Dec 4, 2015 3 min read

When she came to Washington Park Elementary School on Friday, Pittsburgh author Sharon Flake talked to fifth-grade students about her book, “Unstoppable Octobia May,” but she also talked about her “quirky brain.”

Flake asked students if they – like her – had trouble with spelling or grammar.

“It’s not that we’re not smart,” she told those who raised their hands. “It’s not that we can’t do it. We think differently. It’s a lot of hard work.”

Despite her “quirky brain,” Flake became an award-winning author whose books are read in classrooms and across the world. Intended for children and young adults, her stories feature strong characters who persevere.

“I’m always trying to encourage girls, especially, to speak out and learn to appreciate who they are because they struggle with that more than guys,” she said.

In “The Skin I’m In,” published in 2007, 13-year-old Maleeka Madison – “tall, skinny and dark-skinned” – struggles with being accepted. In “Unstoppable Octobia May,” the title character is smart and inquisitive.

But it’s 1953, and people think she asks to many questions. Luckily, Octobia May is guided by her empowering Aunt Shuma.

“She is at a time when black people don’t have all the rights they would like,” Flake said. “So (Aunt Shuma) is determined to raise this girl to be free-thinking and go for what she wants. At the same time, she’s a great example.”

Flake found the message of verification resonated, not only with girls, but also boys and women. She created “Aunt Shuma’s rules for being unstoppable you,” a list of 12 tips for success, given to students Friday.

“Aunt Shuma’s rules are not so much embedded in the book as something I believe in my own life: don’t give up, hard work, finding your voice, it’s OK if you’re not perfect, self-esteem, learning to like yourself just the way you are, realizing you’re not alone,” she said.

Sharing her own struggles and journey to success, she said, helps kids to rise above “feeling small.”

Ryan Bunting, a Washington Park Elementary educator who is working as a Benedum Master Teacher with Washington & Jefferson College, said students immediately identified with Flake.

“The kids were very receptive to her, because she’s so personable. And the fact that she’s African-American, as are a lot of our students, they think, ‘If she can do it, I can, as well,'” Bunting said.

Flake encouraged students to continue writing their own stories and reading.

“All kids can read. It’s about getting the right book into their hands,” Flake said. “They will find their way to a book that may not be their story, but they can find their story within that story.”

Flake’s visit was sponsored by the W&J Education Department, W&J’s conflict resolution concentration and Benedum Master Teacher Grant.