EAST LONGMEADOW – “Layna soon discovered she was born with a special hand. Her parents called it her Lucky Fin,” second-grader Layna Calandruccio wrote in her book, titled “Lucky Fin.” The autobiographical book, which Layna wrote and illustrated, explores the ups and downs of being different from the perspective of the 7–year–old author.

Layna was born with an arm that ends just below the elbow, her mother Dunia Calandruccio explained to Reminder Publishing. Dunia said Layna began to notice her arm was different last year, in the first grade, because classmates sometimes stared and asked her questions.

“She has her days [when] she has frustration, but she thinks it's pretty cool to be different,” Dunia said.

Dunia explained, “Lucky Fin” developed out of a writing activity Layna was doing in school with a paraprofessional at Meadow Brook Elementary School, Maureen McPhail. McPhail helped Layna put her story into book form.

Originally, Layna was going to make a book out of paper, but McPhail, being a self–published author, had the idea to publish the book through the website blurb.com. Dunia said McPhail gave Layna a lot of encouragement.

“She’s an amazing soul who advocates beautifully for herself and wants to educate others,” McPhail said of Layna. The school hosted an assembly on inclusion and empathy on Jan. 3, during which Layna read her book.

“The school has been amazing,” Dunia said. “And parents at home are teaching their kids that it's okay to be different. [They are] coming to school and embracing [Layna].” 

On Jan. 15, Layna read her book to patrons at the East Longmeadow Public Library.

“It’s great for her standing up, reading her book,” Dunia said. “It gives her more confidence.”

“Lucky Fin” can be found at blurb.com/books/9745597-lucky-fin.