Chester 8th Graders Publishing Books

CHESTER, NJ — Two Chester eighth graders are publishing their debut fiction novels, and will celebrate at a book launch party in May.

Ana Clara Monaco and Omar Bejarano, both students at Black River Middle School, are publishing their novels this spring. The books are the result of a residency with author Stephen Kozan and illustrator Tony Mulfair during the last school year. The residency came after teacher Joseph Pizzo applied for and received a grant from the Educational Foundation of the Chesters.

Monaco wrote "Project Moirai," a dystopian futuristic novel, and Bejarano wrote "Entre Dos Mundos," a fantasy fiction novel.

The book launch will take place on Wednesday, May 17 at the Chester Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. The authors will be available for book signings.