Amara Moore and Nathasha Thomas Share Zaria’s Heroes
We love celebrating the moments when learning becomes real work in the world. One of those moments came recently when Forest Online high school learner, Amara Moore, published a children’s book she originally wrote with her mom, Nathasha Thomas: Zaria’s Heroes.
Below, Amara shares more about the inspiration behind the book, what she hopes readers will take away, and how Forest School Online supported the project.
Q&A with Amara Moore
What inspired you and your mom to write Zaria’s Heroes?
“When I was in elementary school, my mother, grandmother, and I would do a Black History Month presentation for my class each year. In second grade, my mother and I decided to write a story to read to the class. This story was inspired by a bad day I had at school and the vivid dreams I had about several Black history heroes that I had been learning about. They are people I was really fascinated by because their stories helped me face my own obstacles.”
What is the book about in your own words?
“Zaria’s Heroes is a book about a young girl who has a rough day at school and is feeling discouraged. But then she goes to sleep and has a magical journey where she meets Wilma Rudolph, Augusta Savage, and George Washington Carver. It highlights the struggles of these African-American heroes and their contributions to the country.”
What do you hope young readers take away from it?
“I hope that after reading Zaria's Heroes, children will feel that they can overcome obstacles and accomplish anything they put their minds to. I also hope this is a launchpad for them to want to learn more about Black history.”
What was your favorite part of the writing or publishing process?
“Aside from crafting this story with my mom, I most enjoyed revising the illustrations that the illustrator created. We aimed to make the characters look like my family members and it was cool to me to see them brought to life as illustrations.”
How did being an FSO learner shape or support this project?
“Honestly, I had forgotten about this story and found it while looking for evidence for an unrelated mastery practical. I re-read the story and realized it was worth publishing! Then, I realized it would be a perfect business opportunity. Being an FSO learner helped me spread the word about this book more than I ever would have! The Entrepreneurship practical helps me understand the importance of creating a product with a business plan, marketing strategy, branding, and using my social capital to support passive income opportunities. I had published one book before starting at FSO and I didn’t even think of that book as a business opportunity in and of itself.”
Is there anything else you’d want our community to know about the book?
‘‘I just hope learners at FSO enjoy this book and find it inspiring & fun!”
We are so proud of Amara for revisiting her work with fresh eyes, turning it into something real, and showing what can happen when creativity, purpose, and entrepreneurship come together.