Michael J. DeCicco's first novel, KAURLIN'S DISCIPLES, which was recently published by Infinity Publishing, PA, is an homage to the inspirational English teacher he had when he was a budding writer in high school in the late '60s. In turn, Mr. DeCicco said, the words of wisdom that his fictional version, Mark Kaurlin, gives his students will inspire readers, especially teenage readers, today. KAURLIN'S DISCIPLES is the story of a young, dynamic high school English teacher circa 1969, the students he inspires, including one female 'disciple' with an unrequited crush on him, and the administrators bent on firing him because of his rebellious ways.

Mr. DeCicco's credentials include serving as a reader of Young Adult Books for "The Boston Globe" and over 20 years as a freelance writer and news correspondent. Currently, he is a freelance writer and substitute teacher in the Greater New Bedford area. He lives with his wife Cynthia in New Bedford. He earned his BA in Creative Writing at Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI in 1977.

FOUR-STAR REVIEWS for KAURLIN'S DISCIPLES: **** Alyssa Feller, a reviewer with the major on-line book review service, YA Books Central: "A story about discovering your true self...this book is a great and quick summer read and will especially be enjoyed by those who like reading books set in the 1960s." ( Read her full review on www.yabookscentral.com. At 'Site Search', type 'Kaurlin's.') **** Award-winning novelist Joyce Walsh of Lakeville, in a review posted on the "Infinity Publishing" web-site: "'Kaurlin’s Disciples' captures the dramatic tension of 1960s’America between the younger generation’s idealism and the entrenched generation’s status quo. Using the familiar setting of a classroom to explore these themes, author DeCicco’s story evokes all the emotions of a teenage woman caught between her first love—a rebellious teacher—and the repressive authority of the school superintendent, the mayor, and even her own father." ****AllBooks Review.com review by Shirley Roe: "....Michael DeCicco shows an in-depth understanding of the teen psyche. The characters are believable, show realistic concerns and emotions and young readers will easily identify with them. Although the story is set in the tumultuous 1960s, the life lessons in the book still apply in today's modern world. Recommended for young adults and older teens."

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'Kaurlin's Disciples--the play
A theatrical version of 'Kaurlin's Disciples', currently being written. Its first act was successfully produced in a New Bedford theater group's annual Short Play Marathon. E-mail michaeldecicco@comcast.net for more info.