Assyrian School Twins Publish First Book

Twin students of St Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School, Marel and Marlena Oraha, have published their first book.

The book, titled My Best Friend’s Enemy is a Ghost, was originally drafted by the 11-year-old twins simply for amusement.

“I just wanted to write a book because we’re usually bored at home, and we don’t have Facebook like a lot of our friends, so we just started writing it and found that we enjoyed it,” said Marel.

After writing the draft, the twins approached their school teachers, Ivana Lukanovic and Amanda Feil, where they further edited the book and contacted a Queensland-based company known as BookPal for publication.

The book consists of 116 pages and is the first in a series of children’s horror novels written by the twins, who said they were inspired by their favourite authors, R.L Stine and Geronimo Stilton.

The Assyrian Schools organised a congratulatory ceremony for the twins, encouraging them to move forward with their achievements and use their gifts in further planned publications.

The Assyrian Schools, consisting of St Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School (SHAPS) and Mar Narsai Assyrian College (MNAC), tirelessly and continually support all students in their gifted areas, and hope all students will go far in their chosen fields.

His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon, expressed his astonishment at the twins’ accomplishment and set them as an example for future students. Great things can be done, His Beatitude said, when students act on their gifts and pursue their dreams.

His Beatitude also thanked Sargis Makko, Principal of SHAPS, as well as all teachers, staff and parents for their enthusiasm and support towards all the students and their talents.

For those that are interested in purchasing My Best Friend’s Enemy is a Ghost, by Marel and Marlena Oraha, please visit the SHAPS office during school hours, at 7-9 Greenfield Road, Greenfield Park, NSW, 2176.