Book publishing firm honors grade school's young authors

The sixth-grader at Ojus Elementary has never won an award for his writing, but he has been able to hone his interest in the craft.

``I've written science fiction, adventure and a mystery,'' David said.

David has been able to do this through the Landmark Books program at the school, 18600 W. Dixie Hwy.

``My favorite part is that you get to do your own illustrations, and you get to do a biography,'' he said.

Students in the program write, illustrate and edit their own books. The process includes creating a book jacket and writing an author's autobiography for the jacket. Landmark Books holds a national contest at the end of each school year for its participants.

``It's a national program and it promotes critical thinking, vocabulary and writing,'' said Jeanne Friedman, principal of Ojus Elementary.

The top five children receive full scholarships to college and get their books published, Friedman said.

On Friday, Ojus Elementary celebrated its involvement with Landmark Books at ``Young Authors' Day '96.'' Founder David Melton, an author and illustrator, conducted several workshops throughout the day for students and teachers.

The program began at Ojus Elementary in 1991, under the direction of gifted program teacher Donita Gay. Since then, the school has made the program a mandatory element of its second-through-sixth-grade curriculum.

``Everyone has to do it,'' Friedman said. ``Our limited-English students start books in their native language, and it takes time, but it turns to English.''

Friedman said the program instills responsibility, as the children must meet deadlines.

``You set goals to be ready to send it off to Kansas City by May 1,'' Friedman said. ``Landmark tells you to make a big deal out of the books, and we do. Parents get involved, too.''

David's father, David Copeland Sr., 47, said he became involved with the program because he noticed a change in his children. Copeland also has a 9-year-old daughter, Diana, a third-grader, working on her second book.

``You can't help but get involved because your kids will bring the assignment home,'' Copeland said. ``It's a major project that takes months of their work. You can see the improvement in their story lines.''

David enjoyed being a Landmark author so much that he plans to continue entering Landmark contests well after his graduation in June.

``I'm just going to do it by myself and send it in,'' he said. ``I think it's a very good thing they [Landmark Books] do.''

Friedman agreed.

``This is truly a creation. We force them to finish it, and that's the nicest part. They actually bring it to completion. The children who say they can't draw can take pictures. Instead of an `I can't' [attitude], it's that they can.''

Friedman said the most important aspect of the Landmark Books program is the increased self-esteem the children experience when seeing their books finished.

``I love the self-esteem growth the children get,'' Friedman said. ``You cannot put a price tag on the joy and achievement these children get.''