Students in New Haven Community Schools Pen Book

When Endeavour Middle School teacher Nancy MacDonald assigned her eighth-grade English students the task of writing an essay, she never imagined it would result in a published book. 

At the beginning of this school year, MacDonald's students wrote about life events, such as loss, death and love for an annual Farm Bureau Insurance Company essay contest. A total of 64 essays formed the new title Shadows In My Backpack.

“As the essays were turned in, I was taken aback by the depth of feeling and honesty in each of them,” MacDonald said. “Many of their stories tore at my heart and brought tears to my eyes.”

MacDonald assigned her students the task of writing on the topic, “My Personal Michigan Hero.” With six other students from journalism and English teacher Mindy Johnson’s eighth-graders at the same school, the young authors collectively made the decision to create the book together and write under a pen name in light of the sensitive nature of their stories.

MacDonald said that the volume would not have been published without support and encouragement from Endeavour Middle School Principal David Rayes.

"The project is one that will likely stay with those involved in it for the rest of their lives," said Rayes.

According to MacDonald, students went from learning the process of book publishing during the first semester to becoming published writers just six months later. The assignment proved to students like eighth-grader Genevieve Isaacs that homework is connected to the real world.

“A lot of teachers teach us stuff, but we are wondering how it relates to life," Isaacs said.

 To celebrate their achievement earlier this year, published students held a cake and ice cream celebration in the school’s cafeteria where the authors each received a copy of the new book. So far, 350 copies of the book have been sold through school events and phone orders.

“I cannot take any credit for this project,” said MacDonald. “It was simply the right time, place and group of parents, students and staff all coming together collectively to help produce a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for every student.”

On Saturday, the public is invited to join the published students at an Author’s Picnic scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lenox Township Library at 58976 Main Street in New Haven. The event will feature refreshments as well as book signings and readings. Seating will be provided but attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

For more information, call Karen at the library at (586) 749-3430 or visit www.libcoop.net/lenox. Purchase copies of the book through the school at 586-749-8067 or 586-749-5123.