Teen writers at home at library

Clarkston Optimist Kelly Schaller, at left, and Alexa Lalejini, youth and teen librarian, at right, lead the teen writers group. Photo by Phil Custodio

The upcoming month of November is National Writing Month, perfect for the Clarkston Teen Writers Group, meeting on Wednesdays twice a month at Clarkston Independence District Library, 6495 Clarkston Road.
“It’s a really great group. It’s nice to have a place to write with everybody,” said Alexa Lalejini, youth and teen librarian.
The group, formed in partnership with Clarkston Optimist Club, started a new session in September. Kids ages 8-15 from all over the district attend – all are invited.
“It’s been going quite well, with good retention – a lot of the original members are still there,” said Kelly Schaller, a member of Clarkston Optimist Club and teen advisory board when she helped start the writing club two years ago.
Alan Partington from the Clarkston Optimist Club also helps out.
“A lot of kids want to share their writing and discuss them with each other,” Lalejini said. “We occasionally give prompts, but what they write is completely up to them, fiction, non-fiction, whatever they want.”
They also have special activities, like a visit by local author Phil Maniscalchi III, who will visit in November to talk about writing his book, Disposable Magic.
For more information, email Lalejini at lalejinia@cidlibrary.org.

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