PRESS RELEASES

Local Publisher Helps Build Better Citizens - One Book at a Time

February 14, 2012 - West Palm Beach, Fla. - Americans are woefully ignorant about their country - its history, its principles and how the government works - and one local book publisher is on a personal crusade to do something about that.

Brenda Star, president of West Palm Beach-based StarGroup International has used her own funds and resources to compile and publish CITIZENSHIP: What Every American Needs to Know (©2012 Star Books) to be released on February 20, President's Day.

The seed for StarGroup's latest book was planted when Star read an article in Newsweek in February 2011 reporting that 38 percent of 1,000 U.S. citizens to whom the magazine administered the U.S. Citizenship Test (which immigrants must pass to become citizens) failed.

"I was appalled to realize how little Americans know about our country and our history," she said. "I realized that this lack of knowledge affects our economy, our national security, our pride, our world leadership and our ability to make intelligent decisions as voters."

As she conducted further research she learned that 81 percent of college seniors are at a "D" or "F" level in U.S. history and that fewer than half of all American eighth graders knew the purpose of the Bill of Rights.

"I just couldn't sit by and do nothing when I discovered how ignorant we Americans had become about our history," said Star, who has been in the book publishing business since 1992.

She rolled up her sleeves, began delving more deeply into the subject and produced a book that is both informative and easy to read.

It includes simple lists such as American holidays and the names of Presidents and Vice-Presidents history.It also includes the U.S. Citizenship Test (and answers) so readers can determine if they could pass that exam, and features dozens of fascinating trivia questions, an explanation of how the U.S. Government works, along with numerous ways that citizens can become involved as volunteers and make a difference.

Citizenship has legions of high profile backers who have expressed enthusiasm for the book.

"This publication is a concise, entertaining, educational and enlightening work that will both inform and ignite the passion in every American." -Stephanie Haridopolos, First Lady of the Florida Senate, 2010-2012.

"After reading this book, I am confident that you will once again share in that same pride and appreciation for the greatness that is America and will be better able to play a role in keeping it that way." -Trey Grayson, Director, Institute of Politics, Harvard University.

The book is available for from the StarGroup website for $16.00, with a
25% discount on any order using Coupon Code C2011 at checkout until April 1.

StarGroup is also offering opportunities to sponsor the book, with the goal of making it as widely available as possible.

To purchase the book go to www.stargroupinternational.com and click on the bookstore link
or call (561)547-0667.

StarGroup International
1194 Old Dixie Highway - West Palm Beach, FL 33403 - Ph: (561) 547-0667
www.stargroupinternational.com
For more information contact: Brenda Star at Brenda@stargroupinternational.com

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Six-Year-Old Book Author Is a Whiz on U.S. Presidents

February 6, 2012 - West Palm Beach, Fla - How much do you know about American Presidents?
If you're six-year-old Rohith Karthik, the answer is "a lot."

In fact, this Wellington first grader knows so much about American Presidents that he's written and illustrated a just-released children's book about it called "Hey Kids, America Needs Us!" (©2012 Star Books).

Who was the country's fattest President?
Which President was the only one who never married?
Who put the first bathtub in the White House?
*(See answers below)

Rohith knows those answers - and much more.

"From the time I was very little I wanted to learn everything I could about America," said U.S.-born Rohith, the son of Karthik Panchatcharam and Hema Malini Panchaksharam, both immigrants from India.

Rohith learned to read when he was three years old. By age four he had developed a voracious interest in American history, particularly in American Presidents, and an astonishing ability to learn and recall everything he read.

Encouraged by his parents to pursue his young passion, Rohith set about to inspire fellow kindergarten classmates by writing a book for them. The book was intended to both inspire children to read and to teach them about their country. Not long afterwards his book came to the attention of Brenda Star, founder and president of Star Books, a publisher based in West Palm Beach.

"This child is simply astounding," said Star about her youngest author in the company's history. "Not only does he have more knowledge about American Presidents than most adults, but he also is extremely patriotic and very grateful to be living in America."

When Rohith's manuscript was submitted to Star, complete with his own hand-drawn illustrations, she decided to publish it as it was, using Rohith's own artwork.

"Rohith's work, passion and knowledge speak for itself," said Star. "We couldn't think of a single way to improve upon what he had done."

When not learning about American history and Presidents, Rohith likes to swim in the family pool and play keyboard.

*Answers to the trivia questions: *William Howard Taft; James Buchanan; Millard Fillmore.

To obtain Rohith's book, which sells for $12, go to http://stargroupbooks.com or call 561-547-0667.