The Grind looked more like a packed playroom than a coffeehouse on Friday.

Second-graders from Monroe Elementary School packed the place, along with their families and fans, for an “Author Spotlight Road Trip."

Kyle Rischert, a barista at The Grind, hustled to keep the crowd cool on the muggy day with frozen smoothies and frappes.

The crowd was there for more than the drinks, though. They were there to hear students give voice to their original writing.

Twenty-two of 28 students from Kristen Zemnickas’ second-grade class attended the author spotlight, reading short stories, essays, plays and poems. Students found inspiration for their writing in a variety of places, including family, pets and friendship. A few students weren’t comfortable sharing on stage, so they helped by passing out programs.

Each student bravely took the stage and spoke their words into a microphone. Applause competed with the grind of the smoothie blender.

Zemnickas had been envisioning her students sharing their work on stage since winter. She has an “author spotlight” chair in her room for students to sit in and share work with the class. She started picturing her students reading poetry at an open mic night and thought it would be a great experience for them.

“I think it’s good to give them an opportunity to speak publicly,” Zemnickas said. “It helps give them confidence in future experiences.”

This is the first time Zemnickas has attempted this type of event. She was so excited the night before the reading, she said, she could hardly sleep. She said her students also get excited to share their work with others and it inspires them to write more.

The Grind has never before hosted an open mic night for children. Owner Rose Henry said she loved it.

“I would do it again in a minute,” she said.

Zemnickas rounded out the evening by reading her own original poem titled A Wonderful Class. She said her inspiration was her students.

“They are so eager to learn and truly enjoy all types of writing,” Zemnickas said. “We work so hard, but have so much fun writing about our adventures.”