For Teachers and Educational Professionals
Writing a book is an amazing journey. And it’s a journey I plan to take over and over again. I’m already on my second book. I started Flash of Freedom when I was in 4th grade in a free-write journal we were given. A full two years later, I finished writing the book. However, the editing and publishing took awhile, too.
The video shows how I shared the manuscript of my book with my former 5th grade teacher’s class. They loved it and even used it in their reading curriculum! In particular, the video shows how they used my book in Venn diagrams to dissect the book into many parts. In the video, the class had been reading the book a chapter a day and I read them the last three chapters of the book. The question and answer session was very exciting. Some of their great comments actually got into the next edit of my book. Maybe I can visit your class in the future as an ‘Author in Residence’! Everyone had a great time the last time I did it, including me.
Author In Residence Session
I can think of no better way to have students experience an author first hand than having one their size and age visit their classroom! As an Author in Residence I can talk about writing, editing and publishing a book. In addition I would like to conduct a hands-on writing workshop with your classroom. The topic could include character development, how to describe a setting or how to edit a written piece. I can show examples from my original black and white composition book manuscript as compared to the final version in the printed book. Just pick what your class needs the most work on in their writings and I’ll try to help them as best as I can.
However, it’s not all about writing books, One of the bigger reasons I want to visit your classroom is to inspire students to pursue their dream now, no matter what dream it is. As a teacher you can contact my mom and get the time set up.
Excerpt from Chapter 2, Nicky
“Hey, I have t’go now and finish somethin’ from yesterday. Maybe we can talk at lunch, huh? See ya!” And she bounded off the bus without another word.
Tara allowed herself a small smile as she shouldered her backpack and walked off the bus. It had been wonderful, being talked to. And maybe, just maybe, it was because Nicky wanted to, not because of pity.
Of course, it couldn’t last. Tara couldn’t let it. The road to friendship always ended the same way. Anyway, Nicky seemed like such a chatterbox that she would talk to anyone. Yeah, Tara told herself, just a fluke. And so Tara convinced herself once more that this day would be like every other first day.
Classroom Quotes:
A fifth grade class read my book as a classroom assignment. These were some of their comments:
A fabulous book with outstanding amounts of detail about the characters, Tara, Nicky, Freedom, the races, and the action. Anyone, especially horse lovers, will adore this amazing book.
Kacy
Once you start you never want to stop. This will leave you hanging for days. This is the perfect book for a report
Grace
I love this book, partly because I like horses and partly because a girl that is, like, twelve years old wrote a book.
Carissa
Once you start you can never put it down. This is a perfect book for ages 10-12. It’s a great book.
Katelyn
I love Flash of Freedom. It has really inspired me to start writing my own stories about horses. Flash of Freedom ROCKS!
Amanda
Absolutely breathtaking. The book traps the reader like magnets to metal throughout the book. When you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.
Griffin
You just wanted the book to keep on going and going and going
Dominic
I love Flash of Freedom because of the way you can put a picture in your head and because of the way the author makes you want to read more"
“I LOVE this book"
“It’s one of my favorite books"
“I think Flash of Freedom is a great book"“A very inspiring story"
“I can’t wait until the book is done and we can read the second book”
"Dakota is a talented student and a great inspiration to her peers. Her love for writing is illuminated throughout her novel, Flash of Freedom, as she keeps her readers wanting more. She is a beacon to all young novelists.
Mrs. Barksdale, 5th Grade Teacher
It is a moving portrait of a young teen struggling with issues of belonging, friendship, and finding their niche. Flash of Freedom demonstrates a creative way for tackling big issues of young teens. Simply astounding!
Rita K. Jeffries, Teacher/Reading Coach, Warren Western Reserve Middle School, Warren, Ohio