Professional Leadership, K-12 doctoral student, Cynae Punch Brown, has published a novel entitled Pineapple Sugar. The novel is centered on a girl dealing with the impending death of her mother and has been praised by School Library Journal’s Indie Voices.  

Pineapple Sugar, centers on Safiri Fields, who has always been taught to see the positive side of everything in life. Nonetheless now, her mother has been diagnosed with an incurable illness, challenging her way of thinking. Brown drew upon her own childhood experiences when it came time to write the book. "My mother died when I was seven years old," said Brown. "I was really into books as a child, so naturally, I turned to them to try to work my way through my sadness and grief. Pineapple Sugar is my attempt to let young people who have experienced grief and loss look at something and say, 'Hey! That’s me!'"

The Indie Voices issue, of the School Library Journal highlights self-published children's books, which offer diverse and inclusive perspectives on life. In its most recent issue, Indie Voices says, "Brown’s moving middle grade novel is raw and honest in its portrayal of anticipating the loss of a beloved parent, and readers will appreciate the depiction of an African-American family coming together with warmth and love."

Brown, is currently writing two follow up children's books and one book for parents. Her work on Pineapple Sugar has inspired her to continue to be a person who gives hope to others who feel alone. "I honestly feel that part of our work here on earth is to encourage others who may be about to throw in the towel because they feel they have made unforgiveable mistakes or have been dealt a hand in life that just seems to keep them from ever getting ahead," said Brown. "Whether I am teaching, leading, or writing, I just want people to know that they are loveable, and nothing is wrong with them."