ARLINGTON, Va. - s4story -- When did you decide to write this book, which is historical fiction, but based on your life experiences?

Stuart H. Brody: I decided to write this book because I saw an opportunity to bring to life my own experience with a famous American politician. The book is based on occurrences in my life more than 50 years ago. I saw great value in looking back and seeing what moved me such a long time ago, and trying to deliver the meaning of this voyage to a new generation of readers.

But on a more simplistic level, it was just a story that I had to tell. Writers write the stories that they feel compelled to write. And in my case, I was uniquely situated to write this story about a young boy captivated by the promise of the nobility of political engagement. So, I did. The historical fiction part was done in order to elaborate some of the details; in other words, to increase the drama of historical occurrences. Although much in the book was actually experienced by me, much of it was dramatized, or if you will, fictionalized to make the story more compelling.

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Why is it so important for young learners to focus on American history, and the events and people who shaped our country?

Stuart H. Brody: It's very important for young learners to focus on American history for the very basic reason that they need to understand where they come from. I would think it's very unsatisfying to just think of yourself as plopping down in this country called the United States, like a Martian from outer space, with no sense of identity, no sense of mission, and no context for fulfilling your life in this very consuming identity called "being an American."

That may sound theoretical so let me put it this way, if you don't know where you've come from, it's very difficult to know where you're going. As Americans, we come from an exceptionally unique political heritage. I for one, and many of the people I know, are highly influenced in the way they look at their responsibilities in the world by being American. The characters in my book reflect that identity, and they try to fulfill the mission that is dictated by that knowledge. ...

To read the entire interview and get more information about the annual award visit https://gratefulamericanbookprize.org/.