Former Lehighton resident, Mike Resh, will return to his childhood stomping grounds on Saturday when he gives a sneak peak of his first published work at the library at 10 a.m.

Resh, an elementary school counsler in Lancaster, is planning a small meet and greet book tour from the library to the new Joker’s Wild Cafe before the annual Halloween parade.

The 33-year-old grew up in Mahoning Township and graduated from Lehighton Area High School in 2003 before attending Bloomsburg University. He earned a master’s degree in education from Lehigh University.

Resh has been a counselor at his Lancaster elementary school for over eight years. It’s where he was struck with the inspiration for his children’s book, “Dneirf.”

The illustrated pages tell the tale of Otto, a young boy who is having a difficult morning. He struggles to have a positive day and interactions with his friends at school while he learns that his friendship hurdles are because he is doing things “backward” from what a true friend would do, or being a “Dneirf.”

As the story continues, Otto is helped by his friends and the school counselor and is able to turn himself around and move in the right direction toward being a true friend.

“After the first to second year as a counselor, I realized there was a common problem that kept coming across my desk,” Resh said.

“The idea of the ‘normal’ everyday social conflicts kids face. They are learning how to solve problems, but don’t have the skills yet.”

Resh’s book can be found under the anti-bullying section, but it’s less about bullying and more about a child learning how to help himself or herself “turn it around.”

“The idea came around when the anti-bullying came about. Parents would call upset, and it was a lot of detective work to find out that kids did not know how to solve conflicts,” he said.

“We take bullying very seriously, but there’s a lot more situations of social conflict. There are not a lot of books on friends being mean to friends and how to turn it around.

“That got me thinking and I started taking notes and called friends and family and then started writing. I had to step outside my comfort zone to write this,” he said.

Resh said after the idea and illustrator came together, the entire process from start to publish took a full year to complete.

“The reading level of the book is third to fifth grade, but the story is for all ages,” he said.

The counselor-turned-author said he is excited to share his first book with his hometown.

“I grew up in Mahoning. I had my first library card, checked out my first book at the Lehighton library,” he said.

Resh will donate a signed copy of his book to the library, and in March, will work with local elementary schools to present his book to different grades.

“I always love coming home,” he said.

“My parents and family still live in the area. It’s even cooler to be a part of this and bring it back to the community. I’m really excited about it.

Resh remembers the first book to make a strong impression on him and hopes his story will do the same for other students.

“The Giving Tree by Shell Silverstein,” he said. “I read that book to my students every year. The generosity, empathy and giving, it just stuck with me. That’s something I try to carry out.”

Resh said writing a book had always been a dream, even though his profession is education.

“It was on my bucket list, but now that I went through the process, it was so fun. I am brainstorming ideas for two more stories, things that I see in school. I’m trying to fill the gap for other school counselors and to create great resource for parents. With all the things happening in the world, we need up-to-date resources.”

Resh will be at the Lehighton Public Library at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m., to 2 p.m., meet and greet book signing down the block at Jokers are Wild Game Cafe on First Street.

During the signing, a raffle will be held with prizes donated by local businesses including original art work by the book’s illustrator.

The official release date for “Dneirf,” which is published by Mascot Books, is Nov. 7. At that time, copies can be purchased on the author’s website followed by a Barnes and Noble release.

For more information or to purchase a signed copy, visit www.mikeresh.com.