the Map Project
The Baltimore Youth Literary Map Project is a creative collaboration led by CHARM’s Student Editorial Board and supported by youth collaborators from across the city. Through writing, research, and hands-on collaboration with a professional illustrator, young people came together to document the spaces and stories that shape Baltimore’s literary landscape.
Why Now?
The timing of this project aliged with an exciting moment for Baltimore: our city hosted the 2026 AWP Writing Conference & Bookfair. AWP is an annual gathering of writers, poets, editors, and publishers. From March 4-7, 2026, AWP brought 10,000+ people to The City That Reads (and writes!) You can visit CityLit’s page to learn more about the local events that took place in concert with the conference.
MappiNg Baltimore Through Young Voices
Students worked with Baltimore-based illustrator Yifan Luo into a vibrant, youth-centered visual map, capturing a living portrait of Baltimore’s literary identity as seen, shaped, and celebrated by its young people.
Students from CHARM worked alongside peers from Wide Angle Youth Media, DewMore Baltimore, and Writers in Baltimore Schools to explore the city’s libraries, bookstores, schools, parks, and other meaningful sites. Each location was researched, reflected on, and reimagined through a youth lens, highlighting how these spaces inspire Baltimore’s next generation of writers, thinkers, and storytellers.
Student Writings
As part of this project, students created original written reflections for a few of the landmarks featured on the map, exploring the places that shape their creativity, curiosity, and sense of belonging. Check out the link below to learn more about how these sites inspire the next generation of storytellers.
Join the Conversation
The Baltimore Youth Literary Map is an evolving document: what places and spaces do you think of as literary?
Atomic Books
〰️
Baltimore City College Library
〰️
Baltimore Museum of Art
〰️
Bird in Hand Cafe
〰️
Charlotte Elliott & The Bookstore Next Door
〰️
Charm City Books
〰️
CHARM: Voices of Baltimore Youth
〰️
Co_Lab Books
〰️
Dreamers & Make-Believers
〰️
Druid Hill Park
〰️
Enoch Pratt Library
〰️
Everyone's Place African Cultural Center
Atomic Books 〰️ Baltimore City College Library 〰️ Baltimore Museum of Art 〰️ Bird in Hand Cafe 〰️ Charlotte Elliott & The Bookstore Next Door 〰️ Charm City Books 〰️ CHARM: Voices of Baltimore Youth 〰️ Co_Lab Books 〰️ Dreamers & Make-Believers 〰️ Druid Hill Park 〰️ Enoch Pratt Library 〰️ Everyone's Place African Cultural Center
Thank you Partners!
We’re deeply grateful to our partners who helped bring this project to life! This project is stronger because of your partnership, care, and commitment to young people’s voices.
Let’s Connect!
Want to get involved, volunteer, or support CHARM’s mission to amplify young voices in Baltimore? Feel free to reach out, or contribute below.