Alamo Author Speaks At Bowler Literacy Night

Author, Mike Prince, of Alamo, Nevada, spoke at the Grant Bowler Elementary School Literacy Night held Tuesday, October 26. With a turnout of around 75 people, Prince told the audience what it took for him to write his recently published book: Toquop, The Warrior Stallion.

The book came about after a Creative Writing Class that Prince took for fun. He wrote a short story for a class assignment in the class. Some time later, he took another writing class and turned the short story into the novel that it is today.

“His details and descriptive language are amazing,” said Bowler Literacy Specialist, Sharon Haworth, who coordinated the Literacy Night. “It’s a fascinating, interesting book set in Nevada.”

Based on the Muddy River, about a young boy and a wild stallion, the book is a great read for locals who may recognize characters and places mentioned in the book.

The book received A Will Rogers Medallion Award in 2008. It was selected for Best Juvenile Young Adult Book of the year in its genre. Along with the story, illustrations were also considered for receiving the award.

Heidi Leavitt illustrated the book. She is the granddaughter of local residents Lee and Noreen Bishop and Paul and LouJean Lewis. She was raised in Moapa Valley, attended Bowler Elementary and graduated from Moapa Valley High School. She is the mother of seven children.

Leavitt spoke to the Literacy Night audience about her love of drawing. As a child she asked for reams of paper for gifts for her to draw on. She encouraged all young artists to practice and go for their dreams. “It has been a joy to work with Mr. Prince,” Heidi said. She and her family currently reside in Alamo.

In addition to stories, Prince writes Cowboy Poetry. He’s been writing and reciting it for 20 years. He calls the poetry readings “Cowboy stand up comedians”. Words like doggin’, critter, “why shucks” and heckled filled the air as he recited a few poems.

Prince teaches the 4th, 5th and 6th grades in Alamo. His family were ranchers on the Arizona Strip. He also grew up on many local ranches. His father trained race horses at the Warm Springs Ranch and some of his earliest memories are there. He remembers riding horseback with his mother into Moapa for Friday night dances as young as two and a half. He also ran barefoot around Overton.

Prince will be at Bowler Elementary on Friday, November 6 to teach the 5th grade students about writing. The book he geared toward youth is a read for all ages. Signed copies are still available at Bowler Elementary for $15 from Sharon Haworth.