Middle school leaders share writing on what is most important to them. This may be their parents, best friends, important members of the community, rats, or even recommendations on where to eat. Learn about inspirational mothers, a new SF candy shop, the underappreciated lives of janitors and bus drivers, or a dog who acts like a koala.

— Simon Traub-Epstein, International Library of Young Authors

From the publisher: “This year in 826 Valencia's Middle School Leadership Program, students responded to what was real and present. From the global scale - writing calls to action for future presidents and publishing their perspectives on KQED - to the very local scale - eulogizing a rat trapped in the walls of 826 Valencia and reflecting on invisible figures and stories in their personal lives - students used writing as a way to process reality, grow as leaders, and build individual and collective power.”