Young author Jesu Mills leafs through a copy of his first novel, 'Singers Undercover', with father Kernel and mom Veronica in the Millses' hometown of Morningside, St Elizabeth. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

The Best of St Bess

A 17-year-old Jamaican is now being counted among a host of active young novelists in the United States.

Singers Undercover, authored by Jamaican Jesu Mills, is on sale in stores across the United States and his second novel should hit bookshelves by next year.

"The sale is doing good and the book is in the stores all over the United States, so I am satisfied," Mills told The Gleaner. "The book is about five friends who wanted to be singers and cops, but they are worried that if they go out and fight crime, their enemies will let their fans know that they are cops."

The teenager has lived in the US for most of his life, but Jamaica remains the place he calls home.

His frequent visits to Morningside, north of Junction, St Elizabeth, ensure that he keeps his Jamaican connection and the children in the community all call him a friend.

Like the typical teen, Mills spends his time doing several activities, with athletics among his fun events.

"I do sports (long jump) and I do music, but my favourite thing is writing," Mills told The Gleaner.

Deep love for writing

He has always loved writing and, with the encouragement of his parents, who hail from Morningside, he is embarking on a career as an author.

"I love writing and I realise that I love to write, so if I have any spare time, I just write down anything in my journal," Mills told The Gleaner as he relaxed in his hometown recently.

He is a student at Teaneck High School in New Jersey, where his message to his classmates is the same one he gives to his friends in Jamaica.

"You can achieve your dreams. Just work hard at it and you can be whatever you want to be," Mills said.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com