A young student in the Upper Grand District School Board has published her second book.

Amaya James is a Grade 7 student in the UGDSB’s Elementary Remote Learning Program.

When Amaya was just 9 years old she published her first book, Afro, No! and had the opportunity to speak to over 15,000 students across 60+ schools and three school boards.

On May 20, 2026, Amaya released her second book, Emmie's Next Chapter, a 100-page graphic chapter book, with every word written and page illustrated by Amaya.

Emmie’s Next Chapter “speaks directly to any kid who has ever had to start over — whether that means a new school, a new city, a new group of friends, or simply learning to embrace something unfamiliar.”

Congratulations Amaya!