Becoming a published author is an accomplishment that only few people can claim, but 11-year-old James Summers of Ackerman can put a check mark by that one.
James, theson of Mike and Maegan Summers had a poem published in Spider magazine, a magazine for elementary aged students. James, and his younger siblings, John and JoAnna, are home-schooled by their mother and he is in the fifth grade. James wrote his poem entitled Oh Homeschool as part of a contest for Spider magazine, which has different contests in each issue.
Spider magazine has a very large circulation and of all the entries James' poem was one of only six or seven that was published. He stated that he was a little nervous as he had entered previous contests with nothing published.
Oh Homeschool was not his first foray into the world of writing as he has written other poems, has drawn a picture book and has written a short book entitled The Legend of Black Jake.
Concerning his poem, James said, “I had several inspirations including my parents and grandparents who pushed me to publish it, and I also want to thank the library because it was their books that inspired my mind to start writing poems.” James was one of the top seven patrons of the Choctaw County Library this past year.
James' father, Mike, works with the Choctaw Regional Medical Center and his mother, Maegan, home-schools the three children.
Oh Homeschool by James Summers
Oh Homeschool, Oh Homeschool,
Don't make me cry-
Because I know with you
I can soon fly!
Oh Homeschool, Oh Homeschool,
You make my spirit soar-
Because I know that you
Are a very open door.
