Midanaotoday.com | The Girl with the Gift: Young Oro writer publishes fantasy-adventure book
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Ten-year-old writer Bettina Reika Namoco from this city released her debut book, The Girl with the Gift, in December 2022.
The book, which Namoco wrote in a span of three months, follows the fantastical adventure of a teenager with magical abilities who goes on a quest to rescue lost children from an evil antagonist.
In January 2023, local readers and well-known writers liked the book and gave it good reviews.
Inspiration amidst the pandemic
“I read a lot of adventure books during the pandemic,” Namoco said, sharing her inspiration. “I also watched shows like Stranger Things.”
Namoco spent most of her time as a student at the Catholic Filipino Academy Homeschool (CFAH) learning, putting what she learned to use, and making good use of her ideas.
She pitched the concept to CFAH’s extracurricular group, The Book Writers’ Club (BWC), in August 2022.
The group is composed of CFAH students who are passionate about reading. After receiving approval from the BWC editors, Namoco started writing the manuscript with the help of her mother.
They completed the final draft in November 2022 and submitted it to the editors.
“It is a story about family and friendship,” Namoco reflected, explaining how the book is relatable to children her age and how it can inspire them to appreciate the value found in family and friends.
Namoco’s gifts
“Bettina is enjoying every learning opportunity,” Rhoda Namoco, the author’s mother, said. “Being homeschooled, she mostly spends her time at home.”
“During her free time,” she added, “Bettina continues to learn to play the violin. She bakes new recipes she finds online, makes her own tea, and conducts science experiments.”
Namoco’s creativity goes beyond books. For kids her age, finishing a book is a big step and accomplishment, but she also likes to make other things.
According to her mother, Namoco is also fond of drawing and painting.
“If it makes you happy, then just do it!” Namoco said.
Commendations and future collaboration
Namoco is planning to collaborate with her best friend as the illustrator for the book’s potential sequel, which they estimate to be launched before the year ends.
As readers wait for the second book, the current literary work has received critical acclaim from renowned writers.
CFAH founder Bo Sanchez, who is also a best-selling author of Christian-themed books, encouraged Namoco in a blurb found on the book’s back cover: “Continue to write more awesome stories and use the talent that God has given you.”
Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro-based writer and Palanca Award recipient Ma. Elena Paula praised the juvenile writer for her style: “The merging of fantasy and reality, the use of words in a book within a book, is a stellar exercise of the imagination and writing skills of this young author.”
Namoco continues to improve her skills and learn new ones through her creative hobbies with the help of her parents and CFAH.
“Allow them to explore the world with guidance,” Namoco’s mother said in her advice to parents who are raising creative children.
Readers can purchase copies of The Girl with the Gift online. (PNA | PIA-10)
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