When most kids hit the annual summer break, there’s one thought on their mind—fun; fun at the cottage, fun on vacation, fun with their friends. But for 12-year-old Victoria Sprenger there was no question what it meant for her. Summer was time to “write” and write she did!
Victoria is now a published author. Her novel, The Underground League of Princesses, was published by KfK Books (Kids for Kids Books) and launched in September 2008. Victoria and her family attend Sheridan Park Alliance Church in Mississauga, Ontario.
“It was always in her,” says her mom, Valerie. “Vickie has always wanted to be a writer. Even when she was little, she wanted a diary to write in even though she couldn’t read yet.”
Victoria began writing the novel in June just after finishing Grade 6. “It took most of the summer, but I really enjoyed it,” she said, adding she’s been writing stories “for around three or four years now” with lots more bubbling up inside her.
A supportive teacher at her school, Hillcrest Public, connected her with KfK. Victoria was invited to submit her book and on Christmas Day found out that the book would indeed be published.
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The Underground League of Princesses is set in medieval times and its awesome story provides great incentive for summertime reading adventure…You would think that Princess Erika always had fun – wearing the finest gowns, eating delicious food, visiting with her friends…BUT when she notices that her father the King is spending endless hours in his study, she wonders. AND when she finds the secret… |
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Once The Underground League of Princesses came off the presses, KfK held a book promotion event at a historic venue in June, where Victoria, dressed as a princess complete with an encrusted tiara, did a reading from the book and signed autographs.
Said the publisher in a news release: “(Victoria’s) adventurous novel is action packed, provides a satisfying ending and yet leaves the reader yearning to read more about the Underground League and its leader Princess Erika. Vickie’s fictional characters are not only determined but striking and intelligent. These princesses are great role models.”
For many of the young people at Sheridan Park Alliance and at Hillcrest school, having a published author as a friend “is really cool.” That reaction is the most common, Vickie says, followed immediately, by those who’ve read The Underground League, with the comment “are you going to do a sequel?” The novel has so engaged them that they’re itching to learn what happens next to Princess Erika. Victoria is now hard at work, at age 13, on a sequel.
Her school and church friends, teachers and family have all encouraged her in her writing. “Lots of people told me that I should (write the book),” she says. Her family encouraged reading with her Mom and Dad both noting that the house is filled with books. “We read to her and her sister every night. Now we’re reading Jane Austen together,” said her mother.
Kids for Kids Books describes itself as a company promoting the creativity of young people in the community. It works with elementary schools and libraries across Ontario to discover young talented writers, give them opportunities to showcase their work and help them achieve success.
For many churches, creativity and youth generally equate with musical ability and leading or participating in worship teams. Meanwhile, other young people who are engaged in video or multimedia productions or, as in Victoria’s case, writing, go unknown and unrecognized. The community and commercial publishers are working hard to encourage young creativity. Can the church do less?
