“Writing is magic
for those willing
to follow their imagination
to a region where anything is possible”
William Kotzwinkle
About Ann Marie Meyers
I was born in Trinidad and grew up surrounded by mango trees and palm trees, the smell of the ocean, the warmth of the sun and people. Yet always, in the background, there was a pulse in the air that tugged at my awareness, a whole other reality that thrived within Trinidad’s folklore, an energy embedded in words like douens, soucouyant and Papa Bois, to name but a few.
School Visits
Written for children 8 – 12, UP IN THE AIR empowers students to overcome obstacles and realize their dreams. The book is an allegory that all children can relate to, and it encourages them to face their fears and surmount daily challenges. I relate this work of fiction to life experiences in order to enhance the language-arts curriculum with a focus on building self-esteem and inspiring kids to see possibilities.
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Posts By topic
In the midst of the events leading up to the Black Power Movement in Trinidad in 1970, twelve-year old Alex Donaldson struggles to get comfortable in her own skin. She’d give anything to have a lighter, beautiful complexion like her mother and two siblings. One stormy night, she and Granddad discover that a Soucouyant is living down the road. Soucouyants suck people’s blood like vampires. With a kiss, they take control of a person.
It’s best to ignore them; chances are they’ll return the favor. Then her brother does the one thing she cannot resist. He dares her to get the Soucouyant skin.
Alex’s attempt to acquire the skin brings her to the attention of Mrs. Henry. To make things worse, Alex learns that Mrs. Henry used to be Granddad’s girlfriend. Mrs. Henry wastes no time in giving Granddad a peck on the cheek and worms her way back into his heart.
Though wary of Mrs. Henry, Alex finds her intriguing. Mrs. Henry is everything Alex dislikes about herself: dark complexioned, big breasted, plump. But that doesn’t bother her. She walks with pride and confidence. She is fun! She calls Alex beautiful. Alex starts to believe in herself. Is she wrong about Mrs. Henry?
Yet Mrs. Henry is hiding something. Many things she says don’t add up, and Granddad is acting like he is under some sort of spell. Alex has to uncover the truth about Mrs. Henry, or Granddad and her family might be the Soucouyant’s next victims.