Jake Marionette, a 15-year-old author, spoke to grades 3 through 8 at Boothbay Region Elementary School on Oct. 6 about his publishing experiences. He wrote his first book, which made the New York Times bestseller list, at the age of 12. It is called "Just Jake" and is on this year's Maine Student Book Award list. It's a semi-autobiographical story about him moving and being the new kid in a middle school, trying to fit in. It is also now a series, with "Just Jake: Dog Eat Dog" already out, and a third book, "Just Jake: Camp Wild Survival," due out in January.

Jake told students to turn off their TVs and video games and tackle something they want to achieve, urging them to "Do it now!" Kids said he was energetic, encouraging and inspirational.

The BRES book club, Bookers, made a welcome sign for him and posed with him just after his speech (see photo). He then met with classes in the library to answer questions and sign books. He has been on the "CBS Evening News," "The Chat," and "The Today Show."