Local authors visit Rolling Meadows H.S.

All Rolling Meadows High School students, regardless of academic level or year in school, were required to read one of two books for their summer reading assignment this year.

On Sept. 13, the authors of those two required books, Anne Calcagno (“Love Like a Dog”) and Tony Romano (“When the World Was Young”) visited the school as guest speakers, offering three presentations to different classes. The authors, both Chicago-based, discussed their books, writing styles, how they began to write, personal motivation for their work, and then took questions from the assembled groups. Both books are set in Chicago.

“Love Like a Dog” is a heartbreaking story of love and devotion. Dirk and his single father rescue a pit bull, which changes their lives dramatically and causes them to face incredibly difficult decisions. The book received first place for a First Novel Award from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, as well as being a finalist in its Animal/Pets category. Calcagno was also a bronze medalist in the Great Lakes Regional Fiction category at the 15th annual Independent Publishers Book Awards. In addition, her novel received Honorable Mention in the General Fiction category from the San Francisco Book Festival.

“When the World Was Young” is the story of an Italian-American family in the 1950s, raising five children in Chicago while running a tavern. The parents cling to their old-country ways, the wife dealing with her husband’s wandering eye, and the American-born children trying to define themselves in the context of a family steeped in old-world tradition. A death in the family, guilt and redemption bring focus to the family’s will to survive. Romano has also written textbooks and is a two-time winner of a PEN Syndicated Fiction Project award. Two of his stories were produced for National Public Radio and syndicated to newspapers nationwide. His fiction has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Sou’wester, Whetstone, and Italian Americana.

“It was an awesome opportunity for students to talk about the books they read and ask authors about their inspiration,” said Mary Luckritz, English/Fine Arts Division Head.

Mark Maxwell, Rolling Meadows High School teacher and himself a published author, arranged for the authors to visit the school.