This November, 826DC is thrilled to publish our very first compendium: a collection of the best of the best from our first five years. To celebrate the release here on the blog we will be posting a weekly podcast consisting of selections from the book, read aloud by students, volunteers, staff, and other friends of 826DC. So find a comfy spot and get ready to listen, savor, and share the words of our most inspiring young authors. This project is made possible in part by support from AT&T Aspire.
You Will Be Able to Say a Thousand Words collects the best writing from 826DC’s first five years of running fun and unique writing-based programs. Spanning genres and styles, students ages 6-18 imagine dangers on the high seas, struggles with bullying, and mourn loved ones. From advice to their former selves to advice for the reader, students begin a journey that starts on the page and ends in the boundlessness of the imagination.
This week’s featured piece from the collection is “My Life as a Dog/Shark” by Christopher M., first published in our “Smell This Story!” writing workshop. Reading it for us is 826DC Programs Director Lacey Dunham, self-proclaimed book nerd and cat wrangler.
My agenda: Sniff something gross, save people from jellyfish, then poop everywhere and wait for people to step in it.
All around me there was sand and water.
“Help!” someone screamed.
“Sounds like jellyfish are attacking again,” I said. I jumped into action, ran into the water, swam over to that person, and bit the jellyfish without getting shocked. “Here comes my favorite part,” I thought.
“Thank you” said the person. “Here’s your 250 sausage bites.”
Mmmmmmm, they smelled good. I said, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to smell some butts.” I think someone farted in my face when I tried to smell their butt.