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Saturday, Jul. 25, 1998
Young 78415 writers polishing signatures
Authors will sign copies of their book today
By MARY LEE GRANT
Staff WriterEleven-year-old Amanda Flores wrote her name with a flourish on a blackboard.
``Look at my signature,'' she yelled at her friends. They screamed with delight, writing their own names, surrounded by hearts, in chalk.
Today they'll put those perfected signatures in about 500 copies of their first book, ``The Power of 78415.''
These first-time authors, like their older counterparts, were thrilled but nervous as they anticipated signing their books for a crowd of strangers at an event at 2 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
``I won't be able to sleep,'' Aaron Alaniz, 8, said with a big grin. ``I'm too excited.'' Stephany Longoria, 9, said she is excited too, but nervous.
``I'm scared of all the people,'' she said.
Children wrote stories and poems depicting life in the neighborhoods of the 78415 ZIP code, which has been identified as one of 11 ZIP codes in the state with the highest rates of juvenile crime. The book is the end-product of a six-week class put on by the Corpus Christi Park and Recreation Department.
Amanda, who wrote ``How I Can Make My Life Better,'' said that she is excited to be a published author.
``I never thought I would be an author,'' she said. ``I hope the book helps other kids to stay away from gangs.''
Staying away from gangs was part of the message in ``How I Can Make My Life Better.''
I canAmanda said it's important that the book for kids was written by other kids.
pass all my tests in school.
I can help my friends do their work.
Be smart and stay in school.
Be nice to my family.
Stay away from Drugs and Gangs.
``If kids are aware they can help other kids,'' she said.
Sarah Diaz, 11, plans to stay up late anticipating the book signing.
``I feel very proud because it means my parents are proud of me,'' she said. ``I hope kids will learn from this book that drugs can kill you and that gangs are bad and you can go to jail. I feel happy about being a role model.''
Mando Camina, one of the teachers of the budding writers and illustrators, gathered the students on Friday to stress the importance of what they had accomplished.
``The main thing I want you to take away from this is that when you make the effort, your dreams can come true,'' Camina said. ``All of you are going to be role models for Corpus Christi and are going to touch people in ways that they have never been touched before.''
Camina said that before the youths began preparations for the book-signing, many had never been to a bookstore.
``When they first went into Barnes & Noble, their eyes were as big as the building,'' Camina said. ``They got the feel of books and the look of books in their heads. Now, I hope they will go back there, or to the library.''
Bob Wallace, another of the students' teachers and an author of children's stories, told the youths on Friday to remember they can achieve their goals.
``Continue your education,'' Wallace said. ``You can be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher if you just stick to your goals, stay out of gangs and stay in school.''
Linda Hodge, a city employee who organized the program, told the children that by becoming published authors they've done at a young age what many, including her, only dream of doing. ``You are inspiring me,'' she said.
Corey Trejo, 9, has been inspired to keep perfecting his signature until the last moment for his debut in a signing that will equal that of adult authors.
The children will sit at a long table decorated with balloons in front of the children's book section, said Janis Haas, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble. The books will be distributed free to youths.
``I think it's wonderful for them at this age to have a signing,'' Haas said.``Some of the things they have written are really strong pieces. ''
Camina said that the book signing and being recognized as authors will change the children. ``They will see themselves differently,'' he said. ``I just hope they can carry that with them.''Post your comments about local news eventsFront Page || Main Index || News || Business || Texas || South Texas Outdoors || Birdwatching || Sports || Entertainment || Selena || Education || South Texas Attractions || World Wide Web