“I loved reading this to my son, watching him get excited when it would reference something from my own childhood”-Parent
“For all you wonderful, imaginative thinkers and problem-solvers in the world, Joey Beef proves that you shouldn’t be afraid to create and dream”- Art Teacher
I have watched this book come to life from behind the scenes for 3 years. I saw and listened to Noah and Marvin go back and forth with different ideas on where to take the next chapter to reading how characters Nate and Diggy came to life. The boys in the book aren’t too different from the men who created them either. Two goofy boys, one white and the other African American, good friends, who are about to go on an adventure of a lifetime….
I also have seen the disappointment they faced after things did not work out with a traditional publishing company about a year and a half ago. Still, they were determined to see this book come to life so that the students they see in their classrooms everyday can be encouraged to strive for greatness and push themselves to be better.
In fact, that is Noah’s teaching model. You will hear him say time and time again that his role as an educator is to “make better people”. As a PE teacher, and former collegiate athlete himself, he knows not every student is going to like learning about health and fitness. His goal for his students? To be a good teammate, a good friend, to lose with dignity, and find one thing they can enjoy to live healthy lives.
Marvins’ mission for students is to “know their value” even when they make a mistake. He say’s, “so much of their behavior is learned, they are constantly watching us…we have to remind them they matter and that takes us fostering a relationship with them.”
Here is what these guys had to say about why they wrote Joey Beef and how you can help encourage kids to read:
Why did you decide to write this book?
N– We felt like we had a bigger purpose outside of just teaching, that there was more we could do.
M- Teaching is a female dominated industry, there aren’t a lot of males even in our building so we knew that there was an opportunity to show the boys especially that they had someone to look up to.
Why did you choose this reading level and outreach to encourage boys specifically?
M- We had these young male students in our classes that reminded us of ourselves and we’d laugh. We wanted something to change the attitude of these young males through literature and plus they didn’t like to read. We were already doing an after school program once a week for 4th & 5th grade boys to teach them etiquette and chivalry. Noah would teach them about health and hygiene, mental health… and I would talk about manners, how to properly shake hands, you know opening doors, seeing something on the floor and picking it up, but the program failed and didn’t have much support.
N- We wanted them to know they had a bigger purpose and they needed guidance to get there. We could relate to these kids and wanted to create something they would actually like.
What do you want to tell parents about diversity or other themes in the book?
M- Kids make mistakes, but they intrinsically want to be better. We need to help them realize their value, their worth…kids soak in everything we do as adults, they watch. So build a relationship with them…so much of their behavior is learned. Race really isnt an issue for young students, for example you look at the lunchroom and everyone sits together. That stops as they get older and you start to see more of a division…clearly a learned behavior.
What was your favorite part of the writing process?
N- The freedom to create, just to run with it and see where it went.
M-Getting to know Diggy & Nate
What was your biggest challenge or something that surprised you about publishing Joey Beef?
N- It was lots and lots of work, so much more than just writing. There was editing, and getting illustrations, all the legal stuff, paperwork…
M- Since we co-wrote it, I forget who wrote what sometimes. It just flows so well!
Q&A ABOUT JOEY BEEF: TOP SECRET
Where can I buy the book? https://www.amazon.com/JOEY-BEEF-SECRET-BEEFY-PUBLISHING-ebook/dp/B07VMBS23L
*Please note that all purchases must be made via Amazon.com and not via the Amazon App. on your phone*
How much is the book? $2.99
What if I don’t have a Kindle? No worries! Joey Beef: Top Secret can be downloaded onto any device, such an an iPad or iPhone withe free Kindle App.
How long is it? 90 pages
Who should read this book? Everyone! We encourage anyone outside of a 4th grade reading level to read alongside with your parent, guardian or just a book buddy. 🙂
Becoming Wiza 