ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Every year, local Rochester authors visit schools to bring books and read them to students in their Festival To-Go. 

One author's book holds a special connection to the school she visited.

Nestled in the South Wedge, Rose O’Keefe’s home is more than 100 years old.

“You can’t help but, living in a house like this, think about who the neighbors used to be," she said.

Those historic neighbors include Frederick and Anna Murray-Douglass.

“There was so much more than people were ever talking about," O'Keefe said. "I mean, yes, he was a great man and I admire and respect him. But he had an entire family that made his lifestyle possible.”

O'Keefe began writing books about what she learned.

“So one book has led to another and I am still working on this," said O'Keefe. "And I just say, long, dark winters are good for something.”

Her latest book, "Special Delivery: From One Stop to Another on the Underground Railroad," is a historical fiction that takes place at the Douglass homestead, where the Anna Murray-Douglass Academy now stands.

“She was certainly, hardly ever credited for all she did that held the family together," O'Keefe said. "As well as contributing to everything that needed to be in place for the underground railroad to function.”

And she visited the school to share her book alongside several other local authors as part of Rochester Area Children’s Writers & Illustrators' annual Festival To-Go.

“Reading was the key to freedom," said O'Keefe. "And whether you read digitally or any other way, you have to be able to read.”

Authors like her shared a presentation or reading and then every student in the class got a signed copy of the book.

“It’s almost like, this is what I could do in the future if I want to, and I know I can do it because she could do it," said fifth-grader Brennen Sierra.

For her and her brother Cuau, it’s more than an inspiration, but a new way of thinking about the name behind their school.

“So I think it was very bold that we said, 'you know, we all know about Frederick Douglass, but let’s all take a step back and look at who else should really shine,'" said Brennen.

O'Keefe is one happy neighbor and she thinks the Douglasses would’ve been too. 

“I think the entire Douglass family would be so pleased to have the community using this space," O'Keefe said.