Recently, “Good Fortune” author Noni Carter visited five Fulton county schools to inspire students with her debut novel. Organized by Liberty Point Elementary School media specialist Deborah Simmons, Carter visited students at Liberty Point Elementary, Mt. Olive Elementary, Sandtown Middle, Langston-Hughes High School and Crossroads Second Chance South High School.

Carter is an 18 year-old Fayetteville teen, accomplished classical pianist, avid tennis player, and a first-year student at Harvard University. She began composing the historical slave narrative at age 12. Critics are suggesting Carter’s novel is poised to inspire 21st century youth to appreciate their history just as Alex Haley’s Roots inspired his generation.  At each school, Carter inspired students with her three E’s for success: Emancipation, Education and Earnestness.

At Liberty Point, Carter demonstrated her musical talent as a classical pianist at the school’s annual Spelling Bee contest. She performed “Troubled Water” by Margaret Allison Bonds, a 20th century African American composer, pianist and musical director. Students asked Ms. Carter thoughtful questions about the writing process, the publishing business, and how she overcame self-doubt.

During her visit to Mt. Olive Elementary, Carter spoke to 4th and 5th graders about pursuing their goal, having determination and fulfilling their dream, and at Crossroads Second Chance South, she spoke with the middle school and high school students separately. During her presentation of the three E’s, Carter explained why each was important to her. Then she challenged someone to recall them and provide an example, and one young man, who had been silent and non-participatory during the presentation, immediately raised his hand. He responded successfully and Carter rewarded him with a signed copy of her book.

At Langston Hughes High School, Carter inspired students and engaged them in a discussion of her book. “They were so excited to hear from an entrepreneur that was one of their peers,” said media specialist Rebina Wright-Johnson.

Finally, Carter carried her three E’s message to Sandtown Middle School students.  As she read the prologue from her 489-page novel, students listened intently. According to school media specialist, Stacy Johnson, the book is now on their school’s high list of must-reads.

“Good Fortune” came to these five schools and provided students with a youthful expression of success. Noni Carter’s Good Fortune has inspired them to release doubt, negative experiences, peer pressure, and invoked a new excitement in reading, writing, and fulfillment of dreams.