I'll Light Up My Own Sky

I'll Light Up My Own Sky is a collection of college essays written by graduates from 2021-2025. While their stories explore common themes, each essay remains infused with the distinct voice of its author. In this collection, readers will come across nuanced perspectives on home, obstacles large and small, the value of building relationships with mentors, and young people reckoning with the age-old question: who am I now, and who might I become?

As they navigate the next chapter of their lives, students remind readers to remain open-minded in the face of newness, resilient in the face of struggle, self-empowered in the face of negativity, and hopeful even when it seems impossible.

826 Boston is a nonprofit writing, tutoring, and publishing organization where students in grades K-12 and beyond can share their stories, amplify their voices, and develop as leaders in school and in life. 826 Boston's portion of the profits of any sale go back into funding these programs.