Published: October 06, 2009 01:34 pm      

Avon youth publishes first book

AVON — While most children his age are out playing or watching television, a 13-year-old boy here is publishing the first book of an 11-book series.

Charleston Shi, an eighth grader at Avon Middle School South, began the project when he was just 11.

His first book, “The Quest of the Phoenix,” is now available.

“It is exciting (to see the book published),” Shi said. “It is something that I have not grasped until now.”

According to Shi, the book is about a 14-year-old orphan boy named Tom, who is a reincarnation of the Phoenix.

Shi’s journey began with some cultural tales.

“My dad told me some things about Chinese mythology and Chinese classics,” Shi said.

Now that he is able to see the book, and knows that others are able to enjoy it, Shi is happy with the finished project.

“I am very pleased with (the book),” he said. “It has transformed into a pretty good masterwork.”

The second book of the series, “Storm of the Kraken,” is due out in December. Three more books are expected to come out in 2010. Of these works, Shi has written six, but is still revising.

Shi’s sister Angelina, who just turned 10, provides some poetry at the beginning of each chapter in the first book. Her poetry will also be featured at the end of every chapter in the second book.

The teamwork on the project allows the brother and sister to form an even more special bond.

“When we (worked together), I felt like I know her even better than before,” he said. “I had not worked with her before and I think that we got to know each other even better.”

Though Shi has worked very hard on these books, he still has time to enjoy common activities for a young teen. He enjoys playing the piano, acting, playing sports — including badminton and ping pong, and reading.

Shi is planning a book signing at Westgate Chrysler on Oct. 17, which he describes as “exhilarating.”

“The Quest of the Phoenix” is available at barnesandnoble.com. The ISBN number is 978-160844-173-0. The book will also be available on Amazon.com Monday.

For more information on the books, send an email to questofphoenix@yahoo.com.



ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com