We are thrilled to report that some of the letters to Obama written by 826 students will be published in the Op-Ed section of the New York Times on Friday, January 16. To read a selection of these candid and earnest correspondences, click here.

A few days after the election, our very own Programs Director, Jory John, asked students from 826 centers around the country to provide advice and guidance to their new President. The result was a stack of hilarious, heartfelt, and occasionally downright practical letters loaded with advice, such as the following, for President Obama:

I really hope you put America back together. No pressure though. — Sheenie Shannon Yip, age 13, Seattle

A wonderful collection of the letters emerged from the project and was compiled into the book Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids' Letters to President Obama. The book, published jointly by McSweeney's and 826 National, would be a great addition to your Obama memorabilia collection, the perfect gift for your favorite teacher, or a immensely pleasurable read to keep on the nightstand.

The book will be available just in time for the inauguration on Tuesday, January 20. To pre-order your copy, please visit the 826 National online store.

And while you're waiting for it to arrive in the mail, you can get further snippets of the kids' wisdom, advice and requests on the NPR show This American Life. It will be airing a segment this weekend on the book, in which a number of 826 students will be featured. The show airs at different times in different cities—for information on your city, follow this link.

Thanks and have fun reading the book!