Halesowen schoolboy has book published

Budding writer, Jamie Beckett, from Halesowen, wrote his story Jason vs The Creations during the Covid-19 lockdown as part of a homework assignment.

The youngster normally attends Manor Way Primary Academy, in Brier Mill Road, and was set the task by his teacher Miss Sekula.

His tale follows a boy who notices things from his garden keep going missing through a knot-hole in the fence, and upon further inspection he is sucked through the hole and transported to another world.

Jamie had a helping hand from his teacher and also professional illustrator Alexander Davenport, who lives in London, who has brought the story to life.

Mum Adele Beckett, 38, said: "He wrote the story as a piece of work for school, when I read it I thought this is really good.

"He struggles at school getting his ideas down and can take him quite a long time, the way he wrote this story was reading aloud and using the dictation function on his laptop.

"A friend put us in touch with Alexander Davenport who has illustrated everything remotely using Zoom chats.

"I am absolutely overjoyed. For him to overcome his struggles in school and write this story, I have no words to explain it it is just priceless and I am so proud."

Throughout lockdown, Jamie has been homeschooled but kept in touch with his teacher through Google Classrooms.

Adele added: "His teacher Miss Sekula has been setting him lots of English and maths work.

"I want to say a massive thank you to her and Alexander for all of their help and support.

"He has struggled at times during lockdown but he has focused on getting his book done."

Jamie's story is for sale online on Amazon.