Ilana Bonaparte
Age 9 — Coyote Catchers Part 1
Ilana loves adventure and the outdoors. A Missouri River Relief Student of the Year, she led this year's program with her debut book exploring the coyote world with great imagination.
2025 Program YearDreams Preferred
Dreams Preferred
2025 Recap
Five young authors. One school year. Original books published and confidence gained. A look back at the first year of Dreams Preferred.
5
Student authors published
1
School year
5/5
Felt confident in their work & writing
5/5
Want to continue writing another book
Program Recap
Year in Review
Every Voice Matters
The program began with a workshop focused on identity, memory, and imagination — helping students find the stories only they could tell.
Mentorship & Drafting
Each student received one-on-one coaching and group feedback to turn rough ideas into finished manuscripts.
Design & Printing
Students collaborated on custom covers and layouts, then saw their work move into professional printing.
Author Showcase
The year closed with a celebration where students shared their books and were recognized as published authors.
“On April 6th, I became the proud author of Therapy Sessions with Jesus. This book of poetry explores spiritual growth through honest conversations with God, wrestling with doubt, enduring challenges, and finding peace in surrender.”
— Nadia Burse
Meet the 2025 Authors
Each student completed an original book — from poetry and fantasy to animal facts and adventure. These are the voices Dreams Preferred was built to amplify.
Nadia Burse
Age 19 — Therapy Sessions with Jesus
From Utica, MS, Nadia loves her family, faith, and reading. Her debut poetry collection explores spiritual growth through honest conversations with God.
Christopher Ivery
Age 10 — Debut book
Christopher loves to draw and write about his family, sports, and teenage mutant ninja turtles.
Allegra Amidei
Age 8 — Debut book
Allegra struggles with dyslexia, but that does not stop her from creating art. She loves graphic novels, fantasy, and has a mean skill for drawing.
Robert Amidei
Age 6 — Debut book
Robert reads at a 6th-grade level even though he has ADHD. He loves drawing and writing animal facts, non-fiction, and scientific books.
Ready for 2026?
The next Dreams Preferred cycle begins soon. If you know a young author, educator, or school that should be part of the 2026 program, get in touch.