Highland Park native authors her first novel for middle grade students
Highland Park native Sara F. Shacter loves middle-grade books, science — particularly biology — and nature. She is also interested in how children are affected by relationships. The author explores all those topics in her engrossing first novel for ages 8-12, 'Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign.' The book is scheduled for release on Oct. 14 from Regal House Publishing/Fitzroy Books.
'I much prefer middle grade to books for adults. I feel like books for kids have a heart and there's always an element of hope,' Shacter explained.
In terms of the science aspects of the book, Shacter said, 'I've always been a science-y person. I really enjoy biology in particular, and I'm very much of a climate advocate.'
'Georgia' is the story of a scientific-focused sixth-grader whose family has moved many times. She is thrilled to be staying in the same school for a second year, especially since she has made a special friend, Izzy, who is equally enthusiastic about exploring science and nature. But by accidentally revealing her friend's secret, that friendship is in jeopardy, particularly since a third classmate is determined to 'steal' Georgia's friend. It seems like a hopeless situation until Georgia devises a science-based solution that reveals people are much more alike than they are different.
Shacter indicated that because of the deep divisions in our country, she hopes this story will help young readers and the grownups in their lives to focus on what brings us together.
It's a cause dear to the author's heart, reflected in Shacter's volunteer work with Braver Angels a nonprofit organization with the goal of 'Bringing Americans together to bridge the partisan divide,' according to their website.
'Braver Angels came to me after the 2016 election,' Shacter said. 'I was struggling a little bit because it seemed like, from everything I saw in the media, that half the country had different values than I did.'
She began meeting with a friend's husband, whose views were the opposite of hers, to talk about politics.
To her surprise, Shacter discovered, 'We weren't as far apart on things as I would have thought, and when you really got to the why of why somebody believes something, whys often overlap.'
She began searching for an organization that allows people to get together and talk across the divide. A friend recommended Braver Angels.
Since then, Shacter has helped with their newsletter and attended some of their events. 'What they do so well is bring people together from other sides and have moderated, respectful discussions about why people think the way they do,' she said.
'Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign' has been a long time in process, Shacter admitted. 'When my (twin) boys were in first grade, was when I first got the idea. They're about to be seniors in college.'
Shacter's first work of fiction was the picture book 'Heading to the Wedding' (Red Rock Press).
'I was at a dinner event for my husband's job — he was working at the Museum of Science and Industry at the time,' Shacter related. 'Someone said, 'I'm going to a wedding and I'm trying to find a children's book about what is it like and what you do at a wedding, and I can't find anything.''
Shacter recalled thinking, 'I could write that.' So, she did.
That was followed by another picture book, 'Just So Willow' (Sterling Publishing/Union Square).
The author said that she focuses on children's books because 'I found that those were the stories I had to tell. I was blessed to have a lovely childhood, and all the stories that came to me just happened to be about kids.'
Writing for children also seemed natural because she was a teacher, Shacter added. She taught English at Maine South High School in Park Ridge for 10 years and tutors children from kindergarten through high school.
She also served as a contributing editor for the nonfiction children's magazine, 'Ask,' and has written articles for 'Ask,' 'Click,' 'Highlights for Children,' and 'Yes Mag: Canada's Science Magazine for Kids.'
For more information about Sara F. Shacter and her books, visit sarafshacter.com.
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