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Young author presents book to TFS president

Tallulah Falls School President and Head of School Larry A. Peevy visits
with TFS sixth grader Emma Barrett. Barrett wrote a book with TFS
featured in the storyline. She presented the book to Peevy on August 15. 

An emerging author made a special presentation to Tallulah Falls School President Larry A. Peevy on August 15. 

Emma Barrett, a sixth grade student from Clarkesville, wrote a book earlier this year entitled “Cancer and Courage.” 

The 30-page book tells the story of one family’s journey from Florida to Georgia, Clarkesville, specifically. The family was searching for just the right school for their child, ultimately settling on Tallulah Falls School. After relocating, the mother receives bad news. 

“They are dealing with getting the child in a new school and also getting a job. On top of all that, the mom has cancer,” Barrett says. “After weeks of testing and going to the hospital...they told them that everything was good. The family felt like they could move on in life.” 

Barrett says she has written many stories but this was the first time she has attempted something as ambitious as a book. The self-published tome features Barrett’s artwork. 

Like many writers, she finds inspiration in real life. 

“Life is not always easy but if you fight through it, one day it will all turn into a happy life,” she says. “I just thought that it has not been an easy road for me so why not write about something like that.” 

She says the five-week writing process was “long and kind of stressful.” 

“But it was something that made me happy and that told me I could do it,” she says. “It was a dream come true; I had always wanted to make a book and be able to tell people I made a book...it takes a lot of time but all that time pays off.”

Peevy, a character in the book, says he was delighted to receive the unique gift and was impressed with the young author’s talent and work ethic. 

“It’s not every day a student writes a book,” he says. “It’s even more special that she featured our school in the storyline. I look for great things from this young lady as she continues her education at TFS.”