In November 2015 I finished my first novel, A Shrouded Spark. This was a huge moment of success for me--I had been writing the book for almost 4 years. I was a graduate student at the time, studying education at BGSU, as well as completing two internships. Finishing this book during such a time was strenuous, to say the least. But I did it, and I was proud of it. The self-publishing process began in February 2016, and carried into my first year as a 5th grade English teacher. E

I got to share so much of this process with my students. They were the first to see the cover proof, the first to get the news of finalization, the first to SEE the physical book--everything. They witnessed and shared in the excitement and it was truly a sight to behold for twenty-three year old me.

Fast forward 2 years, 2019, and I’m teaching 7th grade. I now have the same group of students from my first year, my first group of 5th graders. The first thing they asked me when they realized I’d be their 7th grade teacher was, “Ms. Anglen, can we read your book this year?” and I was floored that they even remembered. Furthermore, this was the first time I had heard kids telling me that they wanted to read a book. I knew that I had to use that leverage, that momentum. And when my babies want something, I always make it happen.

So I went to my principal. Knowing that we have a prescribed curriculum, I knew that what I was asking might be pushing it. However, my principal was supportive and encouraged me to, at the end of the year, do the whole module. Because of a few...Read More