Published authors, all of them

SPRING HILL — One way to encourage a love of books among elementary school students is to have them write, illustrate and publish their own. Such a project is going on around Deltona Elementary School with the help of writing resource teacher Brad Durspek.

Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders are producing individual stories, while kindergarten through second-grade students are creating classroom books.

The teachers decide the topics and the format, such as poetry or short stories, fiction or even family recipe cookbooks.

The students are using Studentreasures publishing kits from Nationwide Learning Inc. 2008. Each third- through fifth-grader will get a free book and can then order extra copies for a fee.

"This is the first time we've done this schoolwide," Durspek said, "because I want the kids writing and I want them to enjoying writing. Any time they're writing is a plus."

Jocelyn Craig's fourth-grade class was in Durspek's resource room recently when the children received their kits and began the process.

"I think it's fantastic," she said about the publishing opportunity. "It gives them something that they will keep forever. Whether or not they realize it now, they're going to treasure it."

Craig said the students will be practicing creative writing, word selection and the writing process, helping them prepare for Florida Writes!

The steps are prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing. "Normally, they don't get to do the publishing part," Craig said.

With colored pencils flying, it appeared that the students, as they got started, were enjoying the project. Craig's group was doing a collection of memories.

"I'm so excited," said Victoria Ripley, 9. "It's pretty cool, 'cause when we grow up we can show our kids and they might want to be writers themselves. I'm going to keep it and read it to my children. I want to inspire them to be writers." Victoria's working title is My Adventurous Life.

Kelsey Manns, 9, whose book is called Mystery of Me, said, "I think it's pretty cool." Kelsey plans to "hug it and read it to my baby cousins when they're older."

Kevin Ngo, 10, whose book is Cool Me and Friends, said, "I think it's really fun, 'cause I get to write about my memories and have fun." He looks forward to comparing his stories to his friends'.

Other titles included The Fantastic Memories of James Adams by James Adams, 10; My Wonderful Life by Jared McMullin, 10; and An Adventure of Sean's Life by Sean Kinney, 10.

Sean said he's going to let his mother read his finished book and then keep it "in my room in a good, safe spot."