Anthony S. Abbott
In response to inquires from teachers and students who are studing his poems and other writing for additional information, Dr. Abbott has written a personal statement. Click on the link below for additional information about Dr. Abbott and early photographs of him along with his mother and sister.
A Teacher's Response to Leaving Maggie Hope
When I read in the alumni magazine about the publication of Tony's first novel, reading it was a must because he had been my thesis advisor at Davidson in 1969-70. I never expected the impact it would have in my classroom. Leaving Maggie Hope charmed me, not an easy task considering I had by then taught middle school English for over thirty years and read scores of adolescent novels. This one I knew I had to teach.
David Lear's life at the Lowell School equally enthralled my students. They connected to his struggle not to be different, to make sense out of a confused and disabled family, and to find a home at school, where many adolescents would never admit they are comfortable and secure. Many wished they had friends like David's fellow lifesavers, a safety net like Molly Ariel, or an adult confidant like Mrs. Rossiter. The boys denied they had thoughts like David's, and the girls asserted that all boys are like that. They howled at the sex ed. class and cried when Maggie gave David her final advice. Leaving Maggie Hope touched them as no other novel I have ever taught.
Twice Tony visited my classes for a day, and both times he held the students in his hands, reading his poetry, discussing the blurry line between fact and fiction, and always answering their questions as if they came from colleagues, not eighth graders. Students quickly understood Tony's love of the written word, his keen awareness of the uniqueness of their lives and his genuine interest in his readers. Leaving Maggie Hope convinced my non-readers they can spend time with a good book (Many admitted it had been years since they had read an entire novel) and challenged every student to live with courage, hope, determination, and most of all love. Could anyone expect more from a novel?
Thomas M. Hart
Retired - 8th Grade English Teacher
West Hartford Public School System
Dr. Abbott is available for readings from his work, for lectures on writing and literature, and for residencies. To inquire or for additional information, use the on-line email contact form.