Queens Students Celebrate Published Book
By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Two Queens third graders are celebrating a milestone many adults only dream about. They are now published authors.
Students Malik and Valencia from P.S. 96 in Jamaica debuted their book, Robot Shark Finds a Friend, during a Student Book Launch on Feb. 28 as part of New York Edge’s Read Across New York Edge Week. The literacy celebration, which ran through March 6, highlights student creativity and storytelling through the organization’s Student Book Publishing Initiative.
The young authors participated in the event as both panelists and readers, sharing their imaginative story about Lucas, a character who is part shark, part robot and searching for friendship after crashing into the ocean and struggling to control his powers. They also signed copies of the book and met attendees during a giveaway following the presentation.
“My favorite part of the story is when Lucas finally finds friends,” Valencia said. “He meets a peacock who has talented musical cats, and he doesn’t feel alone anymore.”
Malik and Valencia said the idea for the story came together during an after-school activity when their teacher introduced the book project.
“One day our after-school teacher said we were going to make a book with a person on Zoom,” Malik said. “Then we made a book called Robot Shark Finds a Friend, and we made up the characters and the events.”
The students wrote and illustrated the book themselves as part of the publishing initiative, which guides children through the process of developing characters, creating illustrations and producing a finished story.
“We felt truly honored to see our book printed and published,” Valencia said. “We’re so proud and excited and can’t wait to hear other kids’ reactions as they read it.”
Clifford Benson, program director at the New York Edge site at P.S. 96, said the organization serves thousands of students across the city through after-school and summer programming.
“New York Edge is a nonprofit organization and one of the largest after-school programs in the five boroughs and Long Island,” Benson said. “We serve thousands of students in 136 schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, helping strengthen academic performance, health, wellness, self-confidence and leadership skills.”
Benson said the book project began when the students were in second grade and worked with a mentor to develop the story over the course of about a year.
During the writing process, the young authors had to learn how to collaborate and compromise.
“The hardest part of writing the story is when everyone wanted their ideas to be included,” Valencia said. “Miss Tracy came up with a spinning wheel, and that solved half the problem.”
At the launch event, Malik served as a panelist while Valencia read portions of the story aloud to the audience.
“I felt a little nervous at first, but it was really fun sharing the story with everyone,” Valencia said. “Signing autographs was the best part. I felt like a little famous star.”
Benson said watching the students present their work and celebrate with their families was a highlight.
“Seeing them and their families light up and have this opportunity was incredible,” he said. “Now I have students in third grade who are authors, and no one can take that away from them.”
Malik and Valencia say they are already thinking about their next project.
“Yes, we would love to write another book,” Valencia said. “Maybe an adventure or action story, and hopefully it could turn into a movie one day. I want to be one of the voice actors behind the character.”
According to program organizers, proceeds from future book sales will be reinvested into the Student Book Publishing Initiative to support more young writers.
For the young authors, the message of their story is simple.
“Don’t be scared to make friends,” Malik said. “You might not make friends right away, but if you get along, you can start to be friends.”
