ADD FRONT COVER PDF HERE.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A COLLECTION OF RECIPES & SHORT STORIES COLLECTED & WRITTEN BY THE STUDENTS OF BRILLIANT DETROIT’S BRIGHTMOOR HUB WRITING CLUB
Food for Thought
A Collection of Recipes & Short Stories
826michigan Staff
Megan Shuchman, Executive Director
Kinyel Friday, Operations Director
Megan Gilson, Program Manager
Denise R. Ervin, Program Manager
Amy Sumerton, Communications & Development Manager
Eli Sparkman, Program & Volunteer Coordinator
Diamond Sharpe, Program & Operations Associate
Catherine Calabro Cavin, Grants Writer
Teaching Artists & Apprentices for the 2024-25 School Year:
Paige Bennett
Rachel Chalfant
Jeniya Dabish
Rachel Debolski
Emmett Flinkman
Terance Gordon
Caitlin Koska
Alondra Mireles
Elizabeth Mitchell
Alex Quada
826michigan Board of Directors
Maria Montoya, co-president
Abby Fanelli, co-president
Christopher Ankney
James A. Hiller
Holly Hunt
Steve Janssens
Tanya Line
Denice Olson
Danté Richmond
Patti Wheeler
Copyright © the 2024–25 school year by 826michigan and Blotch Books. All rights reserved by 826michigan, the many whims of Drs. T & G Blotch, and the authors.
The views expressed in this book are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of 826michigan. We believe in the power of youth voice and are thrilled that you picked up this book. No part of this book may be reproduced without express written permission from the publisher, except for small excerpts for the purposes of review or scholarly study.
By purchasing this book, you are helping 826michigan continue to offer free student programs. For more information, please visit: 826michigan.org
Food for Thought:
A Collection of Recipes & Short Stories
LAB
INtroduction
DENISE R. ERVIN
826michigan Detroit Program Manager
826michigan is now in the midst of its twentieth year empowering student writers one story at a time in Detroit, Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor. A large part of our success has always been due to our ability to find community partners that share our passion for literacy and whose values are aligned with those we hold dear. Connecting with Brilliant Detroit’s Brightmoor Hub is, therefore, a perfect match that came along at a perfect time. We were able to spend 8 weeks with a small but mighty group of young writers, talking about food and family. We read several stories together that encouraged us to think about the traditions that we hold dear with our loved ones, collected recipes of some of our favorite dishes, and wrote and revised stories with food as our main characters. It was, dare I say it, a delicious time for everyone! This unique chapbook publication celebrates this special partnership as we usher a new group of published authors into the literary world. Here’s hoping it inspires you to spend some quality time with those you love, especially over a meal that warms your heart as well as your stomach.
Ava Curry
My name is Ava. I am six years old. I am excited to become a published author!
PIZZA’S GREAT ESCAPE!
Pizza, who was nicknamed Pencil, cooked rotten pizza. He was born evil.
The pizza looked like a chair because he wanted to be shaped like a chair so no one could recognize him. He liked to eat everyone! He was so strong, he could even pick up his own self and Pizza could even pick up a whole building! He worked out for one million hours every day. No one could defeat him! He made rotten pizza so everyone would pay him, and then, because the pizza was rotten, they never came back. He had good memory skills. When he attacked someone, he spit sticky, rotten cheese at them.
One day, Pizza spit rotten cheese at a man named Johnny. Then, Johnny’s cousins called the police on Pizza, but he didn’t get a ticket, he just had to write, “I’ll never do it again,” one million, quadrillion times.
Pizza was so bored. He escaped while the police were asleep. He kept attacking other people with sticky, rotten cheese.
Finally, Johnny's cousins (who had called the police) went to check on Pizza and saw he was gone. They woke the police up, and the police saw Pizza had escaped. They went to where Pizza was, and then took him to an abandoned house. He was going to be alone, and he couldn’t break the
because the glass was so strong, it was even stronger than him.
Pizza was so lonely. He knew where the secret hiding spot was because it led outside! He made it outside, and he started to hand out unrotten pizza slices to everyone in town. The police saw Pizza giving out free slices so they left him alone.
THE END.
AVA'S LEMONADE
Ingredients:
1 gallon of water (spring or purified)
9 lemons (4 Meyers and 5 sour lemons)
1 cup of strawberries
8 oz of red strawberry puree
1½ cups of sugar
Directions:
First, simmer 1½ cups of water, then add 1½ cups of sugar and stir until dissolved. Let cool for 10 minutes. While your simple syrup is cooling, juice 4 sweet meyer lemons and 5 sour lemons and mix with simple syrup. Then pour mixed ingredients into the gallon of water and mix in strawberry puree and stir. Lastly, slice the last lemon and cup of strawberries for decoration.
Don’t forget to rinse fruit before preparing lemonade!
Cadin Scott
My name is Cadin. My favorite color is blue. My favorite thing to do is draw. My favorite snack is Hot Cheetos. And I learned how to write a book.
CHEESY AND GLAZEY’S ADVENTURE
Once upon a time, there was a macaroni named Cheesy. He was throwing a hotel party and looking for people to come. Because it was very crowded, Cheesy could not see a lot of people.
But then he saw a donut sitting on a fountain. It was a pink glazed donut. Cheesy went up to the donut and said, “Hey! Would you like to come to my hotel party?” The donut, Glazey, looked up and said, “Yes.”
When they got there, Glazey started to act crazy. He threw all the pool noodles, screamed like a baby, and kept pushing people in the water.
But Cheesy was a nice person and didn't get mad at Glazey. Instead, he taught him how to be a normal person, a normal snack.
Ever since then, Glazey made a lot more friends; he even got rich! He shared his money with Cheesy because, without him, he wouldn’t have been able to do it. They have been best friends ever since.
CADIN'S CHICKEN
PARMESAN
BAKE
1. Season the chicken.
2. Dip it in Caesar dressing.
3. Dip it in parmesan.
4. Put it in the oven for 30 minutes.
5. Enjoy!!!
Caiden Atchinson
I'm really handsome. Math is my favorite subject.
MY NAME IS THE KING . . .
Jeremy was a steak. He was chewy and amazing. He wanted to help the king and his health. Jeremy jumped really, really high to get bacon from the clouds. Then he jumped off the clouds and landed on the black roof of the castle. Then he jumped off the roof and landed in the goo that was next to the door to the kingdom. His brother thought it was a monster entering the kingdom. He accidentally got pushed back into the world. The king ate the bacon and it tasted like pork—tasty, chewy, like the texture of gum.
Jeremy turned into a human. He was like, “Whoa, where am I?” He felt different than the king. He got to play and he still had his power, but he got to play with people and meet people and he got to go to school and work. Yes.
CAIDEN'S CHICKEN POT PIE
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
¼ cup onion, chopped
1–2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth or bouillon and water
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups cooked chicken
12 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit mix, mixed according to the box
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded) for the biscuit mix
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat.
2. Saute onions and garlic until tender. Be careful not to brown the garlic.
3. Add the flour and cook until thickened and lightly browned.
4. Add broth and bring to a boil. Cook for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
5. Remove from heat and add cream.
6. Spread the chicken on the bottom of an 11x7 casserole dish and top with frozen vegetables.
7. Pour sauce over the top and stir to combine.
8. Make the biscuit mixture according to package, being careful not to over-stir. Top the chicken filling with the biscuit batter. Leave room between biscuits
to allow for browning.
9. Bake at 425 for 14–16 minutes or until biscuit tops are golden brown.
10. Brush the top of the biscuits with melted butter, sprinkle with seasoning packet mixture, and serve.
Kyndal King
I am very good at dancing. I take acting classes. I like to sing. I love to sing Christmas carols.
THE BEST FRIENDS
MJ the Pizza had a boring, nice, funny, and attractive personality. His goal was to date the cutest girl in school. He went to Paris Academy. But, he was covered in twin snakes and gummy bears, and he couldn’t swim.
Emma the Pizza was the cutest girl in school. She was a good listener, and very kind. She got her school work done (so of course MJ would have a crush on her).
One day, when Emma had her books in her hand, she crashed into MJ. They got each other’s phone numbers and started to become friends. They would talk everyday, and Emma started to have a crush on MJ, and didn’t know that MJ already liked her.
One day, MJ wanted to tell Emma how he felt. He went to her class, and asked the teacher, “Can I pull Emma out of class?” The teacher was shocked, shaking their head NO. But Emma ran out of class!
MJ told her how he felt. They liked each other, and they only dated for five weeks. Soon they got married, and had baby pizza kids!
MJ still had his dream to learn how to swim. Emma said, “If you want to go swimming, all you have to do is try. You might get on the swim team.” Emma went to the store to get
a bag so that he could swim (because without the bag, pizza can’t swim).
When she returned, MJ saw that Emma had something behind her back.
He said, “What’s that behind your pizza back?”
Emma said, “I went to the store, and got you a bag, because I know it is your dream to swim.”
And so then MJ said, “I’ll go try, just because of you!”
Emma drove him to the pool. At the tryouts MJ had to swim out to five feet of water, dive, and do obstacle courses. MJ was so happy. He was jumping because he made the swim team (thanks to the bag).
Emma got him another surprise for making the team. She said, “I also got you a trip to the pizza place that you always wanted to go to!”
At the new pizza place, MJ made friends, including a new girl pizza named Avery. Avery was jealous of Emma because she was married to MJ.
The next day, when Emma came back from work, MJ had Avery over. Emma screamed, “Get out of my house. MJ, explain yourself!”
MJ said, “We’re just friends!”
Avery introduced herself to Emma, and it turned out, they used to be best friends. Emma remembered everything! One time, on vacation, Emma and Avery went to Paris together. But Avery stayed in Paris and left Emma all alone.
Emma said to Avery in a mad voice, “You said you would come back from Paris five years ago, where were you?!”
Avery said, “I had some things to do.” She said it so loudly, the neighbors all came and stood in the yard to listen.
Emma was sad but it was so long ago, she put out her hand and said, “Nice to meet you, best friend.”
Avery left the house, and said, “That girl is crazy.”
Ring, ring. Emma called Avery the next day and asked if she wanted to go out for dinner. They met at Paris Cafe and ended the night laughing.
CHILI CHEESE FRIES
(A HOMETOWN FAVORITE)
A recipe by
Denise R. Ervin, 826michigan Program Manager
Ingredients:
For the chili
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 pound ground beef (I use 90% lean)
½ cup onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
½ cup beef broth
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
½ teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt, divided
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 15-ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
For the fries
32 ounces frozen french fries
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
assorted toppings, such as sour cream and green onions
cooking spray
Instructions:
For the chili
1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for 3–4 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the onion to the pot and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
4. Cook for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened.
5. Add the kidney beans and cook for another ten minutes.
6. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
For the fries
1. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
2. Cook the french fries in the oven in a single layer on a sheet pan according to package directions.
3. Remove the pan of fries from the oven. Turn the oven heat to 400.
4. You can finish the fries on a sheet pan or transfer them to a skillet for a restaurant-style presentation.
5. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of chili over the fries, then top with cheddar cheese.
6. Return the fries to the oven. Bake for five minutes or until cheese is melted.
7. Add toppings if desired, then serve immediately.
Cali Scott
My favorite color is rainbow. My favorite thing to do is play basketball. My favorite snack is Zee Zee’s soft baked bars (cocoa cherry flavor). I learned a lot about my story.
THE FRIENDS WHO LIKE SPRINKLES
This is the story of Ava and Abigail. Ava is an apple and Abigail is a salmon.
Yesterday
One day, Abigail was in a cave. She hit her head and fell back. She almost died. A bear showed up and tried to eat Abigail. But the Bear Boss saved Abigail. The real bear got fired.
Today
Abigail is with her best friend, Ava, in high school. They both work there for the college. They do multiplication, like 6 x 6 is 36. The high school sounds like music and smells like perfume.
They both scare each other: Abigail scares Ava and Ava scares Abigail. Ava comes out on the right and Abigail comes out on the left. They start hugging. After they laugh, they pick up their books.
THE END
CALI'S LOADED DORITIOS (NACHOS)
1. Brown hamburger and season it.
2. Put Doritos chips on a plate.
3. Add hamburger on top of the Doritos.
4. Add cheese.
5. Add Ortega Taco Sauce.
6. Add jalapenos.
7. Add sour cream.
8. Add lettuce.
9. Add tomatoes.
10. Enjoy!
Amour Lyons
My name is Amour. I am 5 years old and I love to eat snacks! I’m happy I wrote a book!
PANTRY DANCE PARTY
Pasta was a happy noodle and all she wanted was a friend she could dance with. See Pasta only knew one dance move, it was called “The Noodle.”
Pasta, who lived next door to the bag of marshmallows, visited her neighbors to ask for some advice. Marshmallow exclaimed, “I just know how to do the bounce!” So Pasta and Marshmallow together did the bounce.
Queso (who's a can of cheese) lives next door to Marshmallow and saw them dancing and had some thoughts. “Dancing should make noise … like this!” Queso started to do “The Roll.” Pasta and Marshmallow started to do the roll. Then the whole pantry started dancing! The Donuts were spinning. The bag of M&Ms were shaking, Spanish Rice did the Tango and Pasta’s cousin Rotini was doing the twist! Pasta looked around and saw how everyone had their own dance. “You know what, I'm proud to be a noodle!”
SUE’S BUTTERY PECAN PIE
A family recipe from Megan Shuchman, 826michigan Executive Director
Ingredients:
Premade crust (unless you’re brave enough to make your own!)
2½ cups shelled pecans (pecan halves)
3 large eggs
1 cup dark corn syrup
½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. After the pie dough chills, adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat to 350°F.
2. The filling: Very roughly chop the pecans—some whole, some coarsely chopped is fine. Spread pecans evenly inside the pie crust. Whisk the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, melted butter, salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl until combined. Pour over pecans.
3. Bake the pie for 50–55 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. After the first 20 minutes of bake time, I place a pie crust shield on top of the pie to prevent the edges from browning too quickly. You can also tent a piece of aluminum foil over the whole pie if it is browning too quickly. Remove finished pie from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. The pie filling will settle as it cools.
4. Slice and serve pie warm or at room temperature. Top with whipped cream or ice cream.
5. Cover and store leftovers at room temperature for 1–2 days or in the refrigerator for 4–5 days.
Note: My mother always makes this pie for Thanksgiving or Christmas. When I lived in another state and was homesick during the holidays, I’d make it, which always made my mom so proud. I love how food brings us together, and reminds us of how special it is to have family around us in the moments that matter most.
Elizabeth MItchell
826michigan Teaching Artist Apprentice
THE LITTLE BAKER
Sprinkles is a birthday cake cookie. She is sweet, kind, and caring. She is a little forgetful and sometimes clumsy.
Sprinkles is trying to become a great baker. She dreams of opening a bakery someday. But for now, she hopes to do well in school and work in a bakery when she gets to high school. Sprinkles just turned eight.
Her neighbor, Ms. Rose, owns a bakery. Sprinkles visits the bakery and tries out different treats. Ms. Rose, whose first name is Sarah, is a red velvet cupcake. Ms. Rose’s bakery is special because she makes treats that people with food allergies can eat. Sprinkles likes the vegan, gluten-free treats that Ms. Rose makes.
Sprinkles is going to make cherry chip cupcakes for a school bake sale. Her mom helps her make the cupcakes. They turn out great and taste delicious.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
826michigan gratefully recognizes the following supporters for their gifts for the 2024–25 School Year:
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, including the African American Endowment Fund and the Ted and Barbara Meadows Endowment Fund
James A. and Faith Knight Foundation
Leinweber Foundation
Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
May Family Foundation
Brown Chapel AME Church Foundation
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan via the Inclusive Arts Fund established by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
Conelias Foundation
Cummins Corporation
Detroit Arts Support, presented in partnership between the Kresge Foundation, Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, and Hudson-Webber Foundation
Domino’s Pizza
EOTECH
Foroulis Private Foundation
Flagstar Foundation
The Hawkins Project
The Janeth Fund
Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor
KLA Foundation
The Max and Anna Levinson Foundation
Michigan Humanities Council
Old National Bank Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President’s Grant Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation
Robbins Family Fund
Rocket Companies Community Challenge Fund
Russell Family Foundation
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Warby Parker
Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development
The Worsham Family Foundation
Zingerman’s Mail Order
Thank you to Brilliant Detroit’s Brightmoor Hub, the writers, and their families. Finally, thank you so much to Brilliant Detroit CEO Cindy Eggleton and the entire Brilliant staff for such a wonderful kick-off to this burgeoning partnership.
ABOUT
For twenty years, 826michigan has supported K-12 students through free writing and literacy programs. Each year, over 4,000 students in Detroit, Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor participate in our high-quality programs. We inspire students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers and provide students with the formative experience of seeing their work reflected back to them via a professional publication (in a book, on an album of songs, in an exhibit in a museum; publication projects are varied in iteration). Our programs improve student academic skills in writing, boost self-confidence in literacy work, and provide a positive outlet for socialemotional growth, while also instilling a lifelong love of reading and writing.
826michigan utilizes volunteers to provide students with one-on-one attention and small group work in every program offered. With the help of caring adults, students not only gain experience and confidence in writing, but also find a community of like-minded peers, and experience mentorship and social and emotional support that will feed them for a lifetime.
826michigan—the power of story.
WRITING LABS
In this weekly program, we build a supportive community of writers where students brainstorm, write, revise, and publish a story of their choosing. At the end of
the program, students’ writing is published in a book and celebrated with a book release party. Each session includes a mini lesson taught by 826michigan staff and introduction to a new writer's habit, such as “Writers change their minds” and “Writers make plans–and break them!” Students discuss and practice these new habits as they go through the writing process, building their own toolkit of writing practices and preferences. This program is offered both during the school day with select partner schools, and also as an after-school program open to students from the community.
WORKSHOPS
We offer a number of free writing workshops taught by professional artists, writers, and our talented volunteers. From comic books to screenplays, bookmaking to radio, our wide variety of workshops are perfect for writers of all ages and interests.
DROP-IN WRITING FOR WEE-BOTS
Each week, the youngest 826michigan writers meet to play and explore what writing can do. With stories that spark creativity and games that inspire students to write, the Weebots work in small groups—and with trusted volunteers—to bring imagination alive for these young writers. Students experience the joy of writing however they are able, from the physical act to conversation-based brainstorming and development of new ideas.
YOUNG AUTHORS’ BOOK PROJECT
Each year, we undertake a multi-session partnership with a class or grade that culminates in a professional publication of student writing. Whether it’s third graders writing poetry about frogs and learning about book
publishing in a project-based learning format or fifth graders imagining their world in fifty years for science fiction that starts in Detroit but travels the galaxy, these projects enable students to take a deep dive into the writing process. They learn revision, editing, and all the steps it takes to go from a brainstorming a first draft to being published.
FIELD TRIPS & ROADSHOWS
Always full of surprises and theatrics, our Field Trip program is an experiential writing extravaganza. We welcome teachers to bring their classes in for field trips during the school day or we can bring the party to schools as a field trip roadshow. Students join a group of volunteers, interns, and staff to help solve a problem through writing. Our field trips always end in a finished publication of original writing that students take home. Often the field trip writing is connected to a second leg of the students’ journey, whether a trip to a museum, library, or local record label, thanks to our many incredible community partners.
OUR STORE
Our Robot Supply Co. store, located in Ann Arbor, is a one-stop shop for robots, robot owners, and enthusiasts alike. It is designed to inspire creativity and bring awareness of our programs to the community. In addition, our online store is always open; visit the Robot Supply Co. at onwardrobots.com. All proceeds from our store directly fund our free student programming. Onward robots!
WRITING IS
A way to figure things out by ourselves A way to help us connect to our world A way to help us learn who we are and who we will become A way for us to use our power to make changes and build a better world
We create a safe place to be ourselves and try new things
We support the ways that writers work (like thinking, sketching, talking)
We study the writing we want to do so we can try it
We learn how to change our writing for genre, audience, and purpose
We work with a group of writers who help and support each other www.826michigan.org
826 National was inspired to take a stand on issues of inclusion and diversity in light of the many events that spotlighted social and racial injustices throughout the country. We as educators, volunteers, and caring adults need to be aware of the wide range of issues our students face on a day-to-day basis. We need to support these young people as they navigate through and try to make sense of the world and their own identities.
We need the support and the feedback from our community to ensure 826 is living up to these standards. Through our inclusion statement, our internal diversity and inclusion group, cultural competency resources provided to staff and volunteers, and partnerships with other organizations, we are always working towards being a more inclusive and supportive organization.
We at 826 have the privilege of working with the next generation of scholars, teachers, doctors, artists, lawyers, and writers. It's our job to make sure they are able to take their own stands.
As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826 National and its chapters recognize the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps in learning happen, we commit ourselves to inclusion: we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service, or disability.
The 826 National network is committed to encouraging youth to express themselves and to use the written word to effectively do so. We encourage our students to write, take chances, make decisions, and finish what they start. And 826 strives to do this in an environment free from discrimination and exclusion.
by Gerald Richards, CEO
