Whiz Kid: Young Author Inspires District, Community

Taran Manuel

Name, Class: Taran Manuel, fifth grade

School: Cool Valley Elementary School (in )

Accomplishment: Taran published his first book, Mark’s Addiction: With no hope, there is no understanding.

Key to Awesomeness: While attending the four-week RISEN Foundation’s “RISEN Publishing Camp 4 Kids,” Taran learning about writing styles and how to publish books. He was inspired during the camp in hearing stories about substance abuse and, in turn, decided to write a book. Mark’s Addiction focuses on substance abuse and how it affects a community.  Since being published, Taran has received letters from Sens. Claire McCaskill and Joseph Keaveny. He’s also sent books to Kieni Kia Ndege Primary School in Kenya, Africa.