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Community Corner

School Project Launches Book Series for Chesterfield Student

Shay Kelleher published her first book, an action-adventure tale for children in third to sixth grade.

Ren, Brook and Colleen are eighth-grade students at Arcadia Academy. Ren is an expert in the martial arts. Brook is an animal expert. Colleen, well, she’s a genius. They’re also rock musicians and undercover operatives.

If you’re interested in meeting these whiz kids, you’ll find them in the new book Rescue Rockers–Havoc in Hong Kong, written and illustrated by Shay Kelleher, a 16-year-old first-time author and Chesterfield resident.  

“I chose to write an action/adventure book with female heroes because I like the genre. And my girls are smart and brave. They’ve been part of my life since I was 11,” Shay said, who began the Rescue Rockers storyline as a writing assignment for school. 

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After writing the original story, Shay decided she wanted to develop the story idea as a script for an animated television series. She spent a number of years developing the characters and their adventures by producing storyboards on large index cards. When Shay was satisfied with the story, she looked to her parents for help getting the series produced.   

Her parents, Sheila and Christopher Kelleher, were strong supporters of Shay’s project. “We encouraged her, listened and read her story, helped when we could,” her mother said. “But Shay remained motivated and determined.”

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“When I was ready to move to the next step of production, I ran into problems with time and money. We discovered it costs a lot to produce animation, so I decided to turn the story into a book,” Shay said.  “I really believed in my dream.  I was motivated to keep trying because it’s what I wanted to do with my life.”

Her parents, who are both attorneys, helped Shay form Burning Shay Publications. They negotiated the publishing process, and Rescue Rockers became a reality in May. Havoc in Hong Kong was published by a subsidiary of Amazon. Shay owns all rights to the series. 

“I’d like to pursue a career in writing and animation,” Shay said. “I’ll keep producing books, and once the series is more popular, I won’t have to worry about money and support. Finally getting to see the story in book form is exciting. My hard work paid off.”    

Shay’s enthusiasm for animation and writing is evident in her advice to other teens with a dream. “If you are passionate about your work, never give up,” she said. “You may run into bumps, but keep working. Choose another path, and you’ll achieve amazing things.”

Shay is currently working on a second book in the saga of the Rescue Rockers. 

Shay is active in the community, too. As part of the Mural Leadership Team, she assisted in the design project and directed participants at Chesterfield Arts' “Make Your Mark” mural painting at the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee held in early June. Reading is a favorite pastime for Shay, and she volunteers with the St. Louis County Library's summer reading program. And, her love of skiing inspired her to get involved with the Gateway Disabled Ski Program. The organization provides trained instructors and adaptive equipment for those with disabilities who wish to learn to ski.

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