Middletown Teacher Has First Book Published

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Amanda Halpin, a Special Education teacher at Farm Hill School in Middletown, has had her first children's book published.

School officials made the announcement Wednesday.

Halpin has brought her creativity from the classroom to the pages of her debut book, "Onyx Pearl," which is, "a testament to her ongoing commitment to inspiring young minds both within and beyond our school walls," school officials said.

Halpin's journey to becoming a "published author" started long before she began writing it.

"I used to create stories as a child on car rides or just hanging around the house," Halpin said.

She said her passion for writing was further nurtured by an experience in fifth grade, when her teacher paused the class to read one of Amanda's poems aloud. The moment left a lasting impact, she said. and fueled her literary aspirations.

"Onyx Pearl," the protagonist of Halpin's book, is a character that lived in the author's imagination for more than a decade before coming to life on the page. The story follows Onyx, who initially lives in a black-and-white world, as she discovers the beauty of color and nature. Accompanied by her loyal canine companion, Monochrome, Onyx embarks on a journey of self-discovery and wonder.

Drawing from her experiences in Middletown classrooms, Halpin found inspiration in her students' genuine reactions to new experiences.

"One of the things I wanted to portray about Onyx Pearl is her innocence, the way that she interacts with nature is so genuine and real," Halpin said.

Halpin said she hopes that her book will encourage children, including those she teaches, to appreciate the natural world around them, especially in an age dominated by technology.

The book's themes of discovering beauty, appreciating nature, and resilience strongly resonate with Halpin's experiences as an educator in our district.

"I hope that Onyx Pearl inspires children to take pleasure in looking at the natural world," she said, while emphasizing the importance of outdoor experiences for children's development and creativity, a value she continues to instill in her students.

Bringing "Onyx Pearl" to life was a collaborative effort. Halpin worked closely with illustrator "Dania Z" to create vibrant imagery that evolves from grayscale to full color as Onyx's world expands. Halpin said she paid special attention to character design, drawing inspiration from her own students in Middletown Public Schools to capture Onyx's transformation throughout the story.

For Halpin, the writing and publishing process was both challenging and rewarding. She said she had to navigate unfamiliar territory while balancing full-time teaching and family life.

She did, though, find the experience fulfilling.

"Adding the words published author to my name has been an exciting experience and I have learned that sometimes the things that scare us most are the exact things we need to do," she said.

To aspiring writers, especially those in the education field, Halpin offers encouragement.

"You should start with an idea," she said. "Everything comes from that. You can take your time and make whatever you want to create come true.

"It's never too late to pursue creative passions and that imperfection is part of the process"

Halpin is also in the early stages of writing a book of poems.

Halpin has scheduled a book reading and signing at Adelbooks and More in Middletown (100 Riverview Center in Middletown) on Friday, Oct. 11, from 5 to 6 p.m.