Dear Grade Six Teachers

It's Here! You can buy a copy (or several) 

Ashton becomes the most popular boy at his school when he suddenly acquires great running speed. His friend, Kenroi, tries to help him maintain this speed, so that his school can win vital competitions. However, the boys may be dealing with something which they cannot control. Can Ashton live up to the expectations of his father and school? In the end, he has to make a vital decision. What is the right thing to do? This is a fun 'boy to enjoy book'. Girls will like it too.

Dear Grade Six teachers, 

In this post-exam, waiting-for results- period, here's a book you can use to profitably fill some time with your students

1  It's fiction and a delightful read. The fantasy will appeal both to boys and girls and it's laced with amusing situations.

2. Once they have enjoyed reading the story you can use elements to spark research and debate on several points. For example:

The problem of athletes using drugs to enhance performance

Expectations parents have for their children.

Can close friends lead you astray?

The need to develop one's own integrity and stick to it

Why winning at all costs is not acceptable

You can have a lot of fun with this book. Try it. Ask for it at bookstores. Call the publisher Carlong. Their marketing department can be reached at 876 9609366. You get a discount for bulk purchases.

Above all enjoy reading with the children

The signing

               Hazel Campbell  Veronica Carnegie  Diane Browne

As I told you last time, three Jamaican authors were planning to host a signing session at the Things Jamaican Shop at Devon House, one of Kingston’s popular spots for liming in the restaurants, eating ice cream and patties in the garden with the resident birds demanding their share of your food, or browsing at a variety of shops.

This was an experiment, in the belief that together we could pull more of a crowd than singly. Veronica Carnegie's book is The Tie Came Back (adult short stories), Diane Browne's - The Ring and the Roaring Water, and mine Bernie and the Captain's Ghost (both for children 8-12 years). I promised to tell you how it turned out.

First, we were competing time-wise with World Cup football, an athletic meet and various other forms of entertainment in the city. However, several persons turned up and we had a good time chatting about our books. Some sales were made and more persons became aware of the existence of our books. We authors held a kind of workshop for ourselves swapping stories and giving encouragement.

Perhaps the best part was that we kept each other company. If you have ever had a signing session, (and you are not J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer) you know how tedious it can be - waiting for persons to show up to buy or, more likely, to browse and not buy your book.

We had fun, and will probably repeat the exercise at other venues.