Battle Ground sophomore publishes children’s book

BATTLE GROUND — Battle Ground High School sophomore Michlin Swanson can now call herself a published author. The 107-page children’s chapter book titled “The First Flying Car” made its debut this year, originally starting as a short story writing assignment while she was an eighth-grade student at Amboy Middle School. Swanson said that she had been thinking about ways cars could be made to fly, so she began writing a story about two people who built a flying car and went on adventures exploring the world. Swanson’s mother sent a copy to New Jersey-based Newman Springs Publishing. “I’m very grateful to the teachers who’ve supported me and helped instill in me a deep love of reading and writing,” Swanson said. “One of the main things I’ve learned through all of this is that a little progress each day adds up to big results. Even though things may get hard in some spots, I’d encourage others to work hard to achieve their goals and never give up. In the end, it will be worth it.” Print copies of the book are available for purchase from Barnes and Noble and Amazon, and an electronic version is also available as an Amazon Kindle book. Swanson will be selling copies in person at the Amboy/Yacolt PTO Country Fair Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Amboy Middle School, 22115 N.E. Chelatchie Road, Amboy.