BPL 2021 Local Authors Expo Spotlight: Berkeley Owens and Madelyn Grant

 

Berkeley Rae Owens book cover.

Madelyn Elizabeth Grant book cover.

Author names: Berkeley Rae Owens and Madelyn Elizabeth Grant 

Title of books: Black Entrepreneurial Excellence Series for Kids featuring Alonzo Herndon by Madelyn Grant and Phyllis Wheatley: The First African-American Poet and Book Publisher by Berkeley Owens 

Favorite quote that you live by: 

Berkeley: “Words are powerful.” –By my Mom, Shanta Owens. 

Madelyn: I have a favorite poem that I live by entitled “The Man Who Thinks He Can” by Walter Wintle. I memorized the poem. It’s also posted on my bathroom mirror. 

About the authors: Madelyn Grant and Berkeley Owens are 12-year-old seventh-graders at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. They are also first cousins. In Madelyn’s spare time, she enjoys developing entrepreneur business plans, playing basketball, and playing soccer. In Berkeley’s spare time, she enjoys cooking, playing basketball, and running track. Berkeley is the daughter of Rahman and Shanta Owens and has a younger brother, August.

 

Links to buy the books on Amazon.com: Phillis Wheatley: The First African-American Poet and Book Publisher by Berkeley Rae Owens 

Black Entrepreneurial Excellence Series by Madelyn Elizabeth Grant 

Birmingham, Ala. – The Birmingham Public Library’s 2021 Local Authors Expo, being held this Saturday at the Central Library, will give attendees a chance to meet 25 authors and buy their books. The youngest authors wrote their books at just 11 years old. 

Now 12, cousins Berkeley Rae Owens and Madelyn Elizabeth Grant have always been close. So it comes as no surprise that the girls, daughters of identical twin Jefferson County judges Shanta Owens and Shera Grant, both decided to write books at the same time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March 2021, Berkeley and Madelyn, then age 11, released their first books. Both Amazon Best-Selling authors, will participate in their very first book signing at this Saturday’s Local Authors Expo.

 Berkeley Rae Owens book is entitled Phillis Wheatley: The First African-American Poet and Book Publisher. According to the National Women’s History Museum website, Phillis Wheatley was born around 1753 in Gambia, Africa and brought to the United States after being captured by slave traders in 1761. Upon arrival, she was sold in Boston, Mass., to the Wheatley family, who educated her and Phillis published her first poem at age 14. 

Madelyn Elizabeth Grant’s book is Black Entrepreneurial Excellence Series. The series aims to inspire youth to pursue goals of becoming business owners.

 In a Q&A interview with BPL, Berkeley and Madelyn talked about their new books and shared advice for other kids who desire to write books.

 BPL: You two became Amazon best-selling authors at age 11. How did you accomplish this at such a young age and how does it feel? 

Madelyn: I accomplished it by hard work and support from others. It feels really good to know that I'm an author at 12 years old. I feel accomplished. 

Berkeley: I accomplished this with the help of my mom and my family supporting me through the process of writing my first book. It feels absolutely amazing to be an Amazon best-seller! 

BPL: What inspired you both to write books? 

Madelyn: Someone inspired me to write the book. Mr. Fred (Jones) encouraged me to write this book. He knew that I was interested in learning about entrepreneurs. So, I started doing the research, and he helped guide me through the process. With his book publishing expertise, I was able to achieve my goal.

Note: Dr. Fred Jones, speaker at Saturday's Local Authors Expo, is a book coach and publisher/trainer.

Berkeley: I was inspired by my mom during the COVID and summer break from school. Mr. Fred gave me this great idea to turn my 5th grade school project about Phillis Wheatley into a story.

BPL: Who is your favorite author and why? 

Berkeley: Most recently I have enjoyed Langston Hughes’s poetry and books by Alan Gratz. I like Langston Hughes because of the realness of his poems and the way he portrays his feelings. His poems speak to me. I like Alan Gratz because of his writing style in the book, “Refugee.” 

Madelyn: I don't have a favorite author at the moment because I read so many books and like them. Blended by Sharon Draper is one of my favorite books. I enjoyed the book because of the struggles that the family was able to overcome. I also think that it's pretty cool that my creative writer teacher (Ashley M. Jones) is an accomplished author and Alabama's first black poet laureate for the state of Alabama. Note: Ashley M. Jones is one of the keynote speakers at Saturday’s Local Authors Expo. 

BPL: What do you hope readers get out of your books?

Berkeley: I hope they learn something about Phillis Wheatley and I hope that it shows them that writing your own book could come from a 5th grade project. Madelyn: I hope readers learn more about black economic power and entrepreneurship. I also want all kids to know that they can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it. 

BPL: What has the reaction been from fellow students and others that you’ve both written books at such a young age? 

Madelyn: All of my friends have been amazed and think it's really cool that I've written a book. Berkeley: My friends are all surprised because I haven’t talked about it much. So, when I showed them my book, they were all surprised! 

BPL: Any advice for other kids your age or younger desiring to write a book? 

Berkeley: Go for it! Again, this was my fifth grade project and now I’m an Amazon Best-seller. Big things can come from young people with a goal. 

Madelyn: Perseverance is the key.