Local Author Publishes Children’s Book About Lacrosse

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“Charlie STEPs UP to Lacrosse,” a children’s book six years in the making, was published this September.

Written by Lauren Burke Meyer and illustrated by Al Margolis, the story follows a young girl named Charlie as she begins her journey with lacrosse.

The reader can learn along with Charlie, as the book contains inspirational songs and lessons on how to play lacrosse. The book also focuses on body positivity, teaching kids that size does not matter.

“Lacrosse does not have a cookie-cutter body type,” Meyer said.

The inspirational songs taught in the book come from the organization STEP UP Lacrosse, a charity for which Meyer volunteers. The organization was founded in 2010 by Becky Clipp Cassilly and Jenny Vela. Their mission is to help underprivileged youth to learn lacrosse from the most elite players, including Division I athletes and college coaches. STEP UP Lacrosse also provides free clinics and holds camps for children. Meyer plans to donate a portion of her proceeds to the charity.

Meyer has been playing lacrosse since she was 10 years old and went on to become a Division l player in college at Pennsylvania State University. Now she coaches lacrosse and helps children to learn the game. Her years of lacrosse inspired her to write Charlie STEPs UP to Lacrosse.”

“I wanted to do something for the lacrosse community to enjoy,” Meyer said.

She wanted to be an author since she was 8, and writing this children’s book allowed her the opportunity to fulfill one of her lifelong dreams. It also allowed her to give something back to the community that had done so much for her.

Meyer started working on her book in 2013. Challenges ensued. “I felt like I was pushing this rock up this hill”, Meyer said.

While writing was easy, the publication process was tricky. Local businesses, including The Cottage, came together to help her fundraise. Though she was able to raise the money, Meyer was faced with another obstacle when the printer she was going to use went out of business, forcing her to find an alternative.

Throughout the process of creating the book, Meyer’s own life has changed significantly. She is now the mother of a 16-month-old girl, named Charlotte, who she calls Charlie.

“I feel like I was meant to publish this at this time,” Meyer said.

With such big events happening while she was creating this book, Meyer finds it hard to believe that she is finally published. That does not mean she is finished writing. Meyer writes a column called “Lauren’s Law” for the Severna Park Voice.

“Charlie STEPs UP to Lacrosse” can be purchased on Amazon and will be coming soon to The Cottage in Severna Park. The book will also be sold at upcoming STEP UP Lacrosse events.

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