Missy Hopper, a Mississippi State assistant professor in education, will sign copies of her newly-released children's books Wednesday [Sept. 1] at 5:30 p.m. in Mitchell Memorial Library's John Grisham Room. The event is open to the public, and a reception immediately follows.
"The Adventures of John Hart and Theodore Roosevelt Hollumway Jones Chasing Bandits" and "Peggy Sue and the Pepper Patch" were penned after hearing tales of her parents' escapades while growing up in the rural South.
"The Adventures of John Hart and Theodore Roosevelt Hollumway Jones" is a tale of two young boys' mischievousness amongst the cotton fields and during the long summer days in the Deep South. The book is illustrated by Starkville resident Nel Slaughter.
"Peggy Sue and the Pepper Patch" is illustrated by Starkville resident CeCelia Bowden and depicts the adventures of Hopper's mother, Peggy Sue, helping Mr. Henry pick peppers from the garden. A song and dance is included in the 32-page book.
Hopper, a native of the Mississippi Delta, holds a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State, master's and educational specialist degrees from the University of Memphis, and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee.
At Mississippi State, she is responsible for the Secondary English Education program. Her research interests include content area reading, technology use in secondary English classrooms, and online instruction.
Franklin, Tenn.-based Providence House published the books, which are geared for elementary students and are non-fiction.
For more information, telephone Pattye Archer at 662-325-6636.