Authors to visit students at North Ogden’s Maria Montessori Academy
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- Literacy Week is ongoing at North Ogden’s Maria Montessori Academy, photographed Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
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- Children’s author Misty Black will be at North Ogden’s Maria Montessori Academy on Friday, March 21, 2025.
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- “Shadow Casters” author Jared Woodcox will be at North Ogden’s Maria Montessori Academy on Friday, March 21, 2025.
NORTH OGDEN — Literacy Week is in full swing at North Ogden’s Maria Montessori Academy, a tuition-free public charter school located at 2505 N. 200 East.
As part of its mission to foster a love of reading and storytelling within students, the school is continuing its tradition of welcoming authors into its halls.
This year, authors Misty Black and Jared Woodcox will speak with students on Friday about tapping into their own creativity and developing the ideas that come as a result.
“Every story starts with an idea, and we have ideas that come to our mind all the time, constantly,” Black told the Standard-Examiner. “We all have these ideas going on in our heads and it’s great to pursue them. Some come to fruition, some don’t, but part of life is to be able to follow your dreams and work on those ideas.”
Black, who’s based in Clearfield, writes children’s books like the “Fizzle Fun” series, “With Love” collection, “Punk and Friends Learn Social Skills” series and the “Bubble Head Adventure” books. Many of her books include activities and learning material; related lesson plans are also available on her website.
According to teacher and Literacy Week committee member Jennifer Hall, Black will be speaking to students in kindergarten through third grade.
“It’s very uplifting and it’s so fun to be able to influence kids for the better,” Black said of working and reading with young students.
Black’s next book, “Thank You For Sharing Your Sunshine,” can be previewed at her site, https://www.mistyblackauthor.com/.
Woodcox, meanwhile, will discuss his books and the writing process with students in fourth through ninth grade. The Colorado native plans to speak with students about the stories that inspire them in addition to leading exercises designed to help them consider the concept of showing versus telling in their own narrative writing.
Like Black, Woodcox relishes the opportunity to share his perspective with students and fledgling writers.
“I really enjoy it. My favorite one I got to do was at my alma mater elementary school. It was the same fifth grade class that I once sat in. That was super nostalgic because I loved writing back then,” Woodcox told the Standard-Examiner. “When you make it fun and just get the kids excited about it, I’ve had really good experiences.”
Woodcox’s own literary journey began with an idea he was compelled to pursue, even as the path to publication wasn’t always immediately clear.
“It’s a lot of leaps of faith. Am I doing this the right way? … Am I making the right choices as far as how I’m getting everything out there?” he said. “You have to take those leaps of faith because if you just sit there and debate with yourself the whole time, nothing is ever going to happen.”
The first entry into Woodcox’s “Shadow Casters” series was released in September. The young adult fantasy series follows the story of Kaito, Sumi and Nigel, a new generation of shadow casters — magical warriors who form their hands into unique shapes to summon creatures and weapons from the shadows — fighting for a world where some no longer accept them or their ancient art.
“Shadow Casters Book II: Defense of Huo Quiana” is set to release March 31. The Kindle edition is currently available for preorder via Amazon or by visiting https://shadowcasterseries.com/.
Hall said being able to hear from authors who brought their ideas to fruition is a source of inspiration for students.
“They realize that people write books, but it’s not real to them that they could actually do that,” Hall said. “So, I think it’s really great for them to meet somebody who has done it.
“They write books, and their ideas are valued by others. I think that’s really powerful for kids to be able to take pride in their writing and that they might be able (to do the same thing).”
