Former Lynn school principal Jeffrey Barile is proud to announce that his latest book “Let’s Be Friends,” was released on September 15, 2026, on Amazon in paperback and e-book format.
After graduating from Lynn English, Jeff continued his education at North Shore Community College and Framingham State College where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He also earned a Master’s Degree from Antioch College and a Doctorate from University of Massachusetts-Boston.
Upon retirement from the Lynn school system, Jeff also taught Composition 101 as an adjunct professor at North Shore CC.
Prior to being appointed principal of Washington Community Magnet School, Jeff taught there for ten years as a fourth-grade teacher and then ten years as a fifth-grade teacher at Cobbet Elementary School. Along with teaching, he was also assistant basketball coach at Lynn Classical and spent quite a few summers coaching basketball for the Lynn Youth Commission at Warren Street Playground.
Jeff feels the years he spent in college and with students in Lynn’s public schools plays an important role in shaping the characters and the plot of Let’s Be Friends.
Briefly, the two protagonists in the book are sixth-grade Italian immigrants living in Boston’s North End in the early 1900s, and from that setting, their story addresses issues of immigration, poverty, bullying, friendship, and tragedy. Jeff maintains that those issues are as relevant today as they were in the 1900s. And, while the main characters are young, he thinks readers of all ages will enjoy Anthony and Gina’s heartwarming story.
A portion of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to the scholarship funds of both the Lynn Italian American Citizens Club and the Lynn Rotary Club. Jeff is a proud member of the two clubs.
