Rising Young Author

By Tracey Kemp, Parent of Snowboarding Snow Leopard Catherine and Village Alum Julia

Congratulations to Fearless Falcon Amanda S., selected as one of this year’s Rising Young Authors of the Campbell Union School District. The District website describes Rising Young Authors as “A select group of students, in grades three through seven, whose short stories, essays, research papers and poems were among hundreds entered in the District’s annual Writing Faire last May. After the Writing Faire, judges reviewed eligible entries to select one Author of the Year per school to receive the Rising Young Author award.”

Principal David called the awards ceremony in October “truly one of the great experiences of the year.” At the event, fourth grader Amanda and 11 other celebrated authors in the District were joined by Dr. Francisco Jimenez, a nationally acclaimed local author and Chair of the Modern Languages and Literature Department at Santa Clara University.

Village was well represented at the awards ceremony. Amanda was joined by talented student authors Kaylie M. from Capri (older sister to Village Kinder Abigail) and Village Alum Zachary K. (now in 7th grade at Campbell Middle School). Each author had an opportunity to speak to the audience and then autograph copies of their award-winning books.

Amanda’s beautifully illustrated book, Firefighters, tells the story of Bob the fire truck and his firehouse friends. It also provides historical facts about firefighters. Firefighters was the first time Amanda had written in the “personification style,” and she was very proud of the result. Said Principal David in the district video about Amanda’s accomplishment, “She puts a lot of effort into what she does, and just loves to learn.” Amanda’s proud mom Stephanie S. was excited to learn that Amanda had won the award. Said Stephanie, “Amanda has always dreamed of being a firefighter, and worked hard over several weeks on the project.”

Amanda personally delivered a copy of her book to the real firefighters at the Sunny Oaks Station, who were thrilled to receive this special gift from an aspiring firefighter.

Amanda was kind enough to answer a few questions about her book and her award:

What is the name of your story, and what is it about?
It is called Firefighters. It is a personification book about a fire truck. It includes facts about firefighters. It is written in a story form.

What made you decide to write a story about firefighters?
When I grow up I want to be a firefighter.

When and where were you when you found out that you won the award?
In Ms. Roberta’s class after lunch.

Does your story have a message to the reader? If so, what is it?
Firefighters are an important part of life. Without them, many buildings could burn and people could die.

What types of stories do you typically like to write?
I like the personification style, and also stories about animals.

Are you working on another story? If so, what is it about?
I am working on an essay about the solar system.

Tell us about the illustrations in your book. Do you like to draw?
Yes! I wrote the book first and then I made the illustrations to go along with the book.

What was the awards ceremony like? What was your favorite part?
I liked when I got my certificate.

For more information,

• View a video vignette of Amanda discussing her book, Firefighters
• Read or buy Amanda’s book on Bookemon
• Learn more about Amanda and the other 2016 Rising Young Authors on the District website