Milton Elementary Fourth Grader Authors Original Graphic Novel Inspired by School’s House System

Milton Elementary fourth grader Connor Kremkau has combined his love of reading with inspiration from his school’s house system mascots to author his first graphic novel, The Five Houses War.

Similar to a comic book style of writing, the graphic novel showcases a series of images with character dialogue but is considered a longer narrative than that of a short, sequential story in a comic strip.

Written and illustrated entirely by Connor, the story features the animals that represent Milton Elementary’s five houses, each symbolizing one of the school’s core values: kindness, perseverance, creativity, safety, and responsibility. Last school year, students collaborated to select these animals through a schoolwide vote, creating a foundation of community and pride that now carries into Connor’s story.

In The Five Houses War, Beaver (House of Creativity) hears a strange noise and confides in Turtle (House of Perseverance), who doubts his claim. Turtle then visits Dalmatian (House of Safety), and since Dalmatian didn’t hear the noise either, he too doubts Beaver. As the mystery spreads, Beaver finds allies in Goose (House of Kindness) and Tiger (House of Responsibility). The three are on their way to Beaver’s log cabin, when they are ambushed by Turtle and Dalmatian, leading to a misunderstanding and ultimately, an action-packed “house war.” The conflict resolves when the characters discover the noise was caused by the construction of a new underwater home near Turtle’s pond, setting up the introduction of a new character in a future sequel.

“The book has a lot of action,” said Connor. “I hope to write more stories that include some of the other animals that weren’t chosen to represent the houses last year.”

“We were incredibly impressed that Connor took the initiative to create such a unique story and connect it to our school’s house system,” said Assistant Principal Jason Scott. “He wrote and illustrated this book on his own time, applying concepts he’s learned both in the classroom and through his own love of reading.”

Connor’s work has not only inspired his classmates but also highlights the creativity and leadership nurtured within Milton Elementary’s supportive learning community.