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D.A. Lee signs autographs for students.

  On Wednesday April 27, students at Leonor Hambly K-8 School in Winkelman got to meet with the author, D. A. Lee, of the Time Stands Still Chronicles, a series of science fiction books for children. The 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade classes got to meet with Mr. Lee.

  “Dennis” D.A. Lee is a former teacher having taught for 36 years. He taught 5^th and 7^th grade students in the Paradise Valley School District in Phoenix and in Michigan. He is a native of Millington, Michigan.

D.A. Lee speaks to the students.

  Mr. Lee’s knowledge of the way 5^th and 7^th grade students think was the reason he made the characters in his series 6^th graders about to go into the 7^th grade. The book series is about Johnny (J.J.) and Henri (short for Henrietta), two 6^th graders who both lost their fathers in a mysterious disappearance two years earlier. Only their grandmothers and Dr. Emory know where their fathers are. Dr. Emory is a 6^th grade teacher and mentor with extraordinary powers. J.J. and Henri receive gifts of a necklace and bracelet that gives them the power to control time. The stories follow them as they grow and learn from their successes and failures through many adventures not realizing that they are preparing for a battle that holds Earth’s fate in the balance as well as that of the planet Saros.

  You could tell that Mr. Lee was a good teacher as he engaged the students in the discussion of his books and how he wrote them. Most of the kids had read the first book of the series and were familiar with the book’s characters. They asked many questions about the books and characters as well as how Mr. Lee came to write them. Whenever D.A. asked a question many hands were raised by the students who wanted to answer.

6th Grade Class

  Mr. Lee told the students that he believes “everybody has a story to tell.” He said that you should “believe in yourself and not give up.”  The students learned that D.A. Lee gave the first names to some of the characters based on people he knew in high school. His hometown of Millington was also used as a blueprint for some of the places in the fictional town of Millville in the book. He gave some writing advice to the students such as how to write dialogue and how he created his characters.

5th Grade Class with D.A. Lee in back

  D.A. Lee is also a woodworker and donates wooden cars and trains to charities. He donated a set of the four The Time Stands Still Chronicles to the Leonor Hambly School Library. All the kids received a Chronicles bookmark and had the opportunity to purchase any of the books for half price. Many of the kids and teachers bought the books including the latest one (book 4) which was not scheduled to be released until the following day. Mr. Lee autographed each book with a personal dedication. The kids enjoyed talking with D.A. Lee and learning about writing. Mr. Lee was leaving for Michigan the following day where he would be talking with more kids at some schools there.

  D.A. Lee travels to schools to talk with students about writing and his books. He does not charge for his speaking engagements. If you want to learn more about his books or contact him, visit his website: www.timestandsstillchronicles.com or email: denretired@cox.net or call (602) 971-9556. 

John Hernandez (785 Posts)

John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.

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