Valeska Hinton students and staff received a special treat this week in honor of Black History Month and Read Across America Week. Celebrated local author Billy Young spent time visiting with and sharing stories with all Valeska Hinton students and staff!
Young was born and raised in Peoria. She spent part of her life working as an account executive for United Way.
In 2008, she published her first book called The Somewhat Extraordinary CHILD.
This book is based on a letter Young wrote to her son. She transformed that handwritten letter into a children’s book that is now circulating the state of Illinois and beyond.
Currently, Ms. Young has published four books, including Hunter and the Bear & Tabor’s First Day of Caring. All of them have been used for used for United Way's Success by 6 and Page Turner programs. She continues to write and plans to publish another book soon!
We all loved her special visit!