GMS Teacher Writes Book, Opens Doors

teacher Mandee Adams teaches her students that the world extends far beyond their front doors.

So it makes sense that she would write a book about a girl who finds a key to unlock a world of varied and diversity.

She will be signing copies of the book, “The Key to the Worlds: La llave de los mundos,’’ from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 6 at Barnes & Noble at the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury. The book is written in English and Spanish.

A percentage of sales from this weekend’s sales benefits the Grafton Middle School.

The book was written by Adams and Nuria Alonso Garcia and illustrated by Jessie Lee Perry. Together they form the company, Project Crisol.

At Project Crisol, they are committed to bringing a new trend of literature that celebrates the value of diversity and the power of language. Their work exposes children to two languages simultaneously, giving equal value to each language in which the story is narrated.  

The story revolves around a girl who unlocks a room in an attic and enters a world of colorful characters. She shares lessons with them about the importance of accepting people for who they are.

“We want kids to be exposed to as much as possible,’’ she said. “We want to provide young readers with a story that teaches universal values. It’s not a story that is specific to just one culture.’’

Adams teaches French and Spanish to seventh and eighth graders at Grafton Middle School. She encourages them to explore and learn more about the world around them.

She teaches them the importance of recognizing and appreciating the diversity of cultures in the world. “It’s really important to preserve that,’’ she said.

She has already written another book in the series and hopes that the multi-cultural approach will become prevalent in books aimed at young people.

“If this starts to be the next revolution in children’s literature, then we’ve done our jobs,’’ she said.