It was an unforgettable opportunity for Canton scholars as they interacted with Belcher Jr., a teenage author from Macomb County. He’s written three children’s books and published his first one at age 9. The stories focus on Lego Boy and his superhero friends saving the day from a variety of villains.
Students gathered in the school gym and listened to Belcher Jr. read “The Story of the Curse.” The experience was not simply an author reading to students, Belcher Jr. stopped and asked students comprehension questions throughout the experience. Students shared who their favorite character was and why, demonstrating their engagement and understanding of the story.
First-grade Teacher Kristina McLaughlin met Belcher Jr. last summer and invited him to read to students at Canton. She said events like this are impactful for students because it helps them see what is possible for themselves.
“Darien shared that he was inspired by his summer school teacher to write his first book,” McLaughlin said. “This message was especially powerful because it was relatable for students and reinforced the idea that their teachers can inspire them to achieve great things. Hearing a success story from someone close to their age helped students believe in their own potential and encouraged them to reach for the moon.”
At the conclusion of the reading, Belcher Jr. took time for a Q&A session with students. They asked the teen author how he came up with the ideas for his books, how long the process took, and if he drew the book’s pictures.
The conversation wasn’t all about Belcher Jr. and his books, though. Students learned about the author’s growth through his teenage years and how he worked through adversity to accomplish his goals, highlighting Moral Focus™ virtues that helped him along the way.
“He explained that after publishing his book, he was interviewed many times and had to give speeches,” McLaughlin said. “He openly discussed how shy he was at the beginning and how challenging public speaking felt. However, the more he practiced, the more confident and comfortable he became. His message emphasized the importance of courage, perseverance, and self-belief.”
This opportunity helped students connect with a local role model and also served as a chance to celebrate Black History Month. McLaughlin said the event was a celebration of Belcher Jr.’s voice and accomplishments as a young Black author.
“Darien’s journey also reinforced the importance of representation and inspired scholars to recognize that they, too, can make meaningful contributions and achieve success at any age,” McLaughlin added.
Belcher Jr.’s visit accomplished its goal in celebrating reading, a local author, and Black History Month. Students left the school gym with a sense of connection to their guest and a fresh desire to open up a new book.
“Events like this inspire scholars to read by helping them see reading and writing as meaningful, exciting, and achievable,” McLaughlin said. “Meeting an author allows students to understand that books are created by real people with ideas, imagination, and determination. Darien’s visit sparked curiosity and motivation, encouraging students to read more, ask deeper questions, and envision themselves as readers and writers.”
What an amazing event! Keep up the great work, Mrs. McLaughlin and everyone at Canton Charter Academy!
Canton Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Canton, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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