Many high school seniors are signing college acceptance letters this time of year, but one senior from Mercy High School plans to have a signing of a different sort. On Saturday, Milan Brown will be signing copies of her first book at Avenue Kitchen Restaurant & Bar in Hampden.
Brown’s book, “Stepping Into History, A VR Adventure,” is written for young readers, aged 8 to 12, and is an exploration of influential Black figures in history and their impact on their respective fields, and the world. The story is set in Baltimore and follows a fifth-grade class at the fictional Unity Academy on a field trip to a museum’s Black History Month exhibit. The museum’s historian allows each student to don a pair of VR goggles to help bring history to life for them.
The 41-page book celebrates the lives of 13 Black Americans, including well-known figures like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama, Madam C.J. Walker, and Arthur Ashe. Brown also, however, features people who may be new to readers, like Alvin Ailey, Jane Bolin, and Alice Coachman.
“A key component of this story is shining a light on those who may have been overlooked in Black History Month celebrations,” Brown said.
The book is published and illustrated by McBride Collection of Stories, a New York-based publisher.
“I am so proud of Milan’s work,” said Heddrick McBride, founder of McBride Collection of Stories. “It was wonderful to collaborate with this talented new voice on this project.”
McBride is also an author of children’s books featuring diverse characters and storylines. Brown and McBride are working on their next release, also a book for children, which will feature different types of activities to augment learning.
Brown is a member of the Catherine McAuley Honors Program and the Law and Social Action Program at Mercy High School. She will attend Wake Forest University next year where she will major in business and continue her basketball career.
“Stepping Into History, A VR Adventure” can be purchased at this link. The book signing will be on Saturday, Feb. 8, noon to 5 p.m. at Avenue Kitchen Restaurant & Bar, located at 911 W. 36th St., Baltimore, MD.
