What began as a simple Halloween worksheet to keep a bored younger brother entertained has evolved into a published reality for fifth-grader Sienna J. Her debut puzzle book, “Crack the Code in Holiday Mode,” is now available on Amazon — an impressive achievement for the young author and illustrator.
The project started when Sienna noticed her 3-year-old brother, Samar, needed something engaging to do while at home. Seeking a way to encourage his reading and writing, she started crafting hand-drawn puzzles.
The transition from a personal gift to a published product happened almost by surprise. It wasn’t until Sienna was finishing the Christmas section that she realized the collection had grown into something larger. After showing the completed work to her mom, they decided to take the leap into self-publishing.
The book is full of satisfying challenges for preschoolers, including mazes, matching activities, and early code-breaking.
“My favorite part was making all the little doodles and drawings and adding color to the whole book,” Sienna says. That includes a little blue bird that appears throughout the pages; it’s a signature illustration she uses across much of her work.
Sienna recently presented her book to her fifth-grade pbHTA class, telling them about her project, her inspiration, and what she learned along the way. Publishing a book comes with its share of hurdles; among other things Sienna learned the logistics of printing and the work habits needed to see a project all the way to fruition.
“When I was stuck, I usually got up and worked on something else for a while,” she says. “It cleared up my brain, and then I’d get an idea. It felt absolutely outstanding to hold the real, completely done book in my hands.”
Sienna’s mom, Shilpa, says the most meaningful part of the journey wasn’t just the final product, but the grit required to see it through.
“Seeing her come up with a thoughtful idea, work on it all by herself, stay with it, and bring it to completion… we’re very proud of her.”
The book is a real-world example of the entrepreneurial mindset that pbHTA encourages. Her teacher, Mr. Pearce, says it also shows what’s possible with the digital tools students have available to them today.
And what advice does Sienna have for students hesitant to share their own projects?
“Give it a try!” she says. “It won’t hurt to put it out there. It doesn’t matter what people say… you got this!”
Sienna is already looking toward a second edition. Currently learning Hindi, she is considering a follow-up book featuring Indian holidays.
You can find “Crack the Code in Holiday Mode” by Sienna on Amazon.
