By Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — A New Jersey author, Ty Drago — of the Undertakers series — joined in celebrating National Family Literacy with the Riverfront School community this November.
”Between copies of ‘Rise of the Corpses’ and ‘Queen of the Dead,’ I sold 114 books, the most I’ve ever sold at a single school event,” Mr. Drago told the Register-News on Nov. 16. “It was a ton of fun and very gratifying to see how excited the kids were about Will and his adventures.”
Family Literacy Night, held Nov. 15, was sponsored by a PRIDE in Public Education grant from the Florence Township Education Association and the Florence Township Riverfront PTO.
”We wanted to offer activities for students to promote reading as well as to listen to guest readers from the community,” said Elyse Willey, a basic skills instructor for Language Arts Literacy of fourth- and fifth-graders at Riverfront last year. “It was an opportunity for families to come together to share in the joy that is found in reading, hence the event name, Family Literacy Night.”
Gina Dunphy, Florence Township Riverfront School PTO president, said for the past two years the school has been celebrating literacy in November in conjunction with National Family Literacy Day, which recently took place on Nov. 1.
Family attendance nearly tripled from last year, according to Ms. Dunphy, noting in 2012 visitors included 65 families, 26 student helpers from seventh and eighth grades, 15 staff members, principal Theresa Elias, Florence Mayor Craig Wilkie, and Superintendent Donna Ambrosius.
She estimated186 people attended the event.
The Florence Township Public Library as well as PRIDE in Public Education, of the Florence Township Education Association, had tables set up and were handing out information featuring reading tips. Some folks signed up for new library cards.
Guest readers included Fire Commissioner Barb Mayer, Fire Marshall Brian Richardson, patrol officer Michelle Hollins, of the Florence Township Police Department, and Debbie Partyka, the owner of Debbie’s Snack Shop in Florence.
During the “Give A Book. Take A Book” portion of the evening, any books that remained were slated to be donated to New Jersey families affected by Hurricane Sandy.
According to Ms. Willey, the PTO sponsored a Scarecrow Contest, which was completed by fourth through eighth grade classrooms as well as the preschool class. All 23 scarecrows created were based on a literary characters.. Winners were voted on during the Family Literacy Night.
”It actually was pretty hard,” said Nicholas Conti, 9, of Florence. His class built the first place winner Clifford the Big Red Dog scarecrow. “We got the collar which is a headband. We got some clothes. My friend Christina sewed the pants and legs together and we stuffed it with newspaper.”
”It was really fun,” Nicholas said. “My favorite part was watching the whole thing go up in the main office.”
New this year was the chance to meet and greet an author.
”I write a series of middle grade heroes called Undertakers,” Mr. Drago told the Florence audience on Family Literacy Night. “It’s a story of a child army rivaling, it’s a little scary, a little funny. A lot of fun.” According to Mr. Drago, he has finishedbook three and, on Nov. 15, his wife was at home editing it.
”When you write a book it takes a long time,” he told students.
Mr. Drago held up two of the Understakers books and pointed out that one of them was 87,000 words.
”One of the most important things about being a writer is that you have to be a reader,” Mr. Drago said. “If you ever want to end up writing a book of your own, the most important that you can do is read as many other people’s books as can.”
Mr. Drago encouraged the kids to chase their dreams. “Dream chasing is a lot harder and takes a lot of courage and a lot of belief in yourself and you can’t be afraid when people tell you that don’t like what you are doing,” he said. “People often tell me they don’t like what I have written. I get good reviews, I get bad reviews. I’ve had people turn me down hundreds of times not so much for these but for other books and short stories.”
Mr. Drago explained to the kids that “that’s the business” and “you have to put yourself out there.”
Mr. Drago advised the youngsters. “You say, ‘I know what I can do,’ and you say, ‘thank you for your opinion,’ and, ‘I’m not willing to give up.”
Mr. Drago told the Register-News, “The Undertakers have no super powers, and the villains they face are considerably nastier than anything their comic predecessors had to deal with.”
He said he spent quite a bit of time writing the first book of the Undertakers series.
”The first one, ‘Rise of the Corpses,’ took years,” Mr. Drago said. “I was developing the story and it required more than one incarnation before it became what it is now. To give you an idea, my then twelve-year-old son is now a sophomore at Drexel University.”
Mr. Drago reflected on opportunities to visit schools and speak to students.
”Writing for middle grade is amazing. Your audience is more than engaged and entertained; they’re enthralled. That age group really knows how to fall in love with a story. The feedback is wonderful, the questions are great and often surprisingly insightful.”
On Family Literacy Night, student TC Moore, 13, of Roebling, said he learned from Mr. Drago, “If you have a dream, follow it.”
TC’s mom, Sandee Moore, recalled the impression that the author made on her sons earlier in the day at a school assembly.
”He made an impression on both of my sons,” said mom Sandee Moore of Roebling. “Both of them were very excited when they came home.”
”It was cool,” said Tommy Muehliesen, 11, of Florence, who meet Mr. Drago and had his book signed. “The books look cool.”
”It’s awesome,” said Jack Dodge, 9, of Florence. “I meet him at the book club (earlier today).”
Jack learned about writing books from Mr. Drago and said he felt inspired to perhaps write books someday.
”It takes longer than you think to write a book and that he really likes reading,” Jack said. “Maybe I would like to write books too a little someday. I think I can dabble a little sometimes.”
”I think it’s a great event for the kids to come out and meet an author and try some new books,” said mom Christy Dodge of Florence.
Alison Kuc was excited about the opportunity to meet her favorite author and said she will not soon forget the experience.
”I thought it was awesome because he’s my favorite author — ever,” said Alison, 10, of Roebling. “This was quite an experience.”

