AVONDALE. — Darrell Keller Jr., a high school teacher at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, has recently achieved a major personal milestone: the publication of three original books representing three distinct genres.
Keller’s new works include a devotional for teens, a U.S. history book, and a children’s storybook, each inspired by his diverse experiences as a Navy veteran, educator, and lifelong learner. His titles are now available on Amazon:
— Shielded: 52 Devotionals for the Busy Teen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F34F4467
— A Bright Shining City Upon a Hill https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F311M2J1
— Tails, Scales, and Colorful Trails https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZNPKR6D
Though Keller has always been interested in writing, he said it wasn’t until recently that he had the time to dive fully into it.
“These three books reflect different aspects of my experiences and interests at different points in my life,” Keller said. “I love poetry, so writing Tails, Scales, and Colorful Trails was a lot of fun and gave me the experience I needed to enter the publishing market.”
His devotional, Shielded, was inspired by a former student, Elizabeth Qualls, whose leadership in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes left a lasting impression. “I wanted to write devotionals that would guide teens in the same way Elizabeth guided all of us,” Keller said.
The idea for A Bright Shining City Upon a Hill was born out of his friendship with fellow teacher Matt Daigle, who encouraged Keller to create a U.S. history book that would be both thorough enough for AP students and readable. “After nine months of intense writing, it was finally published last month,” Keller said.
While each book is vastly different in tone and topic, Keller said they’re united by a shared theme: a love for learning and a commitment to growth.
“Our mission is to help children become thoughtful, articulate citizens prepared for a lifetime of citizenship and active intellectual inquiry,” he said. “That goes for us as adults, too.”
Balancing writing with a full-time teaching schedule wasn’t easy. Keller spent many late nights in his home office polishing manuscripts, editing drafts, and fact-checking. He credits his wife, Lynn, with being his greatest support during this process.
“Lynn has been my biggest inspiration of all,” Keller said. “I owe her a lot of gratitude for her patience and understanding.”
Through these publications, Keller hopes to inspire readers of all ages. Shielded offers faith-based encouragement for teens navigating life’s challenges, Tails, Scales, and Colorful Trails shares a whimsical adventure through lyrical storytelling, and A Bright Shining City Upon a Hill delivers an accessible and engaging account of America’s story.
When asked if he had a favorite among the three, Keller said each holds a unique place in his heart.
“I hope you all thoroughly enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them,” he said. “I truly thank every one of you for supporting this new endeavor of mine and helping me get this off the ground.”