St. Peter Claver student authors surprised with free books

Eyes widened and jaws dropped Wednesday morning as St. Peter Claver second-graders received a surprise.

After spending weeks researching and writing a book titled “God’s Animals,” the newly printed hardbacks recently arrived at the Catholic school on Ward Street.

Only a handful of students could afford to purchase the collection of stories, but they learned from teacher Liz Milam that all 17 students were taking home a book.

Retired creative writing teacher Rose Mary McKelvey, the First Baptist Church of Christ book club and other friends donated copies to the children.

“(She) wanted to make sure that because you worked so hard on your books that you were all able to get a book,” Milam told the students, who were sitting cross-legged on a rug in their reading corner.

An incredulous girl on the front row asked, “Do we still have to pay for it?”

“You don’t,” the teacher answered.

“Ooooh,” one amazed little boy said before smacking his hand to his forehead.

Milam’s rendering of Noah’s ark of animals adorned the front cover, but the children’s artwork and school photos accompanied their own stories.

“I did the jellyfish,” one girl said.

“I did the scorpion,” another boy chimed in.

Milam thumbed through the book as the children proudly proclaimed the name of the author on each page.

“I want you to know I’ve never had a story in a book, I’m so envious of y’all,” McKelvey said as she passed out the books.

“Ooh, la, la,” a voice echoed over and over as the youngsters opened the books.

A flurry of excitement spread through the class as the students discovered their own pages and those of their friends.

“My bunny looks so cute,” one little boy said before spotting his buddy’s. “Luis, I found yours.”

One little girl’s little finger skimmed across the words as she read a classmate’s story and quickly pointed out a word was missing.

“I know, don’t bring it up,” the author replied sharply.

Anastasia Byrd said drawing the tentacles on her jellyfish took a while but was the most fun part of her drawing.

“It really feels good inside,” she said of having her own book. “This is my lucky day.”

Esmé Balmes read her story aloud: “Iguanas have scales. They have spikes on their backs, too.”

Luis Alvarez wrote about horses in the special keepsake of his classmates.

“I can remember them,” he said.

Johnnie Temple couldn’t wait to show his parents his story about yaks.

He was excited about collecting signatures and autographing others’ books.

“I can tell, ‘Your story’s great.’ ”

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 1:42 PM with the headline "St. Peter Claver student authors surprised with free books."