The Magic Pencil, a powerful novel for young adults, is the story of Malcolm Bakersfield and the star of his latest and greatest dream, Nia Stellar.Nia is "the new girl" at Gillespie School. Malcolm quickly notices she's definitely different from all of the other kids he knows.Malcolm becomes as mystified as Nia is mysterious.Many wonderful things continue to happen with Nia on the scene. She challenges Malc to be better than his best and he soon discovers amazing things about himself and the world!We join Malcolm in his quest to discover the secret to the power of the pencil! And we'll uncover hidden powers within ourselves, along the way.The Magic Pencil is also for the young at heart and is appreciated by all ages. It is the only book explaining from a young African American boy's viewpoint, that everyone speaks differently depending on their present audience and situation.I wrote the book especially to attract "uninspired readers" and guide them toward improving literacy, self-esteem and problem solving. There are many ways to teach and everyone must do their part. I don't believe we should be aiming toward producing "cookie cut" children. But we can all be about tailoring toward their varying needs as a COMMUNITY.The Magic Pencil provides suggestions and effective strategies for positive results in an "edutaining" way!
About the Author: Karen E. Dabney resides in Detroit, Michigan. She possesses a BFA from The University of Michigan and a BA from the University of Detroit Mercy. She enjoys writing and doing visual art. Karen also works with youth in many capacities; thereby keeping her inner-child well-fed. Publications as author or artist include: 44th Barack H. Obama The Commemorative Edition, Michigan Chronicle, For My People newspaper, Journal of Non-White Concerns, The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Newsletter, The University of Michigan Dearborn's The Michigan Journal, To the Poet in You, and Necessary Roughness: a self-published book of poetry. Karen was accepted to attended writing workshops with the Voices of Our Nation's Arts Foundation (VONA) and The Hurston/Wright Foundation. She is a member of the the International Reading Association, Urban Theater Magazine, National Conference of Artists, the Motown Writers' Network, Broadside Poets' Theatre, Project B.A.I.T, Concept East Theater, and Urban Theater Magazine. The Magic Pencil is Karen's first novel for young adults. Although the book is geared toward the "tween" crowd, it is enjoyed by people of all ages. She also wrote and illustrated her first book, Unhappiness Is, at 14 years of age. The book sheds a comedic light on everyday situations and challenges. It contains 150 captions for illustrations. Karen is promoting literacy to keep minds lit!