In the urban high school where the author was teaching, grade 11 AP Literature classes were studying Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved" through literature circles. She had noticed that students undertook the role of Illustrator with immense effort, purpose, and creativity. Moreover, the group discussions surrounding the Illustrator's visual were dynamic; students readily connected the artwork with the novel and offered thoughtful interpretations. This led the author to design and implement an art-based culminating project. This project was called the secret compartment booklet, and it offered a particularly challenging and valuable opportunity for students in secondary English classes to explore text through creating art and to engage students as active meaning makers.