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“Overall, the class and I thoroughly enjoyed having Ms. Laberje
share her story with us. The book’s overall message was positive.
As Ms. Laberje left on her last day of reading, the class continued
to discuss the overall theme of the story and what it meant to each
student. The discussion was rich and each student was eager to
share his or her interpretation. This outcome alone shows the
impact that this author and work had on my students.”
-Tammy
Barnes, 4th Grade Teacher, on Reji’s reading of her original young
adult fantasy book, “Cooper Ridge, The Wonder Kid” and on the
continued sharing of her book “The Tale Travelers #1: Henry’s
History”.
In
Cooper Ridge, The Wonder Kid, a mid-grade to young adult fantasy
book of 31,114 words, the line between dreams and reality is crossed
when a quadriplegic boy imagines he is a great ball player while he
sleeps. Such dreams would not be extraordinary if strange changes
weren’t happening in the body of the twelve-year-as a result; Coop
is growing stronger and healthier and then there are the mysterious
times that his body appears to have moved in the night. Could he
really be living the dreams made of real memories that his mother
theorizes are carried down from the stars on the wings of
fireflies? What if he could trap those gifts; could he live in that
imaginary life – in somebody else’s memory – while he is awake? If
so, who must live a nightmare while Cooper has stolen the dream and
what will happen if Coop must choose between returning to his
handicapped life and the one he has always hoped to lead? Follow
Cooper Ridge from dreams to reality and from wheelchair to sneakers
(and back?) as he must learn how to live in a world not made for him
and how to live with himself, no matter who that self is.
Reji
is seeking a publisher for this work. Request more information by
visiting the
Contact the
Author
page.
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