On the morning of February 4, the 8th grade class at St. George School was joined by local author Shannon Parker thanks to the efforts of English teacher Christine Miller. Prior to Parker’s visit, Ms. Miller read the novel with 24 students in her 8th grade English classes. On the day of the event, Parker gifted each student with a signed copy of The Rattled Bones to take home.

Parker read an excerpt from The Rattled Bones and answered questions about writing inspiration, revision, publishing, and if the fictional characters in the book were based on real people.

"Students filled the visit with enthusiastic questions and high energy," said Parker, in a news release. "There was no shortage of questions for Parker from students and staff alike."

The Rattled Bones, released by Simon & Schuster, is a fictional work that includes a historical throughline about Maine’s Malaga Island and the tragic removal of its residents in 1912. Part ghost story, part mystery, part coming-of-age, the book allowed students to see their coastal way of life depicted through a female lobsterman protagonist.

“The class was so invested in Shannon’s story,” said Christine Miller, English teacher at Saint George School, in the release. “To listen to a group of students talking about the characters long after we’d finished reading made my heart swell!”

Feedback from the event was positive with students telling Miller, “I can't wait for my mom to read this book and talk about it with me” and “this is the only book I have ever liked, even a little bit.” The class agreed Parker’s writing about lobstering was “spot on.” And for the writers in the classroom, comments ranged from “now I know what I want to try when I write next time” to “I know it will be hard to publish my story, but now I know what I need to do!”

This is Parker’s third visit to the school in as many years.

“Meeting readers is the best part of my job,” said Parker, “and being in conversation with the future leaders I meet at St. George School reminds me how storytelling connects us as humans. Ms. Miller’s classroom fosters a unique sense of engagement among students. It’s a really special place to visit. I’m honored by their invitation and reception, and always leave the classroom inspired.”

The Rattled Bones by S.M. Parker is available wherever books are sold.