Young authors present in Greene County

SNOW HILL — More than 650 published authors gathered at West Greene Elementary School on Friday to share and celebrate their work. The authors were none other than the school’s third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students who had their works printed in hardcover with the help of Topeka-based Nationwide Learning.

Amy Fabroni, the school’s instructional technologist, said the fourth annual author celebration was a chance for students to write a story, have it published and show it off — a process that encourages students to write.

“You can see teachers and families sharing with the children,” Fraboni said. “It’s not just the sheet of paper because (the student) had to do a writing assignment, but, ‘Look what I did. It’s a beautiful product and I’m proud of it.’ ”

Students at the school wrote and illustrated their own books or helped create a page in their class book. Classes also created displays to go along with their works.

Jenifer Mitchel, a fourth grader, wrote a book last year but said it was a lot more challenging this time.

“Last year we had to do short stories, so this was a little harder,” Jenifer said.

Jenifer — who said her nickname is “Possum’” — titled her book, “Mommy I’m Roadkill.” She said it was about skate boarding with her cousin.

Fabroni said students begin working on the project at the beginning of the school year and have until December to finish them. After the published product was returned in January, several students were selected to share their works.

Mary Elizabeth Morris, a third grader, wrote stories about Christmas. She plans to give the book to her parents as a gift. Mary Elizabeth also read her book on camera for the entire school to watch.

 “I taped my video last Friday,” Mary Elizabeth said. “I was nervous, but I think I did a good job.”

Mary Elizabeth’s teacher, Sheila Carraway, said pulling off the day-long event requires cooperation

“It takes lots of hard work from the students, but it also takes everyone at the school working together,” Carraway said. “The students absolutely love it. Not only are they writing about events that mean so much to them, but they also have books they can take home and keep the rest of their lives.”

Justin Hill can be reached at 252-559-1078 or jhill@freedomenc.com.