Longtime coach and former Penn State women’s lacrosse player Lauren Burke Meyer (’09 Ad/PR) wrote “Charlie STEPs UP to Lacrosse,” which comes complete with a lacrosse playbook of offensive and defensive lessons, as well as inspirational songs.
In addition, body positivity is a central theme of the children’s story. Title character Charlie dislikes ballet, especially as her mother insists she be more ladylike and stop playing sports with her brother and his friends. Then Charlie stumbles upon her first lacrosse practice with girls her age with varying heights and builds – all with something a bit unique and special to contribute to the team’s success.
A portion of the proceeds from sales of the book, with illustrations from Al Margolis, benefit STEP UP Lacrosse. The non-profit charitable organization is dedicated to providing disadvantaged and underprivileged youth the opportunity to learn the sport of lacrosse from the most experienced players in the world.
This is Meyer’s first children’s book. She has been published in Jack & Jill magazine, the Severna Park Voice, The Gunpowder Review, The Penn Stater and The Capital, where her weekly Green Hornets youth sports column appeared from 2011-2012. She lives in Annapolis with her husband Scott and their daughter Charlotte, aka “Charlie.”