From Classroom Idea to Published Book: Two Queens 8-Year-Olds Celebrate Their Debut as Authors

Two young Jamaica authors were at a giveaway for the debut of their new book at the South Street Seaport McNally Jackson bookstore in Manhattan late last month.

Valencia Dhanraj and Malik Clarke, both 8 and third-grade students at PS 96 in South Ozone Park, are authors of “Robot Shark Finds a Friend.”

Valencia and Malik launched their book Feb. 28 with the help of New York Edge, a Woodside-based afterschool nonprofit, at the organization’s third annual Read Across New York Week event, which concluded March 6.

Malik was a panelist at the gathering, addressing a crowd of students and supporters.

“It felt really exciting when the class chose my idea for the story,” Malik said via email. “I came up with the theme and the main character, so seeing it turn into a real book made me really proud because I could share something I created with my friends and family.”

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