SHS librarian shares novel with students in the Bronx
March 4, 2017
The Zorki Chronicles, which was released in 2013, is currently making an impact on the lives of high school students. At a disadvantaged school in the Bronx, Lehman High School, SHS librarian and author Mr. William Lowenburg shared his novel with a class of 15 high school seniors.
Teacher Vicki Mcguigan introduced her 12th grade English class to The Zorki Chronicles.
ai???Vicki Mcguigan was a friend of mine, and my wifeai??i??s former student.ai??? said Lowenburg. ai???Sheai??i??s been a fan of the book since the beginning.ai???
When Lowenburg was writing his bookai??i??s manuscript, Mcguigan was one of few people who was given to read it.
The Zorki Chronicles is a coming of age story about a group of high school seniors. The country is at war, the draft is back, and the main character, Myles Parker, walks away from being a star athlete to become a photographer and political activist.
ai???It sounds serious but itai??i??s told in a humorous way,ai??? said Lowenburg. ai???Mcguigan knew the book very well and thought her students would positively respond to it.ai???
Mcguigan used the novel as the classai??i??s core text to strengthen their reading comprehension and writing skills as well as their awareness of the importance of involved citizenship.
The schoolai??i??s area has experienced many issues regarding violence and crime.
ai???The principal is trying to bring in things to make kids want to go to school.ai??? said Lowenburg. This is what motivated Lowenburg to read a few final chapters of his book with the class.
ai???The Zorki Chronicles helped the students to better understand things about themselves by identifying with characters in the story.ai??? Lowenburg said.
As it turned out, more students attended class during the reading of The Zorki Chronicles.
Lowenburg encouraged the students to strive for success. He gave them Zorki Chronicles t-shirts and shared his photo screenplay of the novel with them.Ai??
After receiving an extremely positive student reaction, the school is in the process of adding The Zorki Chronicles to their English curriculum.
ai???My impact on this school has really made me feel like I am somebody special.ai??? Lowenburg said.
The first two chapters of The Zorki Chronicles can be checked out at the website below:
http://zorkichronicles.com/
Shavaughn Frank • Mar 28, 2017 at 1:31 PM
Stroudsburg should be reading his book and promoting it because he does a lot for all of us.
Gabe Bellinger • Mar 20, 2017 at 12:58 AM
I like this article. Its nice to see the librarian be able to give out a great book and just be able to do something positive for those students something that he didn’t have to do.
Hagan Schomberg • Mar 13, 2017 at 12:34 PM
After reading this article and personally reading The Zorki Chronicles I think that this is a wonderful book that has not only impacted me but is affecting other students in a positive way. I think that more schools should start investing their time and money into books like The Zorki Chronicles so that students can enjoy a good book as well as get something positive out of it.
Caeley Hank • Mar 7, 2017 at 2:43 PM
Maybe Stroudsburg should work his book into our curriculum!
Megan Eppley • Mar 6, 2017 at 8:17 AM
I think Mr. Lowenburgs novel was just what the students in Lehman High School and possibly several other high schools could use as a positive tool to engage students and here we see it did just that. Not only was it encouraging better reading and writing skills but also allows students to recognize the importance young adults have as being citizens.
jessica yerger • Mar 6, 2017 at 8:12 AM
I like this because most people don’t like going to school so I think some kids don’t understand how important school is but it is their choice for what they do no one can tell someone else what they can do.
Kyra Gilman • Mar 6, 2017 at 8:09 AM
Wow! I didn’t know Mr. Lowerburg was a writer! I should ask him for tips.
Dylan hagerty • Mar 6, 2017 at 7:23 AM
That seems like a very good thing to do for kids who may not have books
Amberise Colon • Mar 4, 2017 at 8:20 PM
That is interesting and that is a cool thing that librarian is doing that .