This kid is creating the future he’s imagined.
A Dallas fifth-grader is writing the books he wants to read to put into his school’s library, The Dallas Morning News reports.
Elijah Robertson is a fifth-grader at Clara Oliver Elementary School in Dallas, Texas. Recently, Elijah was inspired by the National School Library Month celebrations held at his school in April. Many of his classrooms have a library, and Elijah and his brother Tory are a part of the school district’s MLK oratory program. It encourages writing and oratory skills in elementary schools by using the teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the celebrations, Elijah took issue with just one thing - he didn’t see the specific stories he wanted to read. That’s when he decided to write his own.
“The next day, I looked at the library, and I wondered if I could make a book on the website,” Elijah recalled.
He then wrote three adventure fiction novels intending to put them into his school library. He learned of the e-book self-publishing platform wattpad.com from his younger sister Josephine, who also served as the inspiration for his books. Afterward, he shared his books with his stepmother, Shequita Robertson.
“She was really proud. She was about to throw a party,” Elijah said.
Principal Cheryl Freeman said she’s proud of Elijah, who is modeling the school’s motto of “learn today to lead tomorrow.” Elijah’s reading and language arts teacher, Robin Bryan, said she’s not surprised at his entrepreneurial endeavors. Bryan notified the librarian immediately as soon as she learned that Elijah was a published author.
“He’s the student that hurries to finish his work so he can read at his desk whenever he gets the chance,” said Bryan.
The 10-year-old hopes to create 15 more books to share with his school in the fall. For now, his first three are published at wattpad.com under the name “thewiseman777.”
Congratulations, Elijah!
Photo Courtesy Brandon Wade/Dallas News