Two Dearborn students and a former classmate have turned a middle school class project into a published book they hope to use to help save for college.
Edsel Ford High School freshmen Jumana Abbas and Thao Ho, along with then-classmate Mona Ahmed, collaborated in their WEB Leadership class at Stout last year to create a children’s book that focused on Ramadan. Ms. Abbas and Ms. Ahmed are listed as authors, and Ms. Ho is the illustrator.
All of the middle school students in the WEB class made children’s books and donated copies of their books to some of the elementary schools that feed into Stout. However, teacher Marla Wiacek said the girls’ book, Mina’s Ramadan Adventure, was very well done from the start. Publisher Roula Fahs agreed to work with the girls and their families to bring the book to market.
A paperback copy of the book is $15.99 on Amazon.
Ms. Abbas said, “This whole experience felt amazing, and it taught me the importance of patience and hard work. I still find it hard to believe that this is really happening, and I’m so proud of myself, as well as Mona and Thao.”
She recalled when Ms. Wiacek pulled the girls aside to tell them she thought the book was worth publishing and that she was willing to help them find a publisher.
“Even though the book is about Muslims, I am Christian, so there’s diversity with one another and it has been amazing,” Ms. Ho said. Ms. Abbas said that given their backgrounds, she and Ms. Ahmed agreed to write the book if Ms. Ho would do the illustrations.
It would still take months of refining the book before it was ready to go to press.
“This experience definitely had its challenges with patience, but it was all worth it in the end,” Ms. Ho said.
Mina’s Ramadan Adventure follows six-year-old Mina. When she sees her parents and teachers fasting for Ramadan, she wants to try too. However, she discovers fasting is not as easy as she thought it would be.
Teacher Ms. Wiacek praised the students for their work on the book.
“I am so proud of them and the work they’ve put in thus far. I’m more than happy to help spread the word of their accomplishment,” she said.
WEB Leadership is a program where older students volunteer to be school leaders including assisting newer students as they transition to the school. At Stout, WEB Leadership is also an elective class. Students interested in this elective must apply the year before and receive two recommendations from staff. Last year, more than 140 students applied for the 45 openings.
During the year-long elective, students focus on developing their own leadership traits through reading, reflection, discussion, and extension activities. They then apply those leadership skills to planning, prepping, and implementing activities for the building that focus on creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness for all of the students. WEB students serve in many smaller leadership roles throughout the school year, such as assisting teachers, supporting the building recycling program, and helping families during open house and conferences. They also lead the spring orientation program for the fifth graders at Stout’s feeder schools.