NEWARK, N.J. – What began as a classroom reading assignment turned into a powerful act of compassion and community service as eighth-grade students at Wilson Avenue School raised a total of $2,000 to support students at Barringer High School and Weequahic High School who are parents.

Each school will receive $1,000 to help stock its onsite student support closet with critical items such as disposable diapers and infant care products for young mothers and fathers caring for their babies while continuing their education. The students raised the money by running a lemonade stand that also sold baked goods.

The students’ initiative was inspired by their reading of “Make Lemonade,” which was assigned to them by their English Language Arts Teacher, Pamela Cassell. The coming-of-age novel explores teenage pregnancy, poverty, empathy, and resilience. LaVaughn, the main character, is a 14-year-old girl who dreams of going to college. She takes a job babysitting for a 17-year-old single mother of two children named Jolly. Together, they improve their lives despite their difficult circumstances. Deeply moved by the story’s message, the students decided to take action and create a real-world response to some of the challenges depicted in the book.

As a reward for their efforts, all of the school’s 114 eighth-graders participated in a live video conference on Tuesday with author Virginia Euwer Wolff, who answered students’ questions about writing, symbolism, and the deeper meaning behind her work.

During the discussion, Wolff explained that the novel’s poetic structure grew organically from her writing process and reflected the “breathing pauses” of real human thought. She also spoke candidly about why empathy sits at the heart of the novel.

“As authors for young readers, we have to focus on empathy,” Wolff told students. “Empathy is a really hard thing to learn. Kindness, especially when it’s difficult, is one of the most important lessons we can teach through story.”

Students asked about everything from symbolism, such as the lemon seeds representing growth and possibility, to whether the characters might ever appear in a movie. Wolff emphasized that the characters’ identities are intentionally universal.

“Whatever ethnicity the reader needs them to be, that’s who they are,” she said.

One student shared that the novel reinforced the importance of education, perseverance, and college ambitions, drawing a personal connection to the main character’s drive to succeed. Wolff responded by encouraging students to remain tenacious in their academic journeys.

The project culminated not only in philanthropic impact, but also in a profound literary experience that connected classroom learning with real-world service.

Assistant Superintendent Sandra Marques praised both the students’ scholarship and their generosity.

“You didn’t just read this book. You extended your learning beyond the classroom and into the community,” Marques told the students. “By connecting your studies to a service project, you took this experience to another level. You should be incredibly proud of the impact you’ve made.”

District leaders also commended the students for transforming literature into action.

“What these eighth-grade students from Wilson Avenue School have accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Superintendent León. “They read a powerful story, reflected on its themes of empathy and resilience, and then turned that inspiration into direct action that will support young mothers and fathers. This is what real-world learning looks like – when students use their voices, their hearts, and their education to uplift others.”

“These students have shown us the true meaning of leadership at such a young age,” said Hasani K. Council, President of the Newark Board of Education. “Their generosity will help provide essential care for parents who are students and their children, while their engagement with the author demonstrates the power of literacy to inspire service, awareness, and change. We are incredibly proud of them.”