Described as one of the most hated figures in reality television, Abram Boise of “MTV Road Rules: South Pacific” came to Philip G. Vroom School in Bayonne on Feb. 17 dressed as a big white bear, helping to promote reading for students in elementary school while at the same time promoting a children’s book he authored that helps raise funds for special causes.
“Star of Happiness” is a bedtime story Boise wrote, illustrated, and self published. It seems to be taking off partly because of a strong fan base that follows him on various social networking sites on the Internet.
“It never really occurred to me that people actually watch me on TV and know who I am.” – Abram Boise
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“It never really occurred to me that people actually watch me on TV and know who I am,” he said.
Boise, who has been doing reality shows for more than a decade, is perhaps best known for his roles on “MTV Road Rules: South Pacific,” and “Challenges,” the kind of shows he says he never watches and doesn’t like.
“They are fun to film, but I don’t watch them,” he said.
Yet his notoriety as a TV personality has allowed him to launch this new career – one he has worked toward all his life – as a writer. Looking at his own resume, he realized that he has more credits as an entertainer than he has in his chosen profession as an engineer.
Although better known for his TV career, Boise is actually an engineer, raised from Montana where he still lives.
A social media-generated tour
Social media is playing a big role in his book tour as word about him and his book spread and people invite him to read. He said he was filming on Long Island when someone contacted him to read at a local day care center.
“That’s how this whole thing started,” he said, referring to the book tour that has him hopping around the country. He has been in Texas, Indiana, Chicago, and other places.
Boise hit the road with a publicist, cameraman, and sound man, traveling to elementary schools, Head Start programs, and autism schools in support of Autism Speaks. He reads “The Star of Happiness” to children while promoting literacy and encouraging young people to reach for the stars – the book’s premise.
The tour, he said, evolved out of his contact with fans. He said fans kept contacting him on Facebook, Twitter, and “The Star of Happiness” sites, encouraging him to appear at local venues. This has become a vehicle for the tour.
He was doing the tour by van until it broke down near Rochester. Currently, he’s taking public transportation, he said.
“It’s me, my backpack, and my books,” he said.
While this was his first visit to Bayonne, he said he’s been to New York City frequently, joking about how he always lumped New Jersey and Long Island in with New York until he actually had to get around.
“That’s when you realize how big Long Island is,” he said.
Local teacher asked Boise to come to Bayonne
His first visit to Bayonne was generated by a message on Facebook. Crystal Barbieri, a first grade teacher at Vroom, made contact with Boise and encouraged him to add her school to his tour.
Principal Kathleen Bingham said his arrival coincided with the 100th day of school events, and is part of the district’s “Climb Aboard the Reading Express” reading program.
“It gives children a chance to meet and hear a published author,” she said.
Boise read his story from memory as students followed along in the book. He then talked about where the ideas came from, how he approached writing, and the moral he hoped the kids would get out of the book.
He said he did not let rejection deter him, and that part of the message of the book is that people should not give up.
In one session with the school’s kindergarten and first grade students, Boise was overwhelmed with questions. Students were less impressed with his role as a reality TV star, and focused on his role as an author. The bear outfit also helped, he said, noting that the spectacle is a vehicle that helps get his message across.
He said he’s always written, and during his presentation to the kids, he talked about keeping a journal and sketching out ideas that he later developed.
He told the kids that it took him seven years to write this book, and he suffered a number of rejections before he got to the point where a publisher took a chance. The road tour is part of his marketing.
“But I didn’t realize we would sell out,” he said.
His parents have been shipping more books to him in each stop so that he has enough to sell.
He said he has broader plans for the future, and wants to address the needs of America’s hungry children. That is his goal.
He said entertainment – which he is involved in – can be used as a vehicle for getting kids to understand morals. In his book, the moral is “never give up,” since you never know what will happen in the future.
He is planning a follow up that will include an interactive program for kids.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.