Children’s book author Stacy McAnulty virtually joined the Gilman Middle School assembly on Monday September 27. Many students had already read her book “Millionaires for the Month.”

Before writing dozens of books, including her debut middle-grade novel “The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl,” McAnulty spent a decade as a mechanical engineer. In the assembly, she shared with Gilman students how she applies her foundation in math and science to her everyday life, and also how it surfaces in characters when she writes. Middle School students learned about McAnulty’s process and inspiration for writing, and also asked her questions, including about her experience publishing her first book and whether a sequel was in the works.

Middle School counselor Amy Summers shared her appreciation for the author’s authenticity: “Stacy McAnulty engaged the audience through stories, and expertly shared segments of her own personal journey.”

“Millionaires for the Month,” which was chosen by some Middle School advisories for summer reading in 2021, is the story of two 12-year-old boys who, on a field trip to New York City, find the wallet of a tech billionaire, and pinch $20 from it to buy hot dogs and ice cream before returning it. The boys deal with the repercussions of their actions, and learn an important lesson: that the most important things in life are not things at all.