As a retired educator, I feel it is important for every student be encouraged to learn about college and career choices and that is exactly what today's author, Mr. Henry Kopia Keculah Jr, presents in his new children's book "What is College? College and Career Readiness for Elementary Students. Take a look and meet the author. Also, congratulations to Keculah as his book is currently ranked as #1 in African & Middle
Eastern Literature on Amazon.
What is College?: College and Career Readiness for
Elementary Students (Paperback)
by Mr. Henry Kopia Keculah Jr. (Author),
Lakeem Wilson (Illustrator)
It's never too early to start learning about
college or the career of your dreams. Follow Uche and B.J. as they explore what
college is. These two students share dialogue on how to prepare for college.
This book aims to help elementary students see the big picture.
Product details
Series: What
is College? (Book 1)
Paperback: 38
pages
Publisher: Independently
published (July 4, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 979-8648743366
ASIN: B08C97X4NP
Product
Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.1 x 8.5 inches
Shipping
Weight: 4.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer
Reviews: 2 customer
ratings
Amazon
Best Sellers Rank: #7,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Henry Keculah Jr.
Author website: www.40gpa.com
Goodreads site: https://www.goodreads.com/keculah
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Henrykeculahjr
Other: www.keculah.com
Author website: www.40gpa.com
Goodreads site: https://www.goodreads.com/keculah
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Henrykeculahjr
Other: www.keculah.com
Tell your readers a little about
yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc.
Let them get to know the personal you.
I grew up In Houston, Texas, and attended school in Alief ISD.
K-12 was interesting to me. I was placed in Special Education in the 1st grade.
I struggled with reading early on and was the kid that mispronounced the big
and small words when reading out loud. Both of my parents are Liberian.
Eventually, I overcame the obstacles of reading out loud and test out of Special Education. I joined my speech and debate team in high school and developed a passion for public speaking. High school was hard; I failed six classes and attended school perennially. I graduated at the bottom of my high school class with a 2.5 GPA but was still able to get accepted into the number one public in the state of Texas, which is the University of Texas.
Eventually, I overcame the obstacles of reading out loud and test out of Special Education. I joined my speech and debate team in high school and developed a passion for public speaking. High school was hard; I failed six classes and attended school perennially. I graduated at the bottom of my high school class with a 2.5 GPA but was still able to get accepted into the number one public in the state of Texas, which is the University of Texas.
What inspired you to author this book?
What inspired you to author this book? When I was in high school,
I did not know the importance of GPA's, SAT & ACT testing. My parents did not attend
high school in America. I remembered sitting with my counselor during my senior
year, and she told me I only had a good chance of attending one of the schools
I listed on my list. I wanted to create a book that exposes elementary students
to college early. Elementary students are very bright and underestimated.
Students should start preparing for college the moment they enter into a schoolhouse.
My high school friend and college roommate Uche passed away a few years ago, so
I dedicated the book to him. One of the other characters is named B.J. after my
nephew. My nephew is very bright and likes to ask a lot of questions.
Statistics for college graduates are not favorable towards African American
males. This book is designed to show a positive representation of African
American males and eliminate all negative stereotypes.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book's cover?
The inspiration for the book covered came from the annual
college tours I do each year with students. Students always ask questions when
they step foot on a college campus for the first time.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally
and as a writer?
I correlate writing with making music; in a sense, you are
telling a story. My aunt Angie Peabody inspired me to get into writing. Music
artist like Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Young Dolph, Rick Ross,
and Future influence my personality as a writer. I read the lyrics for the majority
of the songs I listen to.
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get
this book written?
I completed this book last year. Some of the obstacles I had to
overcome was making sure the formatting was right and finding the right company
to publish the book and creating dialogue that correlates with a fifth grader.
Tell your readers about your book.
This book is designed to expose students in elementary and
middle school to college and different career opportunities. The book shows the
importance of education and breaks some of the stereotypes younger students
normally have.
It's never too early to start learning about college or the career of your dreams. Follow Uche and B.J. as they explore what college is. These two students share dialogue on how to prepare for college. This book aims to help elementary students see the big picture.
It's never too early to start learning about college or the career of your dreams. Follow Uche and B.J. as they explore what college is. These two students share dialogue on how to prepare for college. This book aims to help elementary students see the big picture.
Who is your target audience, and why?
Elementary and middle school students. Libraries, schools, and
youth sports teams.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
Starting an education company that has been able to impact
thousands of students and put them on a trajectory towards success. It's all
about making a social impact and changing lives.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your
genre?
I don't follow other writers in my genre. I am telling my story,
that makes me unique.
