Twenty-Twenty through my Eyes | Really Impacting K-12

“Twenty-Twenty through my Eyes”

The book will be available for purchase on Amazon effective Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Audience of Readers

Kids
Young Adults
Adults/Elderly
Parents & Guardians
Schools
Colleges & Universities

Did the national pandemic affect you in a difficult way? Was it a challenging time for you at home, at school, or in your community? How did you cope with the global pandemic?

Read about how I navigated those challenges as a middle school student in East New York, Brooklyn. Kids have emotions, feelings, and thoughts too! Let’s just say we all struggled or had to make major adjustments during that time. This is my story —told through the eyes of a 13-year-old—living in the heart of the Big Apple.

“E-Book, Soft Cover & Hard Cover Available NOW on Amazon & (Audiblebook Coming Soon)...

Darnell L. S. Yates II
Honor Student — Published Author — Varsity Football — National Honor Society
— Performing Arts — Black Belt Taekwondo — Future Optometrist/STEM
— Secondary Education concentration in Science

About the Book:

This book was written during the national pandemic in 2020. At the time, Darnell L. S. Yates II was eleven years old and a 6th-grade student in middle school. He began the school year attending classes in person but transitioned to virtual learning by March. Darnell completed his 6th-grade year on Zoom, an experience that sparked the creation of this book.

During his 7th-grade year, Darnell faced and overcame several academic, social-emotional, and personal challenges at home, school, and within his community. Like many students around the world, he had to navigate uncertainty, isolation, and major lifestyle adjustments. Writing became a vital coping mechanism for him during the global pandemic.

This book offers a powerful glimpse into the world through Darnell's eyes, capturing his emotional displacement, academic struggles and successes, experiences with grief, fear of the unknown, loss of normalcy, and the anxiety of potentially losing loved ones to COVID-19.

As a child, Darnell recognized that real-life situations often demand either the expression, suppression, or concealment of emotions. He chose to express himself through writing. His hope is that readers gain insight into his journey and are inspired to find healthy ways to cope with their own challenges by learning from his experiences.

About the Author:

My name is Darnell L. S. Yates II, and I am currently an 11th grade honor student at Cardinal Hayes High School. I reside in Brooklyn, New York. In the summer of 2025, I will be attending a Pre-College Program at Syracuse University which will help me to further my studies. I am a passionate, self-motivated young man dedicated to achieving my goals and helping others.

As someone who loves to stay engaged, I participate in various extracurricular activities. I am a member of the National Honors Society,National Society of High School Scholars, Varsity Football Team, the Bronx Youth Leadership Council, Student Government, Mentorship & Medicine Club, Challenger-Newspaper Club, International Culture Club, Cardinal Singers, and Cardinal Players. Currently, I hold a Black Belt in Taekwondo, participate in STEM initiatives, serve as an academic tutor, shadow an optometrist, study abroad for positive impact projects, and actively serve my church and community. Additionally, I am the Youth Director of Social Media and Advertising for Really Impacting K-12 Inc.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, shopping, listening to music, participating in the performing arts, hanging out with friends, writing, volunteering, and traveling. Twenty Twenty through my Eyes was originally written in 2020 when I was a 7th grader. I used to write about my daily activities during covid to help me adjust to the changes that were taking place. This was my way of expressing myself.

I know that nothing is promised and changes occur daily. As a result, I am focused on my dreams and aspirations. I have set a short term goal to graduate in 2026 and attend the college/university of my choice without having any reservations. My long term goal is to become an optometrist/opthamologist providing quality eye care services to underrepresented communities while also mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of STEM scholars. Thank you to my parents, family, and mentors for their unwavering motivation, and support to believe in myself and never give up. I know that with God, I will always remain at the core of who I am.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:13

Make a Purchase:

Use amazon to link for buyers to utilize the platform for purchases (ebook- $9.99, soft cover-$19.99 or hard cover- $29.99)
Twenty-Twenty through my Eyes by Darnell L, S. Yates II

Book Signing Tour: Summer/Fall 2025

Virtual Book Launch June 1, 2025 - Family, Friends, and Guests.
Media Releases - June 7, 2025: Just Love Radio interview honoring the recipient Darnell Yates II for the Pax Christi Metro New York Peacebuilders Award

Book Review will be conducted via zoom. If you are interested in participating after reading the book, please email me at twentytwentythroughmyeyes@gmail.com. Student readers are encouraged as well elementary, middle, high school, and college scholars. Those participating will participate in a special something by the author! - Sunday, November 30, 2025 @ 7pm

Bookings, Speaking Engagements, & Author Readings:

Feel free to contact me by email, phone or social media.
Email: twentytwentythroughmyeyes@gmail.com
Business Number: 833-556-BOOK (2665)
Personal Email: darnell.yates718@gmail.com
Social Media: X, YouTube & TikTok: TBA

(Top 35) Future Colleges & Universities of Interest: Goals & Aspirations

Darnell's "Stats & HS Highlights"

New Releases:
Coming Soon Winter 2025

The Title of the Book will be released during my “Book Review” along with the cover, about the book/ about the author November 30, 2025 to participants. - Stay Tuned In!