ML Brookshire publishes new book on ‘immigrant middle schoolers’
Photo: ML Brookshire (R) in picture with the cover of her new book (L) / © Ml4lyfe
Multi-award-winning communications executive and branding strategist, ML Brookshire has announced the release of her new book, “Fitting in Yet Standing Out: An Immigrant Middle Schooler’s Optimal Playbook for Success,” a unique guide designed to empower immigrant children navigating the challenges of adapting to life in the United States.
Targeted at middle-grade readers aged 9–13, the book addresses the social, emotional, and cultural hurdles faced by young immigrants in middle school, offering both relatable stories and practical strategies to help them thrive.
Brookshire describes the book as a pioneering effort, calling it “the world’s first middle schooler’s book co-authored in real-time with AI.” Unlike traditional ghostwritten works, the book was created through live, documented prompt-and-response exchanges between Brookshire and artificial intelligence, blending human creativity with AI-driven brainstorming.
This innovative process is transparently showcased on every page, creating a narrative unlike anything currently available in children’s literature. The book tackles the unique struggles of immigrant middle schoolers, such as facing mockery over accents, ridicule for their cultural foods, or anxiety about family members’ immigration status.
Through a blend of story-driven chapters and actionable “Playbook Tips,” it provides tools to help young readers navigate bullying, identity shifts, and cultural clashes while fostering empathy among their peers.
“This playbook gives immigrant students tools to thrive while building empathy among classmates,” Brookshire said, emphasizing the message that “their culture is always their superpower.”
Each chapter introduces a different child from diverse backgrounds including Ghana, Mexico, Syria, India, Jamaica, facing real-world challenges like academic pressure, social isolation, or fears related to immigration enforcement.
By Chapter 6, the characters begin forming friendships, illustrating the power of solidarity and the journey from isolation to belonging. At the end of each chapter, readers find practical advice, affirmations, and reflection prompts written in a kid-friendly, encouraging tone, making the book both a heartfelt narrative and a practical handbook.
Brookshire shared her excitement with her community, stating, “Dear Facebook Community, I authored and published a new book and would love for you to boost my Amazon link for book sales with a review online. You always told me to write a book, so I listened, and I absorbed all of your encouragement! Thank you so much for believing in me before I could even dream this!”
She revealed that the book’s official cover features herself and her two children, Skye and Raine Brookshire, along with a dedication to her mother, Naana DesBordes-Hill, and her younger brother, Johnny Blayz, a published author who guided her through the publishing process.
The book’s launch, set for a virtual event with Lord Amoako a week before Thanksgiving, will be held on November 22, 2025, with invites for supporters to join online with “prayers and encouragement.”
Brookshire emphasized its relevance, noting, “Most of us have kids born in America that will go through this experience or have already endured this; as they experienced the imposter syndrome, anxiety, identity shifting, inferiority complex, ridicule, bullying etc.”
The book concludes with an inspiring epilogue, drawing from Brookshire’s favourite quote, which is Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena” speech urging readers to “dare mighty things.”
Aimed at middle-grade readers and focusing on multicultural experiences, school life, and social-emotional learning, “Fitting in Yet Standing Out: An Immigrant Middle Schooler’s Optimal Playbook for Success,” fills a critical gap in children’s literature by supporting immigrant kids and encouraging empathy among their peers.
Readers are invited to support the book by leaving reviews on Amazon at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Fitting-YET-Standing-Out-JohnnyBlayz-ebook/dp/B0FRC9MJ2V?ref_=ast_author_mpb
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He’s as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
