WriteBoston - Press

Author Visits
July 2002
WriteBoston Brings Acclaimed Young Adult Author to Students

On June 19, acclaimed young adult author Lois Lowry visited the McCormack Middle School to discuss writing and honor the students involved in McCormack's literary magazine. This special event is part of WriteBoston's plan to bring authors from PEN New England, a worldwide organization of writing professionals, to schools to inspire students with their own writing.

Lois Lowry is best known for writing Number the Stars and The Giver, both of which have received the prestigious Newbery Medal. Ms. Lowry first met students at the McCormack for a private discussion of the writing process. She and the students were then honored at a special luncheon provided by Sovereign Bank, a corporate partner with the McCormack school. Ms. Lowry and the students also participated in a question and answer period, where students were able to address their own writing joys and concerns and get advice from one of their favorite authors.

"WriteBoston is excited about the partnership developing with PEN New England. The energy created by the authors at these events elevates interest in writing - exactly what WriteBoston is designed to do!" said WriteBoston's new Director, Betty Southwick.

The McCormack School is one of three schools WriteBoston will be working with. The other schools, Boston Community Leadership Academy and the Odyssey Academy at South Boston, have also received special author visits. Mary Sullivan, author of Stay, visited two junior English classrooms at Boston High School in May to discuss her book and what it means to be a writer. Students learned about drafting, designing cover art, and the publishing process. At the Odyssey Academy, author Sue Miller led a book discussion of her novel While I Was Gone. The book group--specifically for English teachers--allowed the teachers to discuss the writing craft and inspired them to bring their findings to their classrooms.

WriteBoston, a public/private partnership led by Mayor Menino, is a citywide initiative that mobilizes schools, families and community agencies to dramatically improve writing competency among Boston middle and high school students.

WriteBoston will continue to work with PEN New England to bring authors and other resources to the three schools in order to promote writing as both a valuable skill and an important means of creative expression.