Chelmsford High Freshman Provides Illustrations For Sci-Fi Novel

CHELMSFORD, MA — The new sci-fi fantasy novel "Cryptid Academy" is about a middle school for golems, djinns, nagas and fairies, but it has a connection to Chelmsford High School.

The book, by Sudbury-based author Howard Wolke, was illustrated by CHS freshman Lucy Frankland.

Fifteen of Frankland's illustrations are featured throughout the book, which is available on several major bookselling websites. It is Wolke's first novel.

"It was cool that he chose my work," Frankland told the Chelmsford Public Schools website. "It's definitely (a book) for middle schoolers, but I like it. It's a good storyline."

Wolke is a Frankland family friend and said that last year he was looking for a middle school-aged illustrator for his book about a middle school.

"I liked the idea of an eighth grader doing the illustrations," Wolke said. "Lucy has a great mental eye for what the characters look like and her style is perfect."

Frankland, whose mother Amanda is an art teacher at Keystone Montessori School, said she was sent a copy of the manuscript to help her determine how the characters should look.

Frankland and Wolke then held several virtual meetings as Frankland developed the appearance of the characters.

"Lucy did such a great job working with me on this," Wolke said. "Every step of the way, Lucy was there and with it, and her illustrations are amazing."

According to Wolke's website, the book is about Emmett, a golem who is new at the Collinstein Academy, a middle school full of mystical characters. When student projects are being destroyed, Emmett is determined to find out who is behind the destruction.

"It's about how they get kind of torn apart because of things that happen in school, and how they regroup and include everybody and exist together," Frankland said. "I like the mystery part of it. It's about truth. The main character is a golem, and they're built upon truth, so they can't tell a lie. So that's kind of an interesting addition to the story. But I like that it's about inclusivity and truth."

In a write-up by Chelmsford Public Schools, Wolke said he already is working on a sequel to "Cryptid Academy," and that he approached Frankland about providing the artwork.