What Would You Do If Something Magical Happened To You?

By Larissa Lytwyn

During a languid afternoon last summer, Newtown resident Anne Ziluck and her son Michael, a Middle Gate Elementary School student, were lounging outside discussing the Harry Potter books.

“I asked [Michael], ‘What would you do if you were suddenly able to have magical powers like the Harry Potter characters?’” Ms Ziluck remembered.

That afternoon, The American School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was born.

One year and more than 200 pages later, Ms Ziluck is asking Newtown students in grades five through eight, including those at Fraser-Woods Montessori School and the Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, to enter a contest to be part of the “Coven of 30.”

Ms Ziluck is quick to refer the Webster dictionary definition of “coven.”

“The word has two meanings,” she said, “a collection of individuals with similar interests or activities, such as a coven of intellectuals, or an assembly or band of usually 13 witches.”

With the administrative permission of Newtown schools, Ms Ziluck has been visiting classes to tell students more about the “Coven of 30” contest.

After submitting a questionnaire determining his or her grade level, a list of the best books they have ever read, and open-ended questions such as, “In 30 words or less, tell something about yourself that shows how creative you can be,” students must return a permission slip granting them parental allowance to be a part of the contest.

Their names are then entered into a drawing; the 30 students selected will have the opportunity to collaborate with Ms Ziluck and former English teacher Liz Arneth to write The American School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s final chapter.

“The chosen students will be notified by phone,” said Ms Ziluck. “They will then receive a copy of the manuscript and will have approximately 16 days to read it.”

The “Coven of 30” will convene a week later at the C.H. Booth Library on Saturday, July 17, from 10:15 am to 2:30 pm. Lunch will be included.

Reed Intermediate’s Media Specialist Donna McGough has read most of the manuscript.

“I think what’s really special about it is that it takes place right here [in Connecticut],” she said. “Local readers will recognize places they’ve been to! It makes the experience of reading the story more personal.”

The story revolves around a group of American children who discover they have magical powers. Shortly thereafter, they stumble across a disturbing mystery: “wizard” children are being kidnapped from around the world.

The culprits are a mysterious coven based in Germany’s Black Forest.

“The coven wants to take all the children’s powers before they turn 18,” Ms Ziluck explained. “It’s up to the [main] American characters to stop them!”

Ms Ziluck, a software programmer, has traveled across much of Europe, including the Black Forest, England, and Switzerland.

In her author biography, Ms Ziluck describes herself as “an academic person who loves to read and learn everything about a particular area of study.”

As she introduced her book to one class of Reed Intermediate sixth graders, the students’ excitement was palpable.

One student asked if the book was going to become a series.

“We’ll see,” Ms Ziluck replied, adding that she was in the process of acquiring a publisher.

One student was concerned that the book’s working title was a bit too long.

“What about something catchier?” he said, drawing slight chagrin from nearby classmates.

But Ms Ziluck only smiled.

“I have heard that the title might be too long,” she said. “And who knows? The publisher might want it to be more [concise] to fit on the cover. Another possible title that has been suggested to me is, What Would You Do If It Happened To You?”

Student input, she continued, was vital to the book’s authenticity, from how the characters communicated to their individual personalities and interests.

 “I am absolutely going to participate!” declared Danielle Kaufman following Ms Ziluck’s presentation. “I’ve read all the Harry Potter books and am very excited!”

Her friend, sixth grader, Julie DeAngeles agreed.

“I love the Harry Potter books,” she said. “It would be really cool to write the last chapter!”

Ms Ziluck has a love for stirring children’s imaginations, described in her author biography as “the one who really plays with the kids and asks them all sorts of funny open-ended questions that makes them think…”

During one class presentation, she asked students how they would use their magic if they suddenly such powers.

Arms whipped eagerly through the air like, well, magic wands.

One student said she would make weekends and summer vacations longer.

Another wanted to create a pile of “billions of dollars.”

Still another student simply wanted to “get back” at her brother for “always getting her into trouble.”

Ms Ziluck laughed at the responses. “This is all great!” she declared. “Excellent!”

After her presentation, several students gathered to speak with her further about the book. One, Michael Hadgraft, said that he was “definitely” going to enter the contest.

“I like sports and when I write I make it similar to my real friends and real-life situations,” he said.

Fellow sixth grader Kat Sekela was also excited. “I write a lot of poetry,” she said.

Upon returning to class, she was quickly sent back to the library.

“My teacher wanted me to show you my poetry book,” Kat announced as she returned.

Ms Ziluck read several pieces, her response peppered with compliments.

“This is wonderful,” she said.

“I strongly support any effort that brings in students’ involvement,” said Ms McGough. “This is a wonderful project to get students involved in reading and writing. They can better understand the whole writing process.”

The contest deadline is June 10.

For more information on the “Coven of 30” contest or the American School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, contact Ms Ziluck at Ann@tasww.com.