6th Grader at Black Hawk Middle School
Nyomee Triggs, a 6th grader at Black Hawk Middle School, recently participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), a challenge where students aim to write a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. Although she began her book in 4th grade, she wasn’t able to finish it at the time. This year, however, Nyomee completed her novel and had it published, earning a personal copy and having one placed in the school library as well.
Tell us about yourself.
“My name is Nyomee, I’m in sixth grade, my favorite subject is math or art and some of my hobbies are drawing, watching my phone and eating. And I like sweet things like cake and vanilla ice cream.”
What is the title of your book?
Can you give us a summary?
“My book is called Leaving Home and it is about a girl who had to leave her country on her 16th birthday and start a new life in America. It was hard for her because she didn’t know English and her mom died. Later she learned English and had a baby brother. She grew up and had kids of her own and now she and the rest of her family are going back to her hometown of Kenya. I am making a second one called Coming Home.”
Describe the process of writing your book. What was the part you enjoyed the most?
“When I first started the book, I was in fourth grade and had the opportunity to join NaNoWriMo, which was a way for young people to make books and have them published for themselves. In fifth grade I had another opportunity to write it, but then that teacher left too. I remember sharing it with my teacher asking her for advice and if she liked it. When we were working on the part of the story when she was arriving in America my teacher said I should add more detail about her trip. That was my favorite part when writing it.
Then I did the cover, author write up and summary and had to wait forever and ever to get it published. The day my book came I wasn’t in school. Now there is one copy published in the school library and a copy for myself.”
Anything else you would like to share?
“I like avocados. They are my favorite.”
