They may look like your average first-graders, but Darlene Robertson's students will soon be sharing a spot on the bookshelf with such famous authors as J.K. Rowling and Brian Jacques. Why? The Kennett, Missouri, kids were named special America Remembers commemorative winners of Scholastic Book Fairs' 16th-annual Kids Are Authors program.

Chosen among thousands of entries, their book, September 12th...We Knew Everything Would Be All Right, delivers a message of hope in the wake of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.

The young authors remind readers that the world did not end on September 11. They recall the familiar and comforting routines of going to school the following day, being greeted by their teacher, playing at recess, and doing homework.

Once Mrs. Robertson's class came up with a story, students worked in pairs and in groups, sketching pictures for each of the book's 29 pages. They then added color to their pencil drawings with bright crayons to create their vibrant works of art.

"They love to write," Mrs. Robertson says of her 18 students. "They were so eager to draw. I handed them each a blank piece of paper, and they just drew and drew."

In the end, the book's message is simple, says Mrs. Robertson. "When things happen that are bad, small children want to know that the world is still safe," she says. "It's a comforting book."

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  Our Country Write & Read Books by Catherine M. Tamblyn Build early reading and writing skills-and teach about our country-with these reproducible nonfiction books that kids help write and illustrate! Just photocopy the book patterns and invite kids to fill in the blanks to create their own personalized take-home books. Topics include the flag, states, presidents, and more. 96 pages. $14.99 Professional Book | Grades K-2

  
  Our Country Write & Read Books
  Grades K-2 $14.99
  
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  Langston's Train Ride by Robert Burleigh and Leonard Jenkins Langston Hughes, at 18 years of age, boards a train in Ohio, heading for Mexico. On this journey of self-discovery young Langston pens his famous poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" on the back of an envelope. This inspiring story of artistic vocation and creation is accompanied by the poem and beautiful illustrations. "A joyous celebration of the journey and the word." - SLJ. $4.95 Paperback Book | Grades 3-5

  
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  Grades 3-5 $4.95