Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location at Mepham High School

It was no secret around here that Mepham High School had the honor of hosting author Jen Calonita on Tuesday, February 26th for a fabulous book discussion. Jen Calonita lives right in our neighborhood, yet she is no stranger to the Hollywood lifestyle. Our afternoon began as Calonita recounted how she started out in the magazine industry working at Teen People, TV Guide, Glamour and Marie Claire. She revealed her first assignment working the red carpet at MTV's Video Music Awards. She then explained her transformation from senior entertainment editor to novelist. Calonita also discussed her writing process (she even passed out one of her manuscripts!), working of her first novel, how she developed the characters, and her procedure for writing the sequel. Students had an opportunity to ask questions about her latest novel (the third installment in the Secrets series), Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs, which is due out this spring. She even signed copies of our books! It's no secret Jen - you are great!

Secrets of My Hollywood Life

Jen Calonita will be visiting Mepham High School on Tuesday, February 26th for a book discussion. The Mepham chapter of the National English Honor Society (NEHS) is hosting this event. All students are welcome to attend. Sign up with Ms. Stack in the school library.

About the Author: It's no secret how Jen Calonita knows the inside scoop on young Hollywood. Over the past eight years, as a senior entertainment editor at Teen People, and an entertainment journalist for Entertainment Weekly, Glamour and Marie Claire, Calonita has interviewed celebrities from Lindsay Lohan to Ashton Kutcher. She lives in New York with her husband Mike, son Tyler and their Chihuahua, Captain Jack Sparrow.

About the Book: What if... Your picture was taped inside lockers across America, your closets were bursting with designer clothing, and the tabloids constantly asked whether you were losing your "good girl" status? It's a glamorous life, but Kaitlin Burke, co-star of one of the hottest shows on TV, is exhausted from the pressures of her fame. So she decides to spend a few months undercover as an ordinary high school student. But could it be that real-life high school is just as harsh as cutthroat Hollywood...?

The History of Black History

According to Infoplease.com, Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month." What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied - or even documented - when the tradition originated back in the 20s. "Although blacks have been in America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century that they gained a respectable presence in the history books."

It is Dr. Carter G. Woodson that is credited for the celebration of Black History Month. For more information on who he was and how he created this national celebration click here.

Image taken from TheWebGlossary.com