by Fourth Graders in Ms. Stevenson's Class at University Prep in Detroitpublication

NEW MONUMENTS

Memorials That Matter

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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 of learning occur, we commit to inclusion: We will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, immigration status, military service, or disability.

Copyright © 2023 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.

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About the Program

This book contains writing from 826michigan’s New Monuments field trip program. During this program, students explore what a monument is and can be, dreaming up new possibilities for local ways to honor heroes and specialties, from the playful (coney dogs and magical creatures) to the serious (activists and abolitionists). In collaboration with 826michigan volunteers, students envision and draw these new possibilities, and then write about why they think their new monuments should be built. This project is based on the work by student writers at our sister chapter 826 New Orleans and their publication Courageous, Eccentric, Diverse: New Monuments for New Orleans.

Monument to Jakari’s Family Member

by Jakari

My family member should have a monument because he was a singer and people loved his music. It would make me feel like the best drummer in the world. It would be located in a field. It would look like a church and be made out of brick. My family member was famous and all his songs were good. He was a good man to remember.

Monument to Kobe Bryant

By Isabella

Kobe Bryant should get a monument so other fans of him can carry his legacy, so his legacy is not lost forever. He made me feel excited when he made a shot. And I like his daughter, Gianna. The monument should be located in Los Angeles. It will be made out of steel. It is a photo of him and his daughter holding a basketball. My childhood hero gone too soon. This tragedy should be remembered and never forgotten. I want people to stay remembering his legacy and his lasting impact on the world.

Monument to “Wings of Fire”

By Baleigh

The book series “Wings of Fire” is a very nice series in the fantasy category. I think it deserves a monument because I am very picky when it comes to reading, and this is one of the only series that I actually enjoy. It is also important to others because it is also a highly popular series with audiobooks and graphic novels. Before I really knew about this series, I was just bored of everything else and wasn’t really interested in anything else, but when I found out about the series and heard the first audiobook, I felt interested and invested to complete the series. The monument would be in a park as a statue made of rocks. I recommend this series to people who like fantasy, adventure, and mystery.

A Monument to Cody Rhodes

By Jeremiah

When Cody Rhodes does his finisher on his opponent, it gets me excited. He deserves a monument because his long career proves he is worthy. He inspires me to be stronger everyday. He feels like my brother on my side. He also makes me feel powerful and unstoppable. His monument is made in Detroit. It is made of stone and iron. He is posing with his arms crossed. He is a helpful man and can inspire people like me.

A Monument to Justin’s Family

By Justin

No matter rain, sun, or shine, my family is always there for me. My lows and highs and through thick and thin, I can always bet on my family to be there for me. They deserve a monument because they take care of me. They deserve a monument because they mean the world to me. My feelings about my monument are happy, loved, good, and amazing. My monument will be located everywhere. We all have family reunion t-shirts that say, “May family will always be there for me,” which we wear whenever we have a family reunion.

A Monument to Monclaire’s Family

By Monclaire

In a fast and loud world, my family seems to be the only people to understand me and love me for me. My family deserves a monument because my family is always there for me and they mean the world to me and they give me what I need or want and treat me with respect. My family cares about me and I am loved and reasonable. My monument looks like my family standing next to each other and wrapping their arms around each other. It will help people remember that families are a beautiful thing that deserves to be celebrated.

A Monument to Ja’Marr Chase

By Jacob

Did you know that Ja’Marr Chase head tapped number 21 on the Chiefs and number 41 on the Rams? He is good at doing “the griddy.” He is one of the best wide receivers. He gets up early in the morning to practice. He makes me feel unguardable like when I play football, no one can hold me. His monument should be located in the end zone of Paul Brown Stadium so every time he scores, he can touch himself. It looks like him doing “the griddy” and it should be made out of clay. He is my favorite NFL player and it will always be like that!

A Monument to Ms. Stevenson

By Annalise

Ms. Stevenson is the best teacher! She is energetic. She spends her time helping us with our education. She has a great personality. She is intelligent, joyful, and she is so smart. Her monument should be in front of the school so everyone can see Ms. Stevenson “dab on’ em!”

A Monument to Finn

By Noah

Finn is the best hero! I think that Finn should have a monument because he is brave, kind, and helps people without thinking. He makes me feel like I can do anything. The monument will be at Cartoon Network Hotel. It will look like him saving someone. It will be made of clay. I want it to tell people that you can be whatever you want.

A Monument to CoryxKenshin

By Brooke

Have you seen CoryxKenshin’s YouTube channel? He is the best video game player that I know and watch. When you have a long day, you can sit back and relax and watch his videos. My feelings for him are pretty strong with watching him and I feel his monument would be influential. I want it to be by the pier and the last thing I want people to remember is his YouTube channel.

A Monument to Women

By Nyla

Women are very hard working. I think women should have a monument because they do a lot for our community. Women also give birth which takes a lot of effort. Women also work different jobs that help us a lot. I think women are strong, pretty, and hard working. Their monument would be inside the national park in Washington, D.C. and it’s going to be a statue of different types of women of all shapes and sizes. Women are sometimes underrated, but with this monument, we can remind people that women are hardworking.

A Monument to Leah’s BFF, Lynsey

By Leah

Lynsey is the most loving person I’ve met and she will always be my BFF. She is a special friend to me and that I think that’s why she needs a monument because she is my BFF. Lynsey makes me feel joyful, strong, and brave. I think her monument would be made out of gold or glass. It would be in the BFF Hall of Fame. It will show everyone that Lynsey is my BFF forever and nobody else will ever be my BFF.

A Monument to Lynsey’s BFF, Leah

By Lynsey

Leah is my best friend! She is special to me and I have known her since kindergarten. I can always call and play with her. Leah makes me feel happy and faithful. Her monument is made out of glass and it will go in a glass hallway. The last thing I want people to remember about Leah is that she’s my best friend in the world.

A Monument to Dialo’s Family and Pets

By Dialo

Did you know that my Husky is brown and red and I have another with red and green spots? When I’m sad my pets are always there for me to make me feel better. They will never stop loving me and, like my family, they are very good listeners. With both of them, I feel happy, inspired, powerful, and listened to. Their monument would be on my wall. It would look joyful and would be 5 feet tall and fluffy. The colors would be red, blue, green, and brown and it would feel soft and cozy. My family and pets are helpful and there for me.

A Monument to Laila’s Grandpa, Dog, and Neighbor

By Laila

My grandpa made history in a war and my dog was a guard. My neighbor gave me a palm tree and it gave me great memories. My grandpa also gave me memories, so he and my dog mean more to me, but I miss all of them so much. I have been feeling sad about all of them because my grandpa and my dog passed away and my neighbor moved away. I would make a monumental shirt of them and make some cups with their faces and names. This is really personal for me and I miss and love them all so much.

A Monument to Jaylin’s Mom

By Jaylin

I love my mom because she is a powerful woman. My mom is fun and she likes to cook, play games, and help people. She is the best mom. She spends her time helping me and I LOVE MY MOM! She makes me feel happy and kind because she is like my best friend. Her monument would be a pink and purple shirt with her face on it. It would make sure people know and remember that I love her so much.

A Monument to Jada’s Mom

By Jada

My mom is the best! She deserves a monument because she is the best, because she helps me when I’m mad, and because she takes care of me. She makes me feel happy, loved, and protected. Her monument would be in her room and it would be a globe made of glass. I want people to remember that they need to love their mom no matter what and that you only have one mom to take care of you.

A Monument to Malik’s Friend, Amir

By Malik

Amir is a good friend, he is creative, he can script, and he is also smart. He deserves a monument because he is one of the best fiends I’ve had since 2021. He inspired me to do a lot of things like playing horror games, making animations, and making games. I feel like he is a good friend. His monument will be located on paper and it will be made out of my handwriting. When people see it, I want them to remember that he was a great friend.

inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities.

Our writing and tutoring programs uphold a culture of creativity and imagination and support students in establishing strong habits of mind. Through publication and community engagement, we provide students with an authentic and enthusiastic audience for their writing. Our programs provide an energizing creative outlet for students and meaningful volunteer opportunities for community members.

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Our trained volunteers go into local public schools to support teachers with their classroom writing assignments. Based on the teacher’s curriculum, assignments range from writing tales to crafting college essays to exploring poetry.

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Students come as a class to our writing lab to join a group of volunteers, interns, and staff in order to help solve a problem through writing— whether that is our editor Dr. Blotch’s insomnia, our looming story deadline, a mystery in need of solving, or one of the many others we encounter. Our field trips always end in a finished publication of original writing that students take home.

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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

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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

826michigan inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities.

Find out more at 826michigan.org