- Sponsorship -

Fifth-grader publishes book, sequel to come

Meet the Future: Isaiah Lowe

Name: Isaiah Lowe
School/grade level: Discovery Elementary School
Passion:
Writing books

Kentwood — Fifth-graders at Townline Elementary School were eager to know: “Does Mike find his parents?” 

“You’ll have to wait and see,” answered Isaiah Lowe, author of “Mike’s Madness: Free,” a book about a boy who escapes an orphanage and is searching for his parents. The story ends in a cliffhanger.

The writer — adept at teasing his sequel — is a fellow Kentwood Public Schools fifth-grader at Discovery Elementary. He recently visited Townline during National Reading Month for a Q&A session with students who all read his book in preparation for his visit. 

They asked questions about what inspired him, what will happen next in the series (“Mike’s Madness: The Beardville Zoo” is planned for publication in the next few months), about characters and his process.

Townline students ask Isaiah questions

“I just didn’t give up,” Isaiah said about becoming an author. “You never are too young to accomplish your dreams.”

Students also shared affirmations with Isaiah: “I thought it was really cool that he started writing a book in third grade and had the motivation to do what he did,” said Townline fifth-grader Xavier Robinson. 

Isaiah visited Townline with his parents, Takeisha and Chris Lowe, who are also published authors. His father, Chris, illustrated Isaiah’s book.

“He’s always expressed that he wanted to be an author and director as well,” said mom Takeisha Lowe. “When he brought the idea (of the book) to us he said, ‘Why do I have to wait until I’m older? Why can’t I do it now?’ We took on the challenge to make it happen.”

‘You never are too young to accomplish your dreams.’

— fifth-grader Isaiah Lowe

Here’s more about Isaiah:

When did you decide to write a book, and how did you go about it? Isaiah said he was reading in the school library in third grade when the idea came to him. “I just was thinking about how people make books and I was thinking about an idea for my own book,” he said.

He said he started writing and kept at it when he had time. The story just flowed.

“While I’m writing or typing, it just comes to me,” Isaiah said. “I have a really big imagination and I think about other books that I’ve read.”

Parents Takeisha and Chris Lowe helped Isaiah publish his book later through Amazon Global Publishing

Discovery Elementary School fifth-grader Isaiah Lowe chats with his dad, Chris Lowe, before the Q and A

Who has supported and inspired you? “My mom and dad have inspired me and my classmates have cheered me on. My teacher (Sarah Butler) is really inspiring and encouraging.”

Butler described Isaiah as a talented and hardworking student who is a great role model for others and always “rises to a challenge.” She often notices him freewriting.

Do you plan to pursue this professionally? “I want to be a famous, professional author.”

What other hobbies do you have: Isaiah also loves filmmaking. 

“I like doing stop-motion animation with figures I have at home.” 

Townline Principal Angelia Coleman said Isaiah is a great example for students.

“Our focus is belonging, making sure our students belong and know they … can be successful,” Coleman said. “Bringing in a student they can relate to, who has already done something amazing, is priceless.”

Read more from Kentwood: 
Got a nose for news? Student learn about careers in journalism
He is the Kentwood story

- Sponsorship -
Erin Albanese
Erin Albanese
Erin Albanese is managing editor and reporter, covering Kentwood, Lowell and Wyoming. She was one of the original SNN staff writers, helping launch the site in 2013, and enjoys fulfilling the mission of sharing the stories of public education. She has worked as a journalist in the Grand Rapids area since 2000. A graduate of Central Michigan University, she has written for The Grand Rapids Press, Advance Newspapers, On-the-Town Magazine and Group Tour Media. Read Erin's full bio

LATEST ARTICLES

Related Articles

- Sponsorship -

Issues in Education

Making Headlines

- Sponsorship -

MEDIA PARTNERS

Maranda Where You Live WGVU

SUSTAINING SPONSORS