Author inspires students with ‘Ambitious Abbey’ series visit

Children’s author Abbey Duplaga returned to Buckeye West Elementary March 19 to share her latest work and speak with students about her theme of self-improvement.

Duplaga, of St. Clairsville, published the latest in her “Ambitious Abbey” series, “Ambitious Abbey’s Race Against Time,” this past year. The book, which is her seventh publication since 2018, follows young Abbey as she prepares to perform as the lead in a play. Duplaga read the story to students in grades prekindergarten through fifth, sharing how the character auditions but does not receive the main role and later gets a second chance when the part becomes available again. With three weeks to prepare, the character schedules time to learn her lines and get ready for opening night.

“I’m excited to be back,” Duplaga said, noting she last visited the school two years ago. “I wrote a series called ‘Ambitious Abbey,’ and the word ambitious means ‘determined to do something.’”

She said each book focuses on a specific character trait, including ambition, leadership, perseverance, organization, life balance and time management. Her other titles include “Ambitious Abbey Takes the Lead,” “Ambitious Abbey Tries Again,” “Ambitious Abbey Gets Organized,” and “Ambitious Abbey and the Balancing Act,” in addition to “Ambitious Abbey Bakes,” a cookbook that contains 15 recipes. Duplaga said her next book, “Ambitious Abbey Tells the Truth,” is expected to be available in the fall and will focus on honesty.

Duplaga asked students questions about the book and answered questions from the audience. She said the spine of each book represents a color of the rainbow and reflects the order of the stories, while the final books will be pink, white and gold. The last book in the series is expected to be published in 2029. She told students she includes family members and events from her childhood, a style known as realistic fiction.

“The stories I write are about something that happens and it includes a conflict and a resolution,” she said. “It’s easier to write about things you experience. That’s where these stories come from.”

A former accountant, Duplaga said she began writing and now spends two to four hours developing each story while working with illustrators over a five-month period to add artwork. She completes one story each year and visits schools to read them. She said she plans to develop a 10-episode animated show and a doll. Meanwhile, “Ambitious Abbey Gets Organized” has received an International Impact Award, which will be presented this summer.

Duplaga had copies of her books available for purchase and signed them for students. She said she enjoys sharing her stories and seeing others read them.

“I’m really excited. It’s really cool to have an idea in my head and write it, then see someone read it. It’s really rewarding.”