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Christopher

August 11, 2016 SMP Staff
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Christopher was born in Washington, DC. He is in the band and plays the tuba, also called the Sousaphone. He is also a Reach tutor. He goes to Simon Elementary School and tutors 2nd and 3rd graders. He is an AVID student and a member of the Ballou Story Project. 

BOOKS BY CHRISTOPHER

Featured
Humans of Ballou
Humans of Ballou
14.99

ISBN: 978-1945434006

Proceeds from book sales go to a Ballou HS scholarship fund and to empower new authors.

The students of Ballou High School know a different Washington, DC than do the more than 18 million tourists who visit our nation’s capital each year. They live in Southeast DC, across the Anacostia River, and the tour buses don’t go through their neighborhoods. Some travel guides explicitly call the communities East of the River “areas to avoid.” Even some residents of the District don’t often visit Wards 7 and 8, as the river acts as not only a literal boundary, but a metaphorical one. The bridge that should connect these two Washingtons is all too rarely crossed.

The statistics about poverty or crime or violence in this community tell such a limited story, and it’s not the only story to tell. Those statistics should not build a wall that hides the humanity on the other side. Young people grow up in these neighborhoods, often too quickly, facing adult challenges too young. But they also grow up as all young people do: with joy. With talent. With pride. With love for their families, both biological and chosen. With style and humor and ambition and charm. For them, Southeast DC, and their own Ballou High School, is more than the headlines that others write -- it is home. And for the educators who work with these young people every day, they know that the stories we tell--and hear--about ourselves make all the difference.         

This is why we write. These are the stories not on the tour. As one student put it, “[Come] to my side of town and... see what’s monuments to me.” Meet these Humans of Ballou, both student and educator, who speak up not only for their school and their neighborhood, but for the many communities across the country who need to be seen and heard, on their own terms.      

Humans of Ballou is the third volume of The Ballou Story Project, a program that provides a platform for these students to tell their own stories and act as leaders in their community. Learn more.

 

 

Our Lives Matter
Our Lives Matter
14.99

ISBN: 978-0692455388

2015 INDIEFAB Finalist: YA Nonfiction Book of the Year

2015 INDIEFAB Finalist: Child Author Book of the Year

Proceeds from book sales go to a Ballou HS scholarship fund and to empower new authors.

Through the course of a historic year of civil unrest and the emergence of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, thirty teen writers from Frank W. Ballou High School in Washington, DC came together to take part in this national conversation about race, inequality, violence, and justice. Through their powerful, personal stories these writers intend to Change the Narrative about youth of color. We are not thugs, they say. We are not victims. We are big sisters and sports stars, academic strivers and everyday heroes. We speak out for justice. We dream big dreams. These writers want more for themselves, more for their community, more for their generation. And they are challenging their readers to listen, and to recognize in each story a common humanity worthy of dignity, support, and respect. This riot of voices must be heard. Learn more.

 

How To Grow Up Like Me
How To Grow Up Like Me
9.99

ISBN: 978-0692309568

Proceeds from book sales go to a Ballou HS scholarship fund and to empower new authors.

"Your Story Is Your Strength." This is the mantra that emerged from a six-month writing project at Ballou High School in Washington, DC, in which eleven dedicated freshmen and six determined seniors told their stories of ambition and struggle in what came to be known as The Ballou Story Project. Together their poignant, powerful voices come together to tell a collective story of How To Grow Up Like Me, a kind of instruction manual for determination, grit, and daily acts of hope and courage.

 

 

NONPROFIT PARTNER

Nonprofit Author Gallery
Ballou High School
Aug 10, 2016
Ballou High School
Aug 10, 2016

Ballou High School is located "East of the River," in Ward 8, SE Washington, DC. The Ballou Story Project series provides a platform for these students to tell their own stories on their own terms and act as leaders in their community. Learn more.

Aug 10, 2016

REVIEWS

Reader Responses
Our Lives Matter
Jun 7, 2018
Our Lives Matter
Jun 7, 2018

See! This book right here demonstrates how a movement should be constructed. Instead of focusing on the negative people within a community who often times get the publicity for their actions, it's best to demonstrate to others, especially minorities and those of low economic status, that there are individuals out there who are trying their best to change their outcome. Our lives matter showed me, a fellow African, that there are kids in inner cities who are going against the status quo of doing or selling drugs, getting pregnant or just not caring about life. It was refreshing and sad to see that some of these teens had to grow up quickly because of their parents and their situations.

Jun 7, 2018
Our Lives Matter
May 24, 2016
Our Lives Matter
May 24, 2016

The common theme through “Our Lives Matter” is one of hope and determination. These teenagers refuse to be judged and pigeonholed, offering their stories to emphasize their differences, their commonalities, their dreams and their commitment to education and change. Through it all forms a thread of hope that the new generation will make the world a better place and fight the barriers that keep us separated.

–Louisiana Book News

May 24, 2016
Our Lives Matter
May 3, 2016
Our Lives Matter
May 3, 2016

Mini essays by a bunch of high school students about their hopes, dreams, aspirations, and pasts. Highly enjoyable read, and very timely too.

--John, goodreads reviewer and Indiefab award judge

May 3, 2016
How To Grow Up Like Me
Mar 11, 2016
How To Grow Up Like Me
Mar 11, 2016

Literally one hour after I had cataloged and displayed the book How to Grow up Like Me by The Ballou Story Project in our middle school library, it was seized upon by an 8th grade boy who is a reluctant reader, and to my knowledge, had only checked out one other book while in middle school. He made an instant connection with the honest and powerful stories written inside. This student ran down to show the book to his reading teacher and, according to her, he is absolutely captivated and now can’t wait to come to class to read the stories and hear the voices of these courageous authors. This is a great victory. Thank you for sharing this inspiring collection with our students. This is real. This is life-changing. -- Librarian, Hardy Middle School, Washington, DC

Mar 11, 2016
How To Grow Up Like Me
Mar 11, 2016
How To Grow Up Like Me
Mar 11, 2016

“I was so inspired by the powerful stories published by your students from Ballou! The narrative is so similar to my students here in Memphis and so many kids from urban school districts around the country. There is a need for a writing project like this in Memphis. Our students just don’t have as many opportunities as they should to express how they feel and to be listened to.” -- Teach for America Instructor, Memphis, TN

Mar 11, 2016
In Ballou Story Project Tags How to Grow Up Like Me, Our Lives Matter, Humans of Ballou, b1
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Thank you!
  • 2018
    • Sep 19, 2018 Meg Medina Writes New Foreword for "Voces Sin Fronteras"
    • Sep 13, 2018 Summer 2018 Update: New Readers, New Workshops, New Sneak Peeks
    • Aug 14, 2018 Illustrator Interview with Light: Four Years Later
    • Jul 23, 2018 Q&A: Reach Tutor and SMP Author Talks Writing Third Children's Book
    • Jul 11, 2018 SMP Story Coach Reflects on Summer 2018 NWMI Writing Workshops
    • Jun 11, 2018 Ballou Story Project Writers Visit Kendall Demonstration Elementary School
    • Jun 1, 2018 Book Launch – Voces Sin Fronteras: Our Stories, Our Truth
    • Apr 20, 2018 Save the Date – 5/30 Launch of "Voces sin Fronteras"
    • Mar 21, 2018 Local Elementary Students Write to Teen Authors of "Drip, Drip"
    • Feb 21, 2018 New Partner: Next Wave Muslim Initiative
    • Jan 30, 2018 "The Day Tajon Got Shot" Book Panel Discussion: Feb 8
  • 2017
    • Dec 29, 2017 2017 Shout Mouse Press Year-in-Review
    • Nov 10, 2017 Fall 2017 Update: New Books on the Way!
    • Sep 8, 2017 SMP 2017 Summer Update: Borders, Books, and Babies!
    • Aug 6, 2017 2017 Reach Incorporated X Shout Mouse Press Children's Book Teasers
    • Jul 31, 2017 SMP Intern Reflects on 2017 Reach Incorporated Writing Workshops
    • Jul 24, 2017 Illustrator Interview With Noam: Art Meets Social Justice
    • Jul 18, 2017 SMP Intern Reflects on LAYC Summer Graphic Novel Workshop
    • Jul 11, 2017 LAYC and Reach Incorporated Summer Workshops are Underway
    • Jun 13, 2017 "Our Lives Matter" Inspires Excel Academy
    • May 26, 2017 "Tajon" Featured Photographer, Amir, Explains Why He Went to Baltimore to Support #BlackLivesMatter
    • May 24, 2017 Spring 2017 Update: Do More 24, "Tajon," New Partner, and New Readers
    • May 12, 2017 Ballou Story Project Live was a Success!
    • Mar 27, 2017 How to be an Ally
    • Mar 21, 2017 A First-Time Feat for Ballou Class of 2017
    • Mar 2, 2017 Shout Mouse Winter 2017 Update
    • Feb 15, 2017 Shout Mouse Press Celebrates Black History Month
    • Jan 27, 2017 Happy Multicultural Children’s Book Day!
  • 2016
    • Nov 18, 2016 Reach 2016 Book Launch!
    • Nov 16, 2016 Unheard Voices, Divided Nation: What We’re Doing, How You Can Help
    • Nov 14, 2016 Behind The Scenes: 'Spanky the Pup: All Dogs Must Go'
    • Nov 2, 2016 Fall 2016 Update: New Grant, New Books, and Our First Book Tour!
    • Oct 28, 2016 #ShoutMouseDoesDenison: Litzi and Darne'sha Visit Denison University
    • Sep 30, 2016 Free Minds Authors REPRESENT AT National Book FestIVAL
    • Sep 28, 2016 Illustrator Interview with Carson: Art Meets Social Justice
    • Sep 7, 2016 Shout Mouse Celebrates National Literacy Month
    • Jul 25, 2016 Teen Authors on the Front Lines Against Prejudice
    • Jun 15, 2016 Why We’re Going to Orlando
    • May 3, 2016 New Non-Profit Partners in "Writing Solutions to Violence"
    • Mar 10, 2016 3 SMP Books Named Finalists in National Book Competition!
    • Mar 1, 2016 Turning the Page Uses Ballou Books in AmeriCorps VISTA Training
    • Feb 25, 2016 Shout Mouse Cheers On #1000blackgirlbooks
    • Feb 22, 2016 Beacon House Author Interview With Jonae
    • Feb 8, 2016 Authors of Trinitoga Connect to Young Reader in Prison
  • 2015
    • Dec 19, 2015 Beacon House Author Interview with Najae
    • Nov 20, 2015 Reach Book Launch: New Author Interview
    • Nov 18, 2015 Newbery Medal-Winning Author Launches Latest Reach / SMP Books
    • Oct 25, 2015 Ballou High School Author Meets Professor Fan at DC Author Fest
    • Aug 19, 2015 Shout Mouse Goes Global!
    • Aug 2, 2015 Story Behind the Story: Taking Down Ms. Moody
    • Jul 20, 2015 It's All Our Neighborhood
    • Jul 17, 2015 Boston Globe Spotlights Shout Mouse Partner
    • Jul 15, 2015 Reach Teen Authors Are At It Again!
    • Jul 2, 2015 Shout Mouse Books on National Radio and 2015 Summer Reading List!
    • Jul 1, 2015 END SLAVERY NOW Highlights Restavek Freedom Foundation Books
    • Jun 16, 2015 Poet Kyle Dargan Shouts About "Our Lives Matter"
    • Jun 10, 2015 BOOK LAUNCH! -- Our Lives Matter
    • Jun 2, 2015 Ballou Story Project 2: Books Are HERE!
    • May 13, 2015 Our Authors' Stories in the President's Hands
    • May 6, 2015 Reach Incorporated Wins National "Innovations in Reading Prize"!
    • Apr 30, 2015 DC Middle School reading "How To Grow Up Like Me" in the Classroom!
    • Apr 3, 2015 Every Shout Mouse Book in EVERY DCPS School!
  • 2014
    • Aug 1, 2014 Shout Mouse Authors connecting across the ocean
    • Jul 9, 2014 Ballou Story Project Author Profiled on NPR
    • Jun 10, 2014 Shout Mouse Press Goes to Haiti
    • Jun 2, 2014 Ballou HS Authors Recognized in Citywide Essay Competition
    • May 22, 2014 Gaithersburg Book Festival




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Shout Mouse Press is a nonprofit writing and publishing program dedicated to amplifying unheard voices. 

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