African American author Sherrika Myers uses her past to inspire her books. She grew up stuttering and was constantly ridiculed by her peers, but now she works diligently with children who stutter, are bullied, have low self-esteem, and lack self-confidence. In her third book, Herbie’s New Friend, Herbie, the main character learns what true friendship looks like when Reggie, a new kid at school, stands up for Herbie after bullies ridicule him for his stutter.
Not only does Reggie stand up for him, but he also instills wisdom beyond his years—that everyone is created differently with talents that make you special in your own way. Equating Herbie’s stuttering with his own poor eyesight, Reggie convinces Herbie of the truth: that nothing is wrong with them, and they are perfectly unique as they are.
