Best-selling author and Jackson native Angie Thomas visited Bailey APAC Middle School on October 23 to promote literacy and inspire scholars to read and write. As part of the Mississippi Book Festival’s outreach program, Thomas led a mini writing workshop and participated in a special book giveaway, taking time to personally sign copies for scholars and staff.

Thomas’s latest novel, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi, even gives a special nod to Bailey APAC—mentioning a scholar from the school in its pages.

A proud product of Jackson Public Schools, Thomas grew up in the Georgetown community and attended Johnson Elementary and Brinkley Middle School. Her return to JPS is a full-circle moment that reflects her deep commitment to giving back and inspiring the next generation of readers and writers.

Thomas is best known for her acclaimed debut novel, The Hate U Give, which became a New York Times best seller and was later adapted into a major motion picture.

Jackson Public Schools is deeply grateful to Angie Thomas for sharing her time, talent, and passion for storytelling with our scholars. Her visit was both motivational and memorable, reminding us all of the power of words to shape lives and communities.