my dream. Clear as day, bright as a thousand stars.
Clothes
Anonymous
The author is a girl from Los Angeles. She loves to eat, play games, watch Studio Ghibli movies, and draw. She lives with her mom, grandma, and dog. She hates bullies, talking in front of crowds, loud chewing noises, messing up a drawing, and burnt toast.
Colorful clothes like, Long necklaces, pretty as flowers
Oh, how they sway in the wind. The bracelets go jingle-jangle
Hats soft and fuzzy as dog’s fur
Especially in the cold when we say “burr” See my clothes and see my moods in full color.
Dreams
Victoria Zepeda
Victoria is kind. She likes basketball. She likes cats and dogs. She likes rap music and she was raised in Los Angeles. She has dogs at her dad’s house. Her favorite food is french fries. She wants to become a lawyer and live in New York.
Very committed to my goals and aspirations
I see myself getting into New York University
Clever as my cat who is loving and loyal.
Organized as straight A’s
Romantic as music
Tenderhearted as a puppy I see myself as a lawyer
As fancy and rich as a cat
Zero failure in work
Elegant as leather
Pretty as baby breath
Emotional as rain
Delightful as a butterfly
Affectionate as a bunny
Waiting Room
Viviana Fanter
Viviana is a funny person and has a kind heart. She has five siblings and her favorite sport is soccer. She loves listening to music and is a caring person.
My dream is to be a doctor
When I picture it, it’s like the ceiling is the floor and everything is white When I imagine being a doctor, it feels scary because of the pressure When I imagine helping people, I see joy and smiles It’s like a cool breeze and the warm sun
Inspired by the Game
Annia M.C
Annia was born in Mexico. She is a seventh grader. She loves to play sports.
Aiming high, reaching for the sky, looking at the volleyball boing-boing
Never give up, always willing to try
Never backing down from challenge, always ready to fight
Inspired by the game, her passion burning bright as the sun
Always striving to improve, to be the best she can be
A Land of My Dreams
Arturo D.C.
Arturo is funny and kind and from Los Angeles. He loves basketball, graphic novels, and video games. He lives with his dog, his brothers, and parents.
An NBA arena is cool
Ready as a full team
Together as a team
Understanding life as a child
Responsible for my actions like an adult
Oso (Bear in Spanish)
Dog owner of a chill chihuahua
Unique as a superhero power
Real as a living thing
Alive as the waves of an ocean
NBA is the best league in my opinion
A Journey to Success
Diego Rodriguez Davalos
Tre was born in LA on September 27th, 2010. Tre loves to play baseball and build Legos.
Bats go boom!
Always cheering
Sliding makes the dirt kick up
Edge of the strike zone in painting
Balls fly far
Air is fresh at the games
Losers don’t win
Leaving the game sucks
Diego is a funny and kind writer from Los Angeles. He’s currently a seventh grader living in Los Angeles. He loves skateboarding and playing baseball with his friends here in Los Angeles.
When I dream of baseball, I think of baseball fields
Baseball bats
Jerseys and fans cheering in the background
The fields are fresh as vegetables in a salad and the players slide in the dirt like steak cooking on butter
The cleats and bats smell as fresh as a Frangipani flower
My dreams remind me of success, just like graduating from high school and going to college where I start a journey to success
The future looks like flashing lights and people and bodyguards and fans surrounding me
It sounds like people asking questions and for autographs.
The Love of Romance
Anonymous
The author is a weird and kind girl from Los Angeles. She loves romance and fantasy stuff. She lives with her family and dog.
Beat beat goes the little heart
Chirp chirp goes the birds that feel
My heart yearns for a love to call its own
Thy heart yearns for arms and legs to run and find love
The heart as fragile as a rose
*
Bark bark goes the little puppy
Walk walk goes the people boarding
Drop drop goes the petals of cherry blossoms
The petals dance as they touch the ground
The petals and animals as fragile as flowers
The petals and animals play together
*
To the sun and moon, I’ll always love you so
You’re like the warm sun on a rainy night
Though you can’t be seen, you are so beautiful
Your beauty unmatched from the flowers that spread
You’re like a dandelion flying in the air with your beauty
And I will always love you so
*
You’re like a snake
Slithering when I’m not there in the darkness
waiting to strike
Your cold dark nature is interesting
Though I still love you so and your mischievous nature
A panda plush as cuddly as you
Your cute nature as a panda is so addicting
The cute ears you have, as cute as a panda
You’re like a panda and that’s why I love you so
My sisters
*
To the Milky Way and galaxy
Your dark brown hair is like a mountain so dark and chocolate-like
Your eyes like a crow, dark and mysterious
Your personality so funny like a hyena and stupid like fish
I will still love my Leon so
*
Lilies the color of your eyes, so beautiful
Your voice as soft as silk, so calming
Your scent like cotton candy, addicting
And your hair like cherry blossoms
And your eyes like the big blue sky
Your touch as light as a dove
*
Your fur as black as the night
Your eyes like a tapioca ball
Your cute tail
My little doggie
Frankie
*
Me the looks of a deer or cat
For you to see
You are the judge of it
My Dream
Anonymous
The author is funny and sometimes mean. He loves Harry Potter and nature. He loves cats and is not a dog person. He is a 7th grader in Los Angeles. He doesn’t care about what people say or think of him.
It looks, sounds, feels, smells, tastes like a rainy day in the woods, a rainy river cabin dripping water. There is a whistle coming from the kitchen.
I’m walking through a city seeing new people drinking a cup of coffee. My dreams remind me of sitting in a glass apartment looking at the freeway filled with cars.
I see a plane going off, it’s dark and it’s raining outside the wind going through my knees. Sleeping, dreaming of a place like Harry Potter’s forest.
I’m looking at the ocean thinking of going inside, I went inside the clear water, fishes and seals swimming. As I looked at them, I was thinking if I was one of them.
NBA Basketball Jayden
Jayden is a seventh grader born in Los Angeles. He loves basketball, football, and video games. In his free time he plays basketball and football. He goes to Franklin Middle School. Jayden is also on the basketball team.
The NBA is crazy, it looks like fun, only a few can make it, it’s one of the best sports, I enjoy playing basketball, some players take risks and go straight to the NBA, the ball sounds like “bounce-bounce”, the ball is brown and orange, it’s shaped like a sphere, one day I wish to be in the NBA and win championships
Veterinarian
Jennifer Jimenez-Serrato
Jennifer is in the seventh grade and she lives in Los Angeles. She loves to play soccer and softball. She also likes hanging out with her friends.
Vets help animals
Exciting to work with pets
To help families
Effect
Rescue animals that need help
Interesting to work with different kind of animals
Nurse back to health
Animals cured
Rabbits, dogs, cats, and hamsters
Important to take care of pets in the right way
Animals healed
No more pain
Football
Kelvin
Kelvin is a 7th grader who lives in Los Angeles. During his free time he enjoys playing football and video games with his friends.
Football is fun to play with friends.
Official player is my dream.
Organizing is my strategy for when I play.
Tired as a sloth when I finish the game.
Ball is brown as chocolate. The sound of the football sounds like a whoosh.
Annoying referee is blind and unfair.
Love is for football.
Los Angeles has football teams called Rams and Chargers.
Mario
Mario is currently living in Los Angeles. He loves his mom and his dogs. He also likes to play football. He loves to play with his dogs.
Fun and dangerous
Outside sport
Outstanding moves
Touchdown celebration
Break it down
Appear out of nowhere
Loser feels sad
Last game of the season
The
NFL Dream
Omar Molina Benitez
Omar Molina is active and plays too much. He is from LA. Playing with Jayden and Alexis at school is fun for him. He dreams of being in the NFL one day.
I had a dream that I was in the NFL
The ball goes phew, phew, phew, then a catch with the gloves, then a touch on the ground for the touchdown, for the six points, then a turnover to the other team, then a fumble
Tulips
Stacy
Stacy is a sweet person and caring. She is a writer from Highland Park. She loves her friends and family.
My dream as a student is to finish college and become a doctor. I dream of a field of flowers, clear sky, and fresh air. It reminds me of two things, the thought of a doctor as smart and as fast as dolphins. I hope one day to be a doctor in the future. That is my goal in life.
Soccer
Victor Portillo
Victor Portillo is hardworking. He likes soft tacos and soccer. He plays every day. He wants to be a professional soccer player. Victor likes to play Rust with his friends.
When I dream, I think of soccer
Soccer looks fun
Soccer is a good sport
Soccer gets my mind off school
My Great Dream
Yocelyn Ortega Contreras
Yocelyn is a writer from Los Angeles. She lives with her family and she likes to spend time with her family. She likes to draw and play basketball. Her family is from Mexico and her dream is to become a doctor.
Sun that appears every day through the window
Unique like its shine
Never goes out, it always shines, that way I want to shine when I achieve my dream
Sharpen the needle, the cotton soft as a sheep, my dream sounds like this
Hearing the noise of the heart monitor going beep beep beep every second
Ideal for me is my dream because being a doctor is a good thing
New for me is this dream because I just discovered it, and I know that I will shine like a star
Enough for me, it would be achieving my dream
Mi Grandioso Sueño
Yocelyn Ortega Contreras
Sol que aparece todos los días por la ventana
Único como su brillo
Nunca se apaga, siempre brilla, así quiero brillar cuando logre mi sueño
Afilada la aguja, el algodón suave como una oveja, mi sueño suena así
Escuchar el ruido del monitor cardíaco emitiendo bip, bip, bip cada segundo
Ideal para mí es mi sueño porque ser médico es algo bueno
Nuevo para mí es este sueño porque lo acabo de descubrir y sé que brillaré como una estrella
Suficiente para mi, sería lograr mi sueño
A Small Reminder
Calista F.
Calista F. is a smart girl. She loves to draw and garden. The number three is her favorite number. Her dream job is to be an animator.
I see a forest in front of me
The foggy ground tickles my feet
As I start to make my way through the forest
I see a vibrant blue jellyfish
It floats around aimlessly like a balloon without its string
The scent of chocolate cake fills my nose
I close my eyes for a second
When I open my eyes, the jellyfish is gone
As I continue to walk through the forest
I see a door glowing as bright as a star
Curiosity gets the best of me
I open the door
The scent of chocolate gets stronger
It was my room, the room was a light pink
I saw that it was the memory of my fifth birthday
The younger me sat on a chair, I had the biggest grin on my face
That smile could warm up the coldest of hearts
My laughter filled the room
I was so happy when I turned five that day
Tears prick my eyes
I changed so much that I didn’t realize I was perfect the way I was
A bunch of vibrant colors flash in front of me
When I wake up, I realize that the dream was telling me
That I don’t need to change for anyone.
Greatest Of All Time
David Lopez Artiaga
David is 12 years old and wants to become a soccer GOAT and make his parents proud. For now he plays video games, but still plays soccer.
When I dream, I think of…soccer because it feels like a dream to be a soccer player and make my parents proud
It looks like a clear sky
The sun is bright like me becoming a soccer player
Puffy like a soccer-shaped marshmallow
The sun happily eating a burnt marshmallow
Scoring on a short grassy field
Scoring on a short grassy field makes me feel like a winner
My parents, happy like nature
My Inspirational Graffiti
Emery R.
Diego is 12. He likes to play video games and he likes Cheetos.
When I grow up, I want to be a football player with my buddy Gael and because football players make a lot of money. I hear the sound of stacks, of paper shuffling.
And me and my buddy can be famous and we can be in the NFL which is our dream. I see and smell the grass field. The football is being thrown around I hear the crowd cheering.
But I don’t want to risk getting a broken arm or a twisted ankle And my friend Aiden can be a soccer player or a cook, whichever one he wants.
Emery is caring and loyal. She loves loving and loves summer. She lives with her sibling and her two dogs in LA.
You will never catch me tagging I will only do graffiti art
My art speaks to people My art is an inspirational speech
Shhhhhhhh shhhhhhhh shhhhhhhh
As the spray can glides across the wall
I Like
Gabriela Alvarez Napoles
I like animals
I like candy
I like when the skittles crunch!
I like art
I like to create
My brush dances on the paper
I like to collect
I like to do science experiments
I like to play video games
I like to play sports (capture the flag, tag, freeze tag, frisbee, flag football)
When running I am as persistent as a dog
I like stickers
I like watching TV
I like Pokemon
I like to travel and explore
I like choo choo!
Me gusta…
Me gustan los animales
Me gustan los dulces
¡Me gusta cuando los skittles crujen!
Me gusta el arte
Me gusta crear
Mi pincel baila sobre el papel
Me gusta coleccionar
Me gusta hacer experimentos científicos
Me gusta jugar videojuegos
Me gusta practicar deportes (capturar la bandera, la mancha, freeze tag , frisbee, fútbol de bandera)
Cuando corro soy tan persistente como un perro
Me gustan las pegatinas
Me gusta ver la televisión
Me gusta Pokemon
Me gusta viajar y explorar
¡Me gusta el choo choo!
The Day You Left Me
Keyla Diego
Keyla Diego’s favorite color is blue. She loves dogs and the reason she wrote this poem is because she knows people can relate to her story and she wants to share how she feels.
The day you left me was like a puddle of rain, the way you caused me so much pain was too much to burden, the way I was not able see you and meet you, and all I have of you is a photo, my eyes were so foggy I could not see clearly, and somehow I drowned inside of my feelings, the way I saw everyone break down was too much for my eyes, the way I tried to stay strong and not cry, and the way I said I was fine but deep down I was breaking down inside, the way I think of you over and over breaks me inside, the more I try to hide the more that it hurts me inside, if I was able to get to know you, I would have cherished that for the rest of my life.
No Regrets
Nico Olson-Roe
M.A. is a writer from Los Angeles who enjoys going out with friends.
My dream is to have a 3.8 GPA, but staying focused is as hard as getting out of bed in the morning.
My thinking process is as slow as a snail. The blank paper is staring at me with its eyes.
I’m holding the pencil in my hand.
My mentality is in charge of my future.
Nico lives in Los Angeles. He plays video games, watches pro wrestling, and does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He likes to tell jokes and make people laugh.
Waves rock the boat from below
On a journey like no other
Wheels bang and clang against tracks
Wings soar above clouds
To an inspiring destination
The waiter brings another piece of flaky, airy bread Merci, Garçon
I hear the quaint street performers, accordions in hand
The buildings silhouetted against the sky in France
I taste a buttery noodle and
A pizza slice better than any in the world
Rivers ripple through the ancient buildings
The gondolier’s oar cuts the water in Italy
I smell the salty cobalt sea
I pop another juicy olive in my mouth
OPA! OPA!
Ancient columns protrude from the ground in Greece
The streets crowd and bustle day and night
The vibrant colors almost blinding
The aroma of meat and fish
Cutting edge but yet still traditional in South Korea
From the Americas to Europe
Africa to Asia
No regrets along the way
A sense of adventure
My dream is to travel
The 23XI Racing Team
Shawn
Santi is a funny, crazy writer from Highland Park. He loves to watch baseball. He has one amazing dog. He loves to read action books and lives in Los Angeles.
When I dream, I think of being a pro baseball player, Every time I think about baseball, I feel happy, It makes me feel like an excited jumping chihuahua,
The baseball field is as peaceful and sunny as a nice summer day, You can hear the birds chirping, chirp chirp
There was a person named Denny Hamlin He wanted to start a NASCAR team And wanted Michael Jordan to be a co-owner They had a meeting, they thought to themselves
I want to be a NASCAR driver I am in a Toyota and when it is my first race, I pray so I can be safe The car is going fast as a running cheetah and I smell tire wear on the track
In the second stage there is a big crash and I hear cars screeching and I avoid it and it puts me in fifth place and my tires are worn so I have to pit
In the third stage there are ten laps left and I am in second place but I am almost out of gas and it comes to the last lap
The leader blows his tire in turn four and I take the lead to win the race and celebrate my first NASCAR win for my team.
A Place To Myself
Eddie O’Neill
Eddie is a young writer that lives in Los Angeles. He loves football, drumming, baseball, and basketball. He lives with his mom, dad, and brother.
A clear sky with a mansion on a hillside
By the crystal clear ocean
Grassy and as green as a tree
A place to myself
A big pool warm like the summer
The sun so bright like it’s smiling at me
The smell of cookies baking in the oven
Quiet and peaceful
Where I can hear my own thoughts
With pizza so cheesy and soft
Playing video games with my friends
A smiling golden retriever
That is as loyal as a boomerang
The bright screen like eyes watching me
All the money I need all to myself
I can get anything I want
But all I want is a place to myself
acknowledgments
826LA would like to thank to following for their support in making this chapbook possible:
Teresa Chuc
Maria Avila
Rebecca Roe
Pedro Estrada
Mike Dunbar
Alma Carrillo
Jerrika Hinton
James Liddell
Bella Benavides
Karena Sanchez
Nyyah Henry
Brettany Valenzuela
Hinata Nayuki
Emma McCandless
Julia Malinow
Vision:
826LA envisions a Los Angeles where every child has access to quality writing education and is empowered to express themselves creatively through writing. We envision a Los Angeles where every teacher is supported in their writing-based educational objectives.
Mission:
826LA is dedicated to unlocking and cultivating the creative power of writing for students ages 6 to 18, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.
How we advance our mission: A nonprofit organization, our services are structured around our understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.
About 826la:
With this in mind, we provide after-school tutoring in all subjects, evening and weekend workshops, in-school programs, field trips, college access, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications.
All of our programs are challenging and enjoyable, and ultimately strengthen each student’s ability to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in their own voice.
Core Values:
826LA values joy in the service of achieving educational goals. Our community norms value diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We therefore prioritize partnerships with Title 1 Schools, engagement with historically marginalized populations, and training and deploying community-based volunteers in support of our mission. As a teaching approach, we value creativity, authenticity, empathy, and lively, rigorous, and student-centered writing education. As an educational enrichment organization, we value supporting teachers, principals, and other school staff in the pursuit of excellence.
826la programs
After-School Writing Programs
Mondays through Thursdays, students attend 826LA for after-school writing programs. Students participate in community building activities, work on homework or reading with trained tutors, and of course, write! Students submit their writing for inclusion in chapbooks, which 826LA publishes twice a year. To celebrate students’ hard work, 826LA unveils these chapbooks at book release parties, where students read their work to thunderous applause from their volunteers, families, and peers.
Field Trips
During the week, 826LA invites teachers and their students to our writing labs to participate in a morning of collaboration, creativity, and writing. Whether Storytelling & Bookmaking, Well-Wishing & Poetry, Choose Your Own Adventure, or Memoir, field trips at 826LA support teacher curriculum and student learning by offering a safe space for students to be their most imaginative and to work on their writing skills. In a few short hours, students brainstorm, write, edit their work, and leave with something tangible—a bound book—as well as a renewed confidence in their ability to tell their stories.
In-Schools Programs & Writers’ Rooms
Because not all students can come to us, 826LA brings specially trained volunteer tutors into classrooms throughout Los Angeles. There, volunteers provide one-on-one or small group assistance with writing projects. 826LA works with teachers to craft all projects, which are designed to engage students while targeting curricular needs. In addition to visiting twenty schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District each year, 826LA has additional sites within Manual Arts High School, Roosevelt High School, and Venice High School called The 826LA Writers’ Rooms.
Workshops
826LA’s workshops bring students together with artists, writers, and professionals for creative collaboration. Whether the subject is journalism or preparing for the zombie apocalypse, our workshops foster student creativity while strengthening writing skills. This program includes two long running partnerships with Paramount Pictures and the Hammer Museum.
Sign up to make a monthly donation to 826LA and you’ll join our Future Bestsellers Club. For as little as ten dollars each month, we’ll deliver writing from our brilliant, emerging authors right to you!
Go to 826LA.org/donate and click on Future Bestsellers Club to join.
staff
Jaime Balboa
Executive Director
Diego Quevedo Chief of Staff
Shani Foster Director of Education
Christie Thomas Director of Development
Pedro Estrada
Programs & Operations Manager, Echo Park
Mike Dunbar
Programs & Operations Manager, Mar Vista
Mateo Acosta
Associate Director of Community Engagement
Carinne Mangold Store and General Operations Manager
Alma Carrillo Development and Communications Manager
Trevor Crown
Senior Manager of Volunteer Innovation & Assessment
Ariadne Makridakis Arroyo
Senior Volunteer Coordinator
Katie Feige Institutional Giving Manager
Maddie Silva Manager of Special Initiatives
Arisdeysi Cruz Tutoring Program Coordinator
Marco Beltran
Writers’ Room Program Coordinator Manual Arts High School
Wendy Beltran
Writers’ Room Program Coordinator Roosevelt High School
