Anthem youth authors 1st book
Marc Buckhout ~ Managing Editor ~ 01/13/2010

Over the last year trips to the Starbucks became part of the routine for Anthem resident Doug Pillsbury and his daughter Karley Pillsbury.
While Doug, a father of four, said the trips were quality bonding opportunities with his oldest daughter the two did more than just catch up while enjoying a cup of joe, or in Karley’s case a cup of hot chocolate.
The time spent during regular brain storming sessions allowed Karley, 11, to complete her first book, “The Girl in the Mirror”, a 251- page story detailing a young girl that time travels to help a family of slaves escape the brutal treatment of a plantation owner.
Kendra Pillsbury, who home schools Karley, as well as the couple’s other two school-aged children, remembers suggesting Doug work on a project with the now sixth grader, but said she didn’t have any inclination as to what would come of the idea she made in November 2008.
“Karley is a gifted writer, but this came as a total surprise,” Kendra said. “I would get glimpses from time to time, but didn’t have a complete picture of what they were planning.”
Karley, a voracious reader, who said history is her favorite subject, initially suggested that she and her father work on a short-story together.
But it wasn’t long before the idea expanded.
“We would talk about ideas and when we were done I would write two or three chapters and then would give them to my dad to type them up,” Karley said.
Doug, said he was taken by his daughter’s drive.
“It was a pretty ambitious goal, but I was committed to helping her out,” he said. “She had the story line, wrote the whole plot and I just interjected ideas along the way. It wasn’t long before I saw it would be a significant project. I guess I was shocked that she would have so much to write.”
While the story is fictitious Karley took time to research plantation life to give the story realistic detail.
She also references friends and influential people in her life growing up in Anthem. Through the main character and the main character’s family Karley also proudly touts the values that define her life including her faith and the spirit of giving and helping others.
“I think the main theme of the book is generosity,” Doug said.
After three months spent writing the story and then approximately seven months editing and illustrating the book the family received 2,000 copies of the final product in December.
“It was exciting to see all the hard work had paid off,” Karley said.
In sticking to the spirit of the book’s message the family has partnered with a couple non-profits looking to donate part of the proceeds from the sale of the book to help worthy causes.
Along with the family’s church, Fellowship Church in Anthem, Sports Kidz, a program dedicated to providing quality coaching and instruction to children in various settings across Arizona is another group the Pillsburys are looking to assist. Through the community program the non-profit reaches out to homeless children and children in low-income neighborhoods, offering those children an opportunity to learn to play sports in a safe environment.
Having already sold more than 250 copies, Karley has spoken to a number of groups about her book and has future engagements at area schools and at her church scheduled.
Doug said the whole experience has been inspirational.
“When I talk to parents that are interested in what she did I encourage them to tap into what their kids are interested in,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s writing or playing a musical instrument, or math or science. If you find out what’s in their hearts, give them a little focus, a little structure and some support you’ll be amazed what they can accomplish. Karley is a smart kid, but she’s a normal kid too. The response we’ve gotten has been great. I think everybody has a book that they want to write so hopefully this can be an inspirational thing for people of all ages.”
Karley, a sixth grader, said she already has some ideas set aside for a second book, which she said will be set in Hawaii. She said the goal of completing a book doesn’t have to be daunting.
“If you put your mind to it you can accomplish a lot,” she said.
For information on the book, which is selling for $10, go to www.thegirlinthemirror.com.