Back to the Oklahoma Sooners Newsfeed

Why elementary-school homework spurred a children's book about Sterling Shepard

After their dad died, Ashleigh Shepard started helping her younger brother with his homework.

For the most part, she didn't mind doing it. She liked being able to do something to help her mom, who suddenly found herself as a single parent with three kids under 10, and since Ashleigh was a nurturer by nature, she enjoyed doting on her brother.

Until it was time for reading.

Sterling Shepard loved all kinds of sports, especially football, and when he had a book about those things, he became immersed. Most of the time, though, reading was a struggle.