Military installations worldwide are bustling with activity as they celebrate the exceptional children and teenagers who accompany their parents from one duty station to another. This year, a momentous occasion unfolded at Yokosuka’s MWR Library, highlighting the talent of a teen author who was celebrated as the guest of honor. This inaugural teen author event in Yokosuka marks a remarkable milestone for the community.

Crowds gathered in the main area of the library to listen to the emerging author as they spoke about everything from their creative journey, life as a military child, and their path to becoming an author. At first glance, 15-year-old Emma G. Stiller may seem like any other nervous teen standing in front of a crowd of kids at Yokosuka’s MWR library. However, Emma is far from ordinary. Despite their youth, Emma has already made significant strides as a published author. Today, they stand as the keynote speaker at a special “meet the author” event.

The event commenced with a delightful exchange between Emma and the children, fostering a warm and engaging atmosphere. Following this, Emma treated the audience to a reading from their book of poems, captivating the audience with their literary prowess. To further inspire the young attendees, an interactive activity ensued, where the children crafted their own writing journals, symbolizing the beginning of their personal journeys toward becoming future authors.

AFN (Armed Forces Network) attended the event, and their video footage will soon be available for viewing on the AFN network. Junior journalists Jacob and Emme Rae, diligently documented the event through photography and conducted interviews. Together, their efforts captured the significance and excitement of the occasion, along with the inspiration it ignited among attendees.

One young patron stated that, “Having these events is good because the readers can meet the author in person and see the face behind the book.” Theta, age 16, said “I really love that they could come out here and speak about their book.” Another attendee commented, “These events are special because kids can learn about who wrote the book and why.” All participants enthusiastically voiced their desire for more teen-centric events and responded favorably to the book signing.

The Yokosuka MWR Library stands as a beacon of thought leadership and unwavering support for military youth and literacy initiatives. This landmark event is a momentous milestone for the military community and marks just the beginning of many more to come, providing a platform for future young authors to shine.

Interview quotes credit: Emme Rae Bingaman