LOCAL AUTHOR VISIT DISTRICT 135

Todd Hasak-Lowy, local author of the juvenile novel “33 Minutes” recently visited Jerling and Orland Jr. High students to discuss the process of writing the fiction-based book of middle school student Sam Lewis, and the ups and downs of friendships at this age.

Although Hasak-Lowry had authored two adult books, he was inspired by his own middle school children and the book, “The Outsiders.”  Students enjoyed learning how the story’s title was established, the book cover created and how he met the challenge of writing a story for young readers after writing adult fiction. By writing “33 Minutes” Hasak-Lowry hoped to inspire reluctant readers with the book’s quirky characters and funny illustrations and higher level readers with the main character's intelligent and snarky humor. 

Mr. Hasak-Lowry is also a Hebrew translator and a creative writing professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.