Veronica Chambers
I.S. 145
Jackson Heights, Queens
June 12-16, 2000

Beginning June 12, young-adult novelist Veronica Chambers spent a week working with sixth graders at Jackson Heights' I.S. 145. Her visit began with an honors English class, in which students eagerly anticipated meeting the author of Marisol and Magdalena: The Sound of Our Sisterhood, the book they enjoyed so much, which they had received several weeks ahead of time. The students were full of questions about Veronica's influences, her writing process and especially the sequel to Marisol and Magdalena: The Sound of our Sisterhood. Veronica spoke about the parallels between the book and her own childhood: eating Spanish food and wanting to assimilate into American culture. She had the students rapt attention; it seemed that many of them were familiar with this. They were fascinated with her life as a writer, her Panamanian background, stories of her family here and abroad and moving around a lot as a child.

When asked how she began writing, Veronica explained that she kept a journal when she was younger and continues to do so now. She encouraged students to do the same, as a way of recording their ideas and feelings, regardless if one is an aspiring writer or not.

Students were particularly enthralled by her stories as a journalist, particularly her work for such magazines as Seventeen, YM, and various music reviews she had written and interviews she had conducted. Veronica passed around a clip book of articles she had written ranging from music to fashion, books and Oprah. She amazed students with her stories of interviewing Tori Amos, Dave Matthews, Busta Rhymes, Gayl Jones, and Missy Elliott, among others. They were equally impressed when she told them she traveled with the "Lilith Fair" tour as an assignment.

Feedback from students and teachers regarding Veronica's book was extremely positive. It seemed that many students related well to her story of feeling culturally displaced and the desire to assimilate. Veronica asked students how they felt about the novel taking place in another country. They replied that it was interesting and different, some were even familiar with the setting. Because the school is made up predominantly of Dominican Americans, so Veronica' references to Hispanic culture were a familiarity for many of them. Veronica also admitted that she was nervous about the girls enjoying the books more than the boys, which was in no way the case. The boys responded that they enjoyed the book a great deal, and even drew comparisons among the characters and female relatives of theirs!

When asked repeatedly about the sequel to Marisol and Magdalena, Veronica refrained from giving too much of the new book away, although students were full of questions as to how various situations resolved and almost pleading with her to read some of it. She limited this conversation to giving them hints and wetting their appetites even more for the sequel. This was when students asked her to return next year, so they may get copies of that book as well!

On Tuesday, the faculty prepared a welcome breakfast for Veronica and parents. Veronica met with an intimate group of parents who thoroughly enjoyed her book and were eager to discuss with her what she and the students were working on.

As a week-end assignment, Veronica asked students to write their own ending to the book. Many versions starred the students themselves. The week ended with a farewell book signing. Students were excited and so appreciative to keep the books and have them signed by Veronica, a first for many of them. Participants from I.S. 145 were sorry to bid Veronica farewell, but were so glad to have had her there, and for a full week. Program liaison, Rosemarie Flanagan, expressed her gratitude to the Foundation for the Family Literacy program and making Veronica's visit possible. Veronica also remarked that she was grateful for the opportunity and would be happy to return to I.S. 145 and discuss the sequel with students. She was glad to have been asked by the Foundation to partake in this unique and special program.