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Lyndonville’s seventh grade students were visited by Keely Hutton, co-author of the recently published memoir “Don’t Look Back.”
“Don’t Look Back” tells the story of the 10 years that co-author, Achut Deng, survived at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya after her family was ripped apart by the Second Sudanese Civil War.
Hutton presented to students her experiences with teaching and writing, her writing process, and how the memoir came to be, over months of researching, interviewing, writing, and editing.
Students then asked Hutton insightful questions about her books, her ideas, and her 14-step writing process, which students will then look at applying to their own writing works in their English classes and beyond.
A signed class set of “Don’t Look Back” has also been purchased. Students have already read the first two chapters prior to Hutton’s arrival, and are excited to read and analyze it in its entirety during their spring English classes.
At the end of the discussion, Hutton played a video from Deng, who sent an inspirational message for students, along with her regrets at being unable to attend in-person.
“I hope you find inspiration in my story to overcome any obstacles you may face in your life. Never forget who you are, and remember to always keep moving forward,” Deng shared.
Partnering with Julie Berry of the Author’s Note bookstore in Medina, Hutton is one of a number of authors visiting the area to speak to local students about their newly-launched books.