The giving tree - Short Stuff - teenage writer Elana Ackerman

Girls' Life, Feb-March, 2003

At 14, Michigan native Elana Ackerman was a published writer and Newbery Award recipient. Now 15 and celebrating her book's one-year anniversary, Elana is basking in the success of in the Shadow of the Tree. While she was undergoing treatment for leukemia, writing helped Elana feel more in control.

She saved a bunch of her poems, but never imagined turning them into a book. With help and encouragement from Lynne, a counselor who taught Elana at writing camp, Elana created In the Shadow of the Tree. Elana explains. "There's so much beauty in nature, and I wanted to write about positive things. It's been an amazing experience to see the book come together." Her biggest thrill is getting letters from kids who've used her book as a way to handle being sick. What we find thrilling is that Elana has donated all the proceeds (so far, an awesome $30,000!) to cancer research. You don't have to be sick to enjoy this great book. Get it for $19.95 by calling 1-800-284-1155.