NORTHFIELD, Ill., Sept. 8, 2026 — What do alligators, Legos, and a room full of attentive middle schoolers have in common? They were all part of an unforgettable campus visit today from Tim Shoemaker, author of the Code of Silence and High Water book series.
The special event was entirely grassroots, beginning with a few CHA students who read and wrote reports on his books last spring. Later, at a Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO) event, CHA faculty member Dr. Fiona Murphy had a conversation with a parent about the author being local, and she knew there was an incredible opportunity to bring a talented Christian writer to engage with our students.
The timing was perfect. This year marked CHA’s first-ever common summer reading assignment for the entire Middle School. Because sixth, seventh, and eighth graders all read one of Shoemaker's books over the break, mentors and teachers across every grade level now share a new tool for discussing themes of faith, courage, and character. "His stories provide incredible segues to the kinds of conversations we want to have in our English classes and mentoring groups,” said Dr. Murphy.
Shoemaker’s fiction is exciting and engaging, much like his presentation on his journey to become a writer—which was actually his second career. Pulling out a box of Legos, he offered a powerful object lesson to CHA students. Life, he explained, is like a Lego set that doesn’t come fully assembled. Every experience is a new, separate piece. He encouraged students to "collect" as many pieces as possible by stepping out of their comfort zones, trying new things, and navigating hard experiences, as you never know what you will be able to build in the future with all of the parts.
And those challenges? They can sometimes feel like the whole Lego structure just got smashed. However, what may feel like a disappointment, setback, or failure could be exactly the pieces God uses to help you rebuild.
To process those experiences, Shoemaker gave the students practical tips on journaling through their emotions and practicing writing now, even if they don't plan to become authors. Most importantly, he urged them to stay true to God, noting that without his own relationship with the Lord, he would have nothing meaningful to write about.
The visit concluded with many students enjoying one-on-one conversations with the author—leaving them with autographed books, fresh inspiration, and a few new "Lego pieces" to build their futures.
