Stephen King’s support propelled teen to
continue mission
TAMMY SCOTT-WALLACE LEGISLATURE BUREAU
Brianna Jack and her sister Eliza Jack of Nackawic present books on behalf of Brianna’s Bookworms to Elementary Literacy Inc.’s
ELF program. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
NACKAWIC • A Nackawic teen whose love of reading inspired the generosity of the world’s horror master is
now sharing her passion for books with children in her new home province.
Stephen King’s support to the library story time Brianna Jack started when she was just seven years old
propelled her forward on her lifelong mission to promote reading.
Brianna, 13, moved to the rural community situated 65 kilometres from Fredericton just over a year ago
when her dad Paul became the mill manager there.
Despite her young age, she had built a legacy where she grew up in Maine when she started Maine Books
for Maine Kids when she was just nine years old. She carried on with her mission to put books in the hands
of young readers when she moved to New Brunswick with a second charity, Brianna’s Bookworms. She
serves as president and recently donated 100 books to the ELF literacy program that is held in schools
across the province.
“Reading is so important because it helps you learn and it takes you places that you wouldn’t normally go,”
the Nackawic Middle School student said. “When I read a book I feel like I’m on an adventure.”
Brianna was just seven when she started offering a story time at the Bailey-ville Public Library in Maine
where she lived. Author Stephen King makes his home an hour and forty five minutes away in Bangor and
was inspired by her youthful effort when he heard about it. According to Brianna’s mother, Billie Jo Jack, he
supported her cause by providing $5,000 to her story time so children could attend for free to enjoy the
reading, crafts and snacks she offered.
Steps were taken to interview King for this story but other than a brief response from his Facebook page
offering direction to an online request form for King’s consideration, there was no further word on the
request. The famous author’s disinterest in the limelight is not uncommon.
Like the interest shown when he surprised students of Sussex Regional High School with a visit in the fall of
2012, King, in the most subtle ways, has promoted literacy for young people.
The horror master is iconic, no doubt about it, but his reputation goes deeper than that in the province,
particularly in Sussex where his visit is still talked about.
A year-long Seeking Stephen King campaign at the school had one goal – get Stephen King to the small
town by Halloween of that year.
On Oct. 23, he pulled into town, and because he stopped for fuel at a local gas station, rumours flew though
the dairy-town. He was on his way to the local high school because the students had been relentless in
sending him 1,100 letters and a dozen videos.
After meeting with students, offering writing advice and speaking about his own journey as a high school
teacher and later a writer, he left committing to further review and critique work sent to him. And he stayed
true to his commitment over several months.
Meanwhile, Brianna and her 10-year-old sister Eliza, who serves as vice-president of both Maine Kids and
Brianna’s Bookworms, has collected 100 books for the Elementary Literacy Friends program, led by the
non-profit Elementary Literacy Inc. organization.
The program matches volunteers with young readers in anglophone schools across the province for
one-on-one reading time.
Brianna was particularly drawn to ELF because of its commitment to teaching children to read. And now
some of the workers at the mill where her father works will be trained as ELF volunteers for the Nackawic
elementary school.
Laura Morrell, ELF program officer, said Brianna’s books will go home with children to allow them to build
their own library.
Both girls have been involved in pageants and got involved in promoting reading as part of their community
service work. They have both held state titles, and have received awards for their commitment to the
promotion of literature.
To date, says their mother, between the two organizations, they have collected and donated over 6,000
boxes of new and gently used books between Maine and New Brunswick. Besides ELF, in the past couple
weeks they have given about 600 books to the Nackawic library and elementary school, and provided books
to the hospital for New Years baby baskets.
ELF training sessions will take place in Riverview and Fredericton on Jan. 5, and in Saint John on Jan. 10,
for anyone who would like to give their time to reading with children during their school day. People can call
1-855-893-2533 for more information.