Former Newtown resident Gael Lynch has traveled many paths to her recent publication of Ivy Leigh Ever After, a middle grade novel with multigenerational leanings.

Raised by a single Irish immigrant dad whose bedtime stories were “slight fabrications,” Lynch’s first understanding of fiction came in the form of fairy tales and Irish legends, a thread that followed her through her childhood years.

In high school and college, her English teachers, especially one college professor, tried to lure her away from her one true ambition of becoming a teacher, steering her instead toward writing. Teaching — coaching and guiding kids — had always been her first passion, however.

Lynch spent most of her years as an educator in Newtown. She began in a small program for special needs children, then went on to kindergarten and second grade at Sandy Hook School. It was there that a former professor caught up with her and queried her about her writing.

Lynch was not only actively writing, she was also telling stories to her small charges in second grade. There were always stories. Her professor pointed her in the direction of a writing workshop for seasoned writers headed up by the Newberry Award-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff.

“I trembled at the thought of someone so talented appraising my work. But Pat exuded kindness and in her gentle way encouraged me and guided me in the craft,” Lynch shared in her media biography.

Giff encouraged Lynch to rise early and write. She did so for years in her very own writing cottage.

Eventually, Lynch moved up to Reed Intermediate School, where she immersed herself in the same fifth and sixth grade-aged voices she hoped to write for. Lynch then opened her heart to a new crowd, a new experience, and an opportunity to grow a deep understanding of their wants and needs as readers.

The authors that lived in the pages of the books they loved also became Lynch’s mentors. Gifted story tellers like Giff, of course, but also Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, Sharon Creech, and Barbara O’Connor all became part of her trusted circle.

“I study their words, their metaphors and similes, their varied plotlines, but most of all their ability to captivate my classroom kids!” Lynch said.

Published in January, Ivy Leigh Ever After is the story of an 11, almost 12-year-old girl whose mom has died and whose life is a swirl of change with boy crushes, bullies, and besties who pressure her to grow up. The 236-page paperback is suitable for ages 8-12, although readers of all ages have praised the book, calling it “sweet and funny, warm and heartrendering … both lighthearted and gripping” (Jame Richards) and its protagonist “a character you care about from the start” (Mary Aalgaard). Kirkus Reviews called Ivy Leigh Ever After “Chaotic but cathartic, sensitively capturing the uncertainty, unheavals, and life dramas of a sixth-grade girl.”

In Lynch's novel, Ivy makes a terrible choice and fights back. In the end, a wide cast of senior citizen neighbors — Mr Winters, who is like a character from a spaghetti western; Miss Aurelia, an old hippie whose sight is leaving her but whose insights are keen; Miss Neola, her mom’s best friend who bakes the best peanut butter cookies; and Ivy’s miserable grandmother, who’d threatened to take her dog away, but, much like Ivy, just needs a second chance in life — all tempt her back to right thinking.

Ivy Leigh Ever After is a coming-of-age story of second chances, of growing compassion for oneself and for others. It’s a story that sprung from one question: “What if all kids, no matter what their circumstances, could feel loved? And what if our world could come together for our kids?”

It’s a question Lynch still asks herself today.

Heading To Newtown

Readers can learn more when Gael Lynch returns to Newtown later this month. Still a schoolteacher at heart, Lynch has “a lot planned for my visits, as usual the teacher in me [is] packing in every idea I can,” she recently shared via e-mail with The Newtown Bee.

She will return to Reed Intermediate School to visit with two fifth grade groups, and spend three days with fourth grade classes at Hawley Elementary School, later this month.

She also has a pair of public events scheduled.

Lynch will be at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, on Saturday, April 25, from 1-3 pm. All are welcome to visit that afternoon, when she will sign copies of Ivy Leigh Ever After.

She will also be the special guest at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, on Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 pm, to lead "So You Want to Write a Children's Book."

Lynch said the idea for the one-hour workshop came from CHB Children’s Librarian Alana Bennison, who has, like Lynch, heard from many people who want to write a children’s book.

On April 29, Lynch will talk about the ups and downs of publishing today. She will visit the process of writing a picture book, a middle grade novel, and a young adult book. She will also discuss critique groups and organizations that will help participants get started in writing.

She will additionally discuss traditional publishing; how revision and editing are paramount in querying agents and the websites that will be helpful in doing so; and indie publishing and how the gates have opened for authors who want to see their work out in the world sooner rather than later.

After that, Lynch will save a few minutes to help participants walk away with an idea to get them started. Along with the presentation, she will share a few mentor texts and how she has used them to study craft and grow an understanding about how the work gets done.

Registration is required for the library program; visit chboothlibrary.org.

Additional information is also available by contacting the library at 203-426-4533.