Middletown Public Schools is proud to announce that Amanda Halpin, a Special Education teacher at Farm Hill School, has recently published her first children's book. This achievement adds "published author" to Halpin's list of accomplishments while she continues her dedicated service to our district's students.
Halpin has brought her creativity from the classroom to the pages of her debut book, "Onyx Pearl." This publication is a testament to her ongoing commitment to inspiring young minds both within and beyond our school walls.
The journey to authorship for this Middletown educator started long before she put pen to paper. "I used to create stories as a child on car rides or just hanging around the house," Halpin recalls. Her passion for writing was further nurtured by an experience in fifth grade when her teacher paused the class to read one of Amanda's poems aloud. This moment of recognition left a lasting impact on young Amanda, fueling her literary aspirations.
"Onyx Pearl," the protagonist of Halpin's book, is a character that lived in the author's imagination for over a decade before coming to life on the page. The story follows Onyx, who initially lives in a black and white world, as she discovers the beauty of color and nature. Accompanied by her loyal canine companion, Monochrome, Onyx embarks on a journey of self-discovery and wonder.
Drawing from her experiences in Middletown classrooms, Halpin found inspiration in her students' genuine reactions to new experiences. "One of the things I wanted to portray about Onyx Pearl is her innocence, the way that she interacts with nature is so genuine and real," Halpin explains. She hopes that her book will encourage children, including those she teaches, to appreciate the natural world around them, especially in an age dominated by technology.
The book's themes of discovering beauty, appreciating nature, and resilience strongly resonate with Halpin's experiences as an educator in our district. "I hope that Onyx Pearl inspires children to take pleasure in looking at the natural world," she says, emphasizing the importance of outdoor experiences for children's development and creativity, a value she continues to instill in her students.
Bringing "Onyx Pearl" to life was a collaborative effort. Halpin worked closely with illustrator Dania Z to create vibrant imagery that evolves from grayscale to full color as Onyx's world expands. The author paid special attention to character design, drawing inspiration from her own students in Middletown Public Schools to capture Onyx's transformation throughout the story.
For Halpin, the writing and publishing process was both challenging and rewarding. As a first-time author, she had to navigate unfamiliar territory while balancing full-time teaching and family life. However, she found the experience incredibly fulfilling, stating, "Adding the word published author to my name has been an exciting experience and I have learned that sometimes the things that scare us most are the exact things we need to do."
To aspiring writers, especially those in the education field, Halpin offers encouragement: "You should start with an idea. Everything comes from that. You can take your time and make whatever you want to create come true." She emphasizes that it's never too late to pursue creative passions and that imperfection is part of the process. This ethos of embracing one's creativity is not limited to Halpin's children's book writing; in fact, she is in the early stages of writing a book of poems, further stretching her writing muscles.
Middletown Public Schools celebrates Amanda Halpin's achievement and looks forward to the positive influence her book will have on students in our district and beyond.
For those interested in meeting the author and hearing her read from "Onyx Pearl," Halpin will be doing a book reading and signing at Ă„delbooks and More in Middletown (100 Riverview Center Suite 135, Middletown, CT 06457) on Friday, October 11, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This event provides a wonderful opportunity for the community to support one of our educators and experience her storytelling firsthand.