From the Monroe News, June 6, 2017. Written by Danielle Portteus, Photo by Tom Hawley

Original article: http://www.monroenews.com/news/20170606/monroe-first-graders-author-book-raise-400-for-ann-arbor-hospital

Three first-graders used their love of writing to help children in need. Braden Dean, Graden Dushane and Colton Alston, all 7, wrote the book “Triple Super Ninjas” to raise money for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor. The Waterloo Elementary School students raised more than $400 for children in the cancer ward.

“We picked Mott because there are a lot of kids with cancer there,” Graden said.

The boys were selected by student teacher Veronica Jennings to create the book, but the group of best friends chose their characters and the plot of the story.

Fascinated by ninjas and inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the book is about three friends who fall asleep and begin dreaming. In the dream, they become ninjas who help a little girl at school who is being bullied by two other students. The girl is being picked on because she is bald and has cancer.

The ninjas named Raph, Leo and KC, come to the girl’s rescue and use their respective superpowers to help her. The boys are pictured in the book as themselves and as the ninja characters. Raph, who is really Braden, has telekinesis, which the boy loves.

“I can move things with my mind,” Braden said of his character.

Graden, who is Leo, is indestructible.

Colton, or KC, has hyper speed for a superpower.

The book has a twist at the end where the boys learn they may or may not have dreamed the scenario.

Graden’s sister, Bristol, 4, is featured in the book as the little girl. Braden’s older brother, Brock, is in the book as one of the bullies.

“The moral of the story is to be nice and not bully people,” Braden said.

The friends all said they love to write and have come up with a sequel to their first book.

“I like it because writing takes my mind off stuff and I just really like to do it,” Colton said.

“I love to write because it’s fun,” Braden added.

The books sold for $5 around the school. The boys said they became “famous” for their writing but really just wanted to help others.

“We can make a difference and stop bullying and help kids who are sick,” Colton said.