The WJPS book club recently welcomed back New York Times bestselling young adult author Mark Oshiro for his third visit to the school.

Throughout the school year, club members prepare for author visits by reading a book and creating projects or activities based on the book.

Club members have been reading the novel “The Court of the Dead” authored both by Oshiro and Rick Riordan. The novel is tied into the Percy Jackson series created by Riordan.

Oshiro’s visit to WJPS is part of the Lambda Literary Author Visit, which works to create LGTBQ+ storytelling, promote creative freedom, and allow students to build connections between issues in their lives and the literature they read.

WJPS teacher and adviser Ms. Szabo said these events allow students, “To get to know more about the book itself, the author, and how the book was made.”

WJPS seventh grader Sadie Duchene described the book as “about adventure, overcoming things, [and] being true to yourself.” 

WJPS seventh grader Jaelyn Ford said she liked, “How he [Mark Oshiro] answered the questions, [and] his honest opinion on things.”

WJPS book club is offered to WJPS middle school students. If interested in joining, see Ms. Szabo for more information.