Author Dana Storino and her new work. --Supplied photo
Local author creates buzz
By Joan Hadac
Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge
(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com
“Just because a bee flies differently doesn’t mean it can’t fly” is a saying easily applied to children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and it echoes nicely through a new book from a Garfield Ridge author.
“The Golden Bee” is a newly released work of fiction from Dana Storino, a paraprofessional educator working at Nathan Hale School with students who are neurodiverse, an umbrella term that to some degree has replaced “developmentally disabled” and “special needs.” In lay terms, it generally refers to the fact that different brains are wired a bit differently and therefore learn in somewhat different—but not necessarily better or worse ways.
The term is used to promote a wider and more inclusive definition of what is considered normal.
That matters to people—especially children—who are neurodiverse, Storino said.
The main character in “The Golden Bee” is 12-year-old Stephanie Fiorelli. According to a blurb from the publisher young Stephanie “tries to be a good student, but she can be inattentive, unorganized and has a hard time controlling her emotions. When Stephanie is diagnosed with ADHD, it may explain her behavior…but it is not an excuse. The Golden Bee, an annual STEAM competition for sixth-graders, is the perfect chance for Stephanie to prove to her classmates—and herself—that her ADHD does not define her. With her best friends by her side and a new coping technique called the ‘brain train,’ Stephanie has a real shot at being chosen for the coveted Queen Bee position. But over the course of the competition, Stephanie learns that winning isn’t just about the shiny trophy.”
Storino wrote the book mostly for children ages 8-12. Her storytelling technique blends text messages and emojis with a narrative specifically written for readers with short attention spans.
She speaks from experience. A 1992 graduate of St. Daniel the Prophet School who then went on to Nazareth Academy and Columbia College, Storino is herself neurodiverse. She was diagnosed as a teenager and knows what it is to struggle in a neurotypical world where a kid who’s a bit different can be made to feel like a square peg in a world of round holes.
Her leap from teacher to published author began in 2020, as the pandemic was shutting down so many things.
“I just said I have time, so I decided to do it,” she said.
Judging by some of the rave reviews it has gotten, though, “The Golden Bee” is finding fans of all ages.
“I loved the book and read it in two days,” wrote one woman. “The characters in the book resonates with a lot of real-life kids. Stephanie, the main character, definitely resonates with my 12-year-old daughter. Although my daughter doesn’t have ADHD, she does have anxiety, and some days she’s all over the place. She’s also very sensitive and can’t control her emotions, and that’s how Stephanie is. Having ADHD doesn’t define you. It only makes you stronger!”
Some are even comparing Storino to acclaimed authors like Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Ann M. Martin.
A consistent message of the book is that it’s OK to be different.
“The Golden Bee” is published by Gilded Press and is available via Amazon and other online book retailers.
Storino also writes the “Oh Look, a Squirrel” blog via WordPress. She lives in Garfield Ridge with her husband and three children, as well as a dog and a cat.
Mark your calendars
- A “Medicare 101” informational sessions is coming up at the Clearing Branch Library, 6423 W. 63rd Place. Experts from MA3 Healthcare Solutions will be on hand to answer your questions. Sessions are set for 10 a.m. Saturdays, Nov 12 and 26, as well as Dec. 10.
- Join the Clear-Ridge Historical Society for “How Chicago Shaped America’s Airline Industry” at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14 at the Clearing Library. Aviation expert and author Michael Haupt will explore the role Chicago played in the national aviation industry. Learn the critical role Chicago’s airport played as an aviation hub, even prior to World War I. Find out the Chicagoans who played key roles in aviation manufacturing, establishing safety regulations and creating the airline industry as we know it today.
- Finally at the Clearing Library, a taiko drum performance is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21. Tsukasa Taiko, a program of Asian Improv Arts Midwest, one of the largest community taiko groups organized by professionals in the Midwest, offers taiko drum instruction, education, and performances. This project is partially supported by a grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and presented as part of the Culture In My Neighborhood initiative. My thanks to Rob Bitunjac for sharing these three news items.
- Two Holy Martyrs Parish’s St. Vincent De Paul Society chapter will host a bundle weekend from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 and from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 6 in the St. Symphorosa Church parking lot, 62nd and Austin.
As always, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing will be accepted. New this year is that the group will also accept torn and worn clothing. As usual, linens, small household items, kitchen items, lamps and kitchen items are needed. Computers, keyboards and laptops, even if they are not in working order, can be donated. Albums, DVDs and CDs can also be handed over. Shoes, boots, slippers, purses, suitcases, books, backpacks and school supplies round out the list.
The society will not accept mattresses, pianos, organs, old tube television sets, sleeper sofas and baby furniture, including car seats and strollers.
For more information, call Two Holy Martyrs Parish at (773) 767-1523.
- Finally, I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Garfield Ridge Civic Association President Richard “Rick” Techman, who died last month at age 64. He was a man who truly cared about the neighborhood.
Until next week, please spread good cheer all around.
Local News
Red Stars Report: Red Stars upset but Mahomes was happy with KC win over Chicago
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Leading up to the Challenge Cup home opener against the Kansas City Current, the Chicago Red Stars were feeling pretty good. New coach Chris Petrucelli said every day was enjoyable. “They come out and have fun,” he said on March 24. “Everyone is smiling. I can’t think of…
Area Sports Roundup: Brother Rice riding in style; Evergreen Park’s Lily Strand fans 27
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer For some games, Brother Rice arrives in style. On March 22, the Crusaders opened a few eyes when they arrived in Orland Park on a charter bus for a non-conference game against Sandburg. “We’ve had problems with the timing of getting a bus and sometimes 3:45 is the…
Boys Volleyball: Marist beats Lincoln-Way East in battle of national powers
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer High rankings do not mean a whole lot to Kellen O’Keefe. The Marist senior hitter was well aware the RedHawks were recently ranked 14th in the nation in a USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association poll in mid-March. But minutes after the RedHawks won their own 24-team tournament with…
Harlem Avenue resurfacing from 62nd to 111th to resume April 4
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that a resurfacing of Harlem Avenue, from 62nd Street, in Chicago and Summit, to 111th Street, in Worth, passing through Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Burbank, Chicago Ridge and Palos Hills, will resume, weather permitting, Monday, April 4. The $5 million project, which consists of resurfacing the…
Tug of war over masks
Spread the loveCTU fights in court to stay covered By Tim Hadac Masks became optional last week at public schools across the city, but the Chicago Teachers Union still vowed a fight to keep everyone covered. In the wake of a decision against their position by a labor board, the CTU issued this statement: “By…
Aleah Radojevich headed north on a gymnastics scholarship
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. I’d like to share a lovely email with you I received from Garfield Ridge resident Danielle Radojevich, a 23-year employee of the Chicago Park District, sharing the accomplishments of her daughter, Aleah. Danielle told me that Aleah, whose…
Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars seek title after back-to-back runner-up finishes
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer It’s an obvious goal. Win it all. The Chicago Red Stars, who make their 2022 home debut in the Challenge Cup at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Kansas City at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, finished runner-up in each of the past two NWSL seasons in 2019 and 2021. There…
Neighbors
Capitol Briefs: Senate advances elections bill, measure targeting ‘predatory’ lending
By PETER HANCOCK & HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would put more controls on certain kinds of high-cost loans to small businesses cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday. Senate Bill 2234, known as the Small Business Financial Transparency Act, targets a relatively new kind of nontraditional lender in the credit…
Stateville may close as early as September under Pritzker’s prison plan
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Stateville Correctional Center could close as early as September under a plan laid out by Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration on Friday. Top officials with the Illinois Department of Corrections testified in front of a key panel of state lawmakers. The 12 members on the General Assembly’s…
Labor-backed bill banning ‘captive audience’ meetings awaits House action
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With two weeks left before the General Assembly’s spring session is set to adjourn, negotiations continue on a labor union-backed initiative that would allow Illinoisans to skip religious and political work meetings without reprimand. Dubbed the “Worker Freedom of Speech Act,” Senate Bill 3649 advanced out…
House gives OK to new state agency focused on early childhood programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House gave final passage Thursday to a bill establishing a new cabinet-level state agency whose mission will be to provide a kind of one-stop shop for services focusing on early childhood development and education. By the time it’s fully operational in 2026, the new…
ANALYSIS: ‘Significant enough’ opposition to Pritzker’s revenue plan leads to call for cuts
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com When Gov. JB Pritzker proposed his budget for the upcoming fiscal year in February, he sought authority from lawmakers to raise more than $1 billion in revenue through various changes to the state tax code. Among other things, he sought to raise $526 million through extending an expiring…
State officials offer last goodbye to former Thompson Center as renovations begin
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State officials kicked off the private renovation of the building which once served as the state government’s Chicago headquarters. The James R. Thompson Center, as it was known under state ownership, was sold in 2022 to a development firm that is renovating the building for its…
Public officials seek greater oversight of prescription drug middlemen
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois draju@capitolnewsillinois.com As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers – an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs – multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry. Often referred to as pharmaceutical “middlemen,” PBMs act as third-party intermediaries…
Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Advocates for community-based after-school programs say as many as 40,000 youths statewide could lose access to tutoring services, recreation and other extracurricular activities this summer unless Illinois lawmakers approve an infusion of funds to keep them going. “The time is now for legislators to act to…
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Rampant sexual abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades. The plaintiffs were boys between 12 and 17 years old when the alleged abuse occurred and…
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…