The Zorki Chronicles

by Bill Lowenburg

High school senior Miles Parker is an aspiring vegan with a bit of a violent streak. Miles also has a major-league arm, but walked away from sports when his dad abandoned him. Living alone, Miles searches for a new identity through the rangefinder of his vintage Zorki camera. War rages overseas and threatens to break out closer to home. Inspired by two free-thinking teachers and a reclusive artist, Miles and his brainy sidekick Bird handle the return of the draft, complex relationships, and hometown haters with creativity and humor. The Zorki Chronicles is a coming-of-age novel whose quirky characters make a stand for the new counterculture.

Genres: Young Adult

464 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2013

Reviews

[Tatii13tm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main theme of the book The Zorki Chronicles was to end the war. The author wants to persuade the audience to side with ending the war. A high school student that lives in Pocono Flats is the narrator. Miles is a senior, he’s athletic, and he’s a quarterback. A Zorki is an obsolete Russian camera from back in the cold war era. Zorki means “sharp sighted”, meaning you understand and see what nobody else does. The character I identify with most is Angie Belmar. I like the character because I feel that she is real and honest, and she doesn’t try to be cool for anybody, but her life is rough. I can relate to this character a lot. One of my favorite quotes from Angie Belmar is “whether or not you get high’’, she says “has nothing to do with being cool in my eyes. The reason I do it isn’t very cool at all. I thought it might be nicer if I shared it with someone who doesn’t want to get in my pants before he gets to know me”. I like this quote because it shows that by her getting high it’s not all about trying to be cool or to fit it, I feel that she is just trying to find someone who shares the same connection and who doesn’t just see her as a junkie or someone who isn’t going to get far in life. The author did well as a writer for a young adult/teenage audience. The author included all of the high school students and brief backgrounds on them. When I read this book I felt like I was in that high school. He had a lot of characters that were in real life situations, and I think I enjoyed that the most because you can relate to what some of the characters go through or went through. I would recommend the book to others because this book has different topics in every chapter but at the end it all tied together. I would recommend this book to young adult readers so maybe they can relate to some of the characters. I would also recommend this book because it’s based on what’s happening now in the world. The war, and how it was as a high school student during war and the draft. All of the people that died from the war, high school students make an effort to help end war and hoping for peace.The main theme of the book The Zorki Chronicles was to end the war. The author wants to persuade the audience to side with ending the war. A high school student that lives in Pocono Flats is the narrator. Miles is a senior, he’s athletic, and he’s a quarterback. A Zorki is an obsolete Russian camera from back in the cold war era. Zorki means “sharp sighted”, meaning you understand and see what nobody else does. The character I identify with most is Angie Belmar. I like the character because I feel that she is real and honest, and she doesn’t try to be cool for anybody, but her life is rough. I can relate to this character a lot. One of my favorite quotes from Angie Belmar is “whether or not you get high’’, she says “has nothing to do with being cool in my eyes. The reason I do it isn’t very cool at all. I thought it might be nicer if I shared it with someone who doesn’t want to get in my pants before he gets to know me”. I like this quote because it shows that by her getting high it’s not all about trying to be cool or to fit it, I feel that she is just trying to find someone who shares the same connection and who doesn’t just see her as a junkie or someone who isn’t going to get far in life. The author did well as a writer for a young adult/teenage audience. The author included all of the high school students and brief backgrounds on them. When I read this book I felt like I was in that high school. He had a lot of characters that were in real life situations, and I think I enjoyed that the most because you can relate to what some of the characters go through or went through. I would recommend the book to others because this book has different topics in every chapter but at the end it all tied together. I would recommend this book to young adult readers so maybe they can relate to some of the characters. I would also recommend this book because it’s based on what’s happening now in the world. The war, and how it was as a high school student during war and the draft. All of the people that died from the war, high school students make an effort to help end war and hoping for peace.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zorki Chronicles is about what teenagers live every day and what they go through. The main theme of this book is about these teenagers living different past and lives. This rough life like these days, no one knows what we go through. It’s the situation teenagers in high school go through. The main character name is Miles. Miles is a teenagers in high school and he has this Zorki. His friends are Bird and Katie. Miles’ mom died when he was at a young age and his dad is always traveling and doing business so he is never there for Miles or for anything he needs. Katie is a young teenager that is considered a super cool and a smart girl in school but in reality is poor and pregnant by a drunk dropout named Tony. Tony is an alcoholic guy who graduated high school and got a scholarship to a college to play football but sadly while practicing he injured his leg and couldn’t play no more. The character that I identify with the most is Tony because I have aggression problems just like Tony and I do stuff without thinking. I think the author did well as a writer for a young adult/teenage audience because it’s about teenagers who go through family problems, school problems and things we don’t tell others. Many school teenagers lives can relate to many characters in The Zorki Chronicles would recommended the book to others because it’s very fascinating and very interesting and if I liked it I know many others would really enjoy it. Even though I’m addicted to book. Overall this book was an absolutely stunning and a great written book.

[Bill White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story in the intersection of small town events, photography and politics. I have several Zorki cameras, so that spurred me on to start reading this book. It was interesting to see how a writer writes from a high school seniors standpoint. The author does a good job of representing photography as a hobby and as a vocation in journalism.

[Kathie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles Parker is not your typical high school senior. Sure, he doesn’t attend school as often as he should – only two teachers keep him engaged – but who could blame him? Mom died when he was 4 and workaholic dad is away on business for months at a time. But with all this freedom, Miles doesn’t drink, do drugs, or play video games as you would expect. He and his math genius best friend Bird read the classics, are vegan, and care about world events. Miles is a gifted athlete who has thrown in the towel on all school sports for reasons that are unclear, and now his main interest is taking photos with a vintage Russian camera, the Zorki, he picked up on eBay. Turns out some of those Zorki photos start his troubles. In a set of circumstances that would sound utterly contrived if not ripped from recent headlines, a famously attractive but completely unqualified woman – “Cowgirl” Connie – wins the presidency after a contested election, has now sent troops to Pakistan and Mexico, and is about to reinstate the draft. Miles, Bird, and the very human cast of characters that inhabit this book take us on a page-turning trip through a frighteningly plausible present or near future where we’re fighting wars on multiple fronts and our personal liberties are continually threatened. A blend of political thriller and human drama, this book is a must-read for your politically engaged and socially passionate students as well as adults.

I typically read several books a week and give myself permission to give up on a book if I’m not engaged by page 100. So with that volume of type flowing through my brain, it happens only once or twice a year that I am sad to put down a book when I reach the end; this is one of those books. Set in a small Pocono Mountain town, much of the setting and many of the characters in this book felt very real and familiar to me. Dialog and situations are authentic, and while it’s teen-centric I would recommend it to my adult friends. The author employs a clever device: beginning each chapter with three news headlines, many of which could be torn from today’s papers, as a terrific way to establish time and place and set the tone. This is the second work by high school teacher librarian Bill Lowenburg - his first, "Crash Burn Love," is a monograph of photos and essays about demolition derby - and I look forward to his next book!

[Sarah R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miles Parker is your everyday average teenage male navigating through the notions of growing up and reaching adulthood. Even with all the garbage the government gave him for his photography of his high dislike for President Connie Peltz, Miles grows a little mature after each event. Whether it involves his father leaving him for a job in Brazil, trying his hand at college. Or go to peace rallies in objection of Cowgirl Connie’s Presidency in the White House. With these (only some) snapshot into Miles life, he gives you a taste of pure hope; that there’s something more out there than what people expect from you.

I believe, I relate to Miles the most with little doses of Bird (I’m a bit of a know-it-all). Miles personality reminds me of who I am. Independent and strong willed , but there’s also this sense of wonder he gains as he matures and I can’t help but relate to it so much. Miles and I kind of look at the world for all it is; but not for the parts of it. We share this naivety for hope, and it’s that we cling to in the most desperate of times. “I feel hope. I feel time flowing through my veins. I feel life.”

Lowenburg definitely connected well with the young adult/teenage audience, because this book deals with what comes with maturity and how we grow up from the events in our lives. The plot was terrific and easily enchanted me into reading more, especially the characters. I think the characters had a lot of influence with my love for the book, because they were so real and compelling to read.

I would recommend this to girls and boys my age, for sure. This book would be an eye-opener to any reader in my generation, and it may very well encourage others my age to read more book and look into all kinds of genres and explore the other worlds of literature.

[Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zorki Chronicles is about Miles who walked away from sports when his dad abandoned him, because his mother death and that’s why his dad living alone, Katie is a girl that like Miles, but she had sex with Tony and after that she got pregnant. Tony is a boy who consumes drugs. He finally decides that he wants to change himself but he never does it. Miles receive a letter from The Selective Service to go to The Army and his friend don’t want him to go to The Army. Because what happened to Glen. When Glen went to the Army he became crazy and that’s why they don’t want Miles go to The Army.

I identify with Miles, because, I don’t have my dad with me, and sometimes I miss him so much but, he all the time is working.

I think that the author did well because the people who read the book, learn to much if their life is the same as the character or you can learn more thing for example in page 252 “Remember, its necessary to make many bad pictures in order to make a good ones” I like this quote and its true what he say it’s necessary make mistakes to learn what you don’t do well. That’s why I learned from this book, never give up keep fighting for what you want, does not matter how many mistake you do, to the end you do it well.

The reason why I recommend this book is because when you read you learn that if you do something bad, you will always have to pay for what you’re doing.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an initial premise of “never let school interfere with your education” this is a poignant and rewarding coming of age story following the lives of several high school students --- the protagonist Miles Parker and some of his friends --- during their eventful senior year, launching them into a complex world filled with a numerous problems that can’t help but impact their futures. There are many complications and adverse circumstances, and things are far from easy, but Miles is a young man the reader fervently comes to care about with hopes for him to succeed. The book effectively combines pathos, humor, and the idea of moral responsibility. The book is peopled with a great many interesting characters, and the author skillfully weaves them together in important interactions. The author interjects strands of social philosophy and meaningful commentary (“food for thought”) along the way. This book very quickly reached “can’t put it down” status for me. It ends when it should, but still, many pressing issues are left unresolved (without being neatly and tidily wrapped up) as it ends. This book is a winner --- I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel very glad to have experienced it.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles is a disenfranchised high school senior. On his own most of the time, as his workaholic father travels on business and his mother has passed away, Miles rebels by walking away from sports, even though he excels at baseball. When that fails to capture his father’s attention, Miles ditches classes and instead fills his time with taking photographs with a vintage Russian camera, the Zorki, that he picked up on eBay.

From this point on, the book becomes a page-turning political thriller. “Cowgirl” Connie, a woefully underqualified presidential candidate, wins the election and the United States is soon fighting a war on multiple fronts and personal liberties are vanishing. Each chapter features three news headlines that set the time, place, and tone. It is clearly a world defined by fear, and yet Miles continues to pursue his ideals of respect and integrity while living for his art. Cognizant that he cannot be an agent for change, Miles instead records the issues via his Zorki. Inevitably, Miles’ photographs become an issue.

This is a compelling coming-of-age story with a strong, authentic voice.

[Kevin]

Kevin Egan 1/17/17

The Zorki Chronicles is based on the struggle of being a teenager when there’s war and no family to help you and when all you have is good arm and your neighborhood friends to help you fight American terrorists. I would say this is one of the best stories our generation can relate to. I identify most with Bird because he says “Illegitimi non carborundum” or “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.” The reason I chose this quote was I felt like it meant don’t let anyone bring you down and live your life don’t let anyone tell you what to do. I think Bird lives that way and that’s why I like him. Bill wrote this for our generation to connect to because most of the books we take place generations ago. Mainly teens can relate what happened with miles and his friends, like Tony tearing his ACL and not being able to play football and Katie getting pregnant is what girls are scared of and how she handles it. I would recommend this book because all the struggle some people go through I also found the book very interesting.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zorki Chronicles is about a senior named Miles Parker who lives in Pocono Flats who deals with relationships, war, and family problems in his life. His best friend bird and Katie (who Miles has a crush on) go through adventures and struggle in their lives, but help each other along the way during the war. I feel like I am more like Miles because I am not sure of what is my role in high school or in life too. I am also a senior who deals with a lot but has friends that help me along the way. Also, my best friend is pregnant and her due date is next month. Bill made this book not just for teens but also for adults too by using characters in different age and different lives. I would say this book is good because the story is more this generation. It will open kids’ minds and make them realize things in The Zorki Chronicles are also happening now especially Miles, Bird, and Katie's life.

[Carlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zorki Chronicles is about a young guy named Miles Parker who is a senior. His old friend has a girlfriend who got pregnant and Miles likes her. He lives alone, literally he doesn’t have family. His father is working all the time so he is never with Miles. My favorite character in this book is Glen. His participation in this book shows me that people who go into the Army sacrifice their lives and their families to go to the Army and they don’t always get benefits for themselves and their family. Some of them may die, become disabled, or have mental problems and end up helpless. Glen teaches us that we have to appreciate the veterans more because they go to the Army to defend us. The author show how young people drop out and if they don’t focus in the school they are going to have consequences. I recommend this book because this book can attract the interest of the young people.

[Carmen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miles living alone searches for a new identify through the rangefinder of his vintage Zorki camera. I think he was looking for a new life because maybe he felt lonely because he did not have his parents at his side, but he knew he had his friends- two free-thinking masters and reclusive artist. Miles and his partner Bird had to manage a complex relationship and enemies in his hometown. But of all the things that happened he learned from life only with his friend and without his father. The character I like most is Miles because he is living alone but even though he was the only one went ahead only with his friends. I think the author wrote well because his writing one book for the young people who realize with or without parents we can get ahead. I recommend this book for other people because the story of book is about a young guy. Others can learn new things from this book.

[Steven Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zorki chronicles is about Miles Parker and his friends. He lives an unusual life. His dad is not around, there are drugs and even a pregnancy- all the drama a teen could relate to or would be interested in. My favorite character is Bird. Some would call him a hippie. At the end of the book when Bird is falling down the mine shaft in Tony’s hummer he yelled “illegitimi non carborundum” which means don’t let the bastards grind you down. I mean c’mon with an attitude like that how could you not love him? I liked how the author came up with material that was interesting and relateable. I would recommend this book to others because the story is engaging and will challenge kids to think outside the box or differently. It introduces different political views and opens doors to new ideas.

[Eli Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

High school senior Miles is a teenager with a major league arm. He played football and baseball till his father abandoned him. Then he searches for a new identify and meets other friends. He gets in lots of trouble. I relate to Tony because he and I are both dropouts and Miles because we are both failing in school. I think the author did well at keeping the story interesting and making us want to keep reading. I would recommend the book to others because I’m a student who doesn’t like to read but this book changed that because he kept it very interesting. This book also can relate to our generation.