THE BEST BOOK I (ALMOST) NEVER WROTE

Some stories are so close to home, we don't recognize them. A stranger had to tell Jackie Minniri that her father's World War II story -- and the girl Jackie was named for -- would make a good book for middle schoolers.

"The picture on the book cover is my father when he was stationed in Rennes," Jackie said. "The little girl with him is Jacqueline, but we were unable to find her to get permission to use her likeness, so the cover artist photoshopped her face and replaced it with mine when I was 12."

    

 THE BEST BOOK I (ALMOST) NEVER WROTE

My dad is a WW II veteran who turned 99 in October. The day after D-Day, he was a handsome young army sergeant arriving in Rennes, France, with the 127^th General Hospital. During his tour of duty, his heart was stolen by a little French girl named Jacqueline. For some reason that was never clear, she took a liking to my father and began following him to the hospital in the morning and waiting for him at the hospital gates when his shift ended. The tale of their friendship was the only war story he was willing to share, often with misty eyes, and it eventually became part of our family lore. He never tired of retelling the tale of how I got my name.

When I retired from 25 years of teaching and started my second career as a writer, Dad began urging me to put the story on paper. I explained that, while the family loved his narrative, it would not interest the average reader. Besides, while there might be enough material for a short story, there certainly wasn’t enough to fill a book.

But the seed had been planted, and Jacqueline took up residence in my mind, a character in search of a story. I found myself drawn to the faded pictures in my dad’s old photo album where a little girl with dark curly hair smiled back at me. What was it that drew her to my father? Where was she now? Did she ever think about the girl in America who became her namesake?

I’m not a believer in coincidences, but a chance encounter with a stranger set into motion the chain of events that gave me the answers I was seeking. At my son’s wedding reception, an unfamiliar man approached me. “I have to talk to you,” he said, motioning me to a table where my dad sat. “Your father says you’re a writer. He’s been telling me the most amazing story. You’ve got to write a book about it.”

I smiled politely and started to explain why it couldn’t be done, how the story wouldn’t appeal to the average reader, but he stopped me. “I have a daughter in sixth grade,” he said. “She doesn’t know anything about World War II. She’d love to read a story like this, and it could help her learn history.”

And there it was – the Eureka! moment.  A cartoon lightbulb went on over my head. Why hadn’t it ever occurred to me to write this as a book for younger readers, especially after I’d spent so many years teaching reading in middle school?  When Jacqueline met my father, she was the same age as the kids I’d taught. She’d be a perfect character in a story written for them. And there was so much they could learn from her. I could do this!

My research took me deep into the history of the Second World War. I was amazed at how little I, only one generation removed from these events, really knew about the bravery, selflessness and sacrifice that characterized the veterans of the Greatest Generation. My admiration grew until I felt compelled to make this era come alive for young readers.

As I began writing, Jacqueline was soon joined by her brave mother, a mischievous Jewish boy and his family, a stylish young French woman, a grumpy nun, and a one-eyed cat. The story unfolded before my eyes, and as the characters took on lives of their own, it was sometimes difficult for my written words to keep up with them. They showed me the importance of faith, family, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit.

For as long as I can remember, I’d dreamed of becoming a published author. When I finally typed “The End,” I knew that this was the book that would make it happen. Sure enough, the manuscript was picked up by Anaiah Press, and I was rewarded with the proudest moment of my life - putting that book in my father’s hands.

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Jackie Minniti was born in New Jersey where she spent 25 years as a classroom teacher and was an education writer for the Courier Post. After retiring from teaching, she moved to Florida and became a writer. She is currently a columnist for The Island Reporter in St. Petersburg. Her  first novel, Project June Bug, the story of a young teacher’s efforts to help a student with ADHD, won several awards, including Premier Book Awards “Book of the Year.” Her stories have also been included in Chicken Soup for the Soul collections.

Jackie has a free study guide for teachers and parents with reading activities, vocabulary lists, and reproducible skills worksheets cross-referenced with the Common Core standards for Language Arts/Literacy (grades 4-8) and Social Studies/History (grades 6-8) at www.jackieminniti.com.

"Jacqueline" is an $11.99 paperback and a $2.99 e-book.  
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jacqueline-jackie-minniti/1122339883
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011SCVPJS
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/jacqueline-12

Comments

[Marcia Talley]

As the daughter of a US marine who served in the South Pacific during WW2, this story brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad you wrote it, and I'm going to give it to my granddaughters for Christmas!

Thank you!

[Elaine Viets]

Welcome, Jackie, and congratulations on your book. I hope you find your namesake some day.

[Jackie Minniti]

Hi Marcia,
I can't express the admiration I feel for the men and women who served in WWII! They truly were the Greatest Generation, and we owe them a debt we can never repay. I salute your dad for his service.

[Jackie Minniti]

Thanks, Elaine! I appreciate the opportunity to share my story. I'm hoping that the book might be the key to reconnecting with Jacqueline. I know it's a long shot, but I believe in miracles!

[Mac Wheeler]

Best of luck with the book...says a peer on the other side of the bay...who happens to be married to a 6th grade reading teacher :)

[Jackie Minniti]

Thanks, Mac! I'm hoping the book will give kids a sense of how different things were during WWII and how much was sacrificed by their great-grandparents to secure the freedom they now enjoy. Please ask your spouse to check out the free study guide at my website. As a former teacher, I wanted to make it as easy as possible for teachers to share JACQUELINE with their classes. The study guide contains everything they need.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Speechless.Fabulous. Inspirational. Thank you!

[Charlaine Harris]

What an excellent story, Elaine. I hope Jackie writes more books, and I know her father is very proud of her initiative.

[Jackie Minniti]

Hank, thanks so much for your kind words. You've made my day!

[Jackie Minniti]

Charlaine, after my dad read the book, he called me in tears and said,"Kid, you really did it. I'm so proud of you." It was like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one.I guess we never get too old to want to please our parents!