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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and T.J. Scripps. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light
Written by T.J. Scripps Cover Illustrated by Forrest Curtis Chapters Illustrated by Dane Doubell Ages: 8+ | 202 Pages Publisher: Skybok Press | ISBN: 979-8991217477 Publisher’s Book Summary: Ruby, a regular 10-year-old girl with fiery red hair and wild green eyes, has her life turned upside down when her grandmother gives her a magical dreamcatcher. One night, it transports her to the dazzling planet of Starland, where she discovers The Aura Embassy, a magnificent glass castle floating in space. There, she meets alien kids and Royal Light Beings, who welcome her as one of their own. Excited to unravel Starland’s mysteries and connect them to her own world, Ruby faces danger as sinister Dark Beings threaten to extinguish all light, both on Starland and Earth. With thrilling challenges ahead, Ruby must maintain her disguise, uncover secrets, and stop the dark forces before it’s lights out forever. Join Ruby on her daring quest to save the world’s light! Author Interview
T.J. Scripps is an author and storyteller passionate about inspiring the next generation through magic, adventure, and meaningful life lessons. With a background in Journalism and Film Production from the University of Cape Town and further training at the New York Film Academy, T.J. has spent the past decade developing content through her production company, Skybok, bringing stories of people, events, and businesses to life.
As a proud UCT graduate and South African at heart, T.J. promotes the spirit of promise and strength to those younger people who are facing worry and struggles. She undertakes to give light so they can believe in their own ability. Every young reader will enjoy interpreting natural symbols as they go about their life. The overall message of this book is to be excited about life and its beauty. For more information visit glow-in-the-dark.com. 
Where did you get the inspiration?
The inspiration for Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light came during the quiet days of COVID, when I found myself walking along the Ann and Roy Hike and Bike Trail in Austin. Nature seemed to speak a little louder then—birds perched just so, flowers blooming in unexpected places, ripples on the lake catching the light just right. These small, beautiful signs stood out to me, almost like nature itself was trying to communicate. It was in those moments, surrounded by the magic of simple things, that the idea for Ruby’s story and the signs from the universe began to grow. What was your writing process like for this book? My writing process is rooted in the places I have journeyed through, which have always been wild and magnificent—the oceanside of South Africa, the mountains of Lesotho, and the great Lake Malawi that borders Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique. The great outdoors has always been so impactful to me. This past Christmas along the River Danube, I seemed to reach a crescendo with the concept of Glow in the Dark. The winding paths of Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Nuremberg, with their castles capped in snow and steeped in old superstitions and folklore, inspired me in a profound way. These places seemed to whisper stories of signs and symbols, which became the essence of The Aura Embassy. I wanted to show that simple signs in nature—a bird's flight, a curious cloud—could be a way for us to feel connected, a reminder that something—or someone—was out there helping us mere humans do better. What's your favorite part about writing for kids? My favorite part about writing stories for kids is the look in their eyes when they believe in something. Children have such a natural wonder about the universe, and they believe in possibilities that adults sometimes forget. When I write for kids, I get to tap into that wonder—I get to create worlds where anything can happen, where a small sign in nature can mean something incredible is about to unfold. I also realize the far-reaching impact a concept or story can have on the next generation, and that's very important to me. I want to seed them with ideas that will help them handle trauma as they grow up, developing mental health strategies at a young age so they don't turn to darker coping mechanisms as they get older. It's about creating a sense of adventure and hope and knowing that this series will light up their way of looking at life and help them handle challenges in a positive way moving forward is very rewarding. What are you working on now? I am currently working on the next book in this series. It's called Glow in the Dark: Aura Girl - The Shadow War and the Fractured Signs. It's an exciting continuation of Ruby's journey, filled with new challenges, mysterious signs, and the ongoing battle against the darkness that threatens to dim the light. I can't wait to share more about it soon! What is your favorite book? My favorite book became that recently—The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill. It's such a beautifully written story, full of magic, wonder, and deep emotion. I love how it weaves together themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of hope in a way that feels both timeless and incredibly moving. The characters are richly developed, and the world Barnhill creates is one you can get lost in. Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed paperback of Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light! Imagine the thrill of being the one lucky winner who will receive a signed hard copy, a Montessori Toy Interactive Constellation card pack, a Scratch & Play Scripps National Spelling Bee activity book, and the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025 “Words of the Champions”!
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