Over many workshops from October 2024 through April 2025, 826NYC worked with a stunningly talented group of multi-hyphenate talents: author-athlete-scholars from the Trident Swim Foundation! In a writing program led by Teaching Artist María Alejandra Barrios Vélez, these incredible young people did it all, from personal stories to poetry to essays about issues they care about.

Everything Felt Different is the culmination of their work over those six eventful months. This book runs the gamut, with stories about high school crushes and friendships that go south, writing about family migration and what it means to hold multiple identities in a new country, and poetry about nature and New York City. Many of these authors are learning English as they learn to navigate the world of high school, and their ingenuity with language is inspiring and a delight to read.

“After meeting these students, I can confidently say that their writing has made my world a little bigger,” says María. “I invite you to open this book and let their generous writing lift your spirits and make you ask questions as you let yourself be swept away by their creativity and courage.”

Everything Felt Different will be available for purchase soon from the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co!