Student from Hawthorne writes fifth book, donates $1K in supplies to his high school

Philip DeVencentis, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read

HAWTHORNE — Yet another idea hatched inside the head of Paul Duerr, and two months later, it has fully matured.

It is a 92-page Western — the student author's fifth book to be released since he caught the writing bug at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his most recent effort, titled "Steel and Bone," readers will be introduced to Pierce Clayton, whose family is murdered and ranch destroyed by outlaws in the fictional whistlestop of Amberwater, Texas, four years after the end of the Civil War.

Paul Duerr, an incoming senior at Hawthorne High School, wrote four books during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, he poses for a photo at his home on Mawhinney Avenue on June 14.
Paul Duerr, an incoming senior at Hawthorne High School, wrote four books during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, he poses for a photo at his home on Mawhinney Avenue on June 14.

So he does what any heroic cowboy would do: He fights back.

"It's a tale of vengeance," said Duerr, 17, an incoming senior at Hawthorne High School. "He puts together a gang of his own, and he wins the day."

Duerr said he started writing the novella just after a successful book-signing event that he hosted at Shortway's Barn, a bar and restaurant on Goffle Road, in June.

The Record and NorthJersey.com featured Duerr that month to promote the event and to publicize the release of his fourth book, titled "1864," which takes place during the war. "Steel and Bone" is a departure for the author, as all of his previous novellas — including "High Horse," "A Shot in the Dark" and "The Ultimate Resolution" — are works of historical fiction on military topics.

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Now Duerr is using up the proceeds of his book sales to give back to the high school, which he said has "changed my life so much."

He went on an online shopping spree, buying $1,000 worth of merchandise for teachers and for the high school library. Among the items he purchased were 90 glue sticks, 144 boxes of tissues, 160 dry-erase markers, 216 pencils and 432 pens.

Duerr's haul also included five board games and 18 books that the library specifically wanted.

Cover of 'Steel and Bone', a novella by Duerr.
Cover of 'Steel and Bone', a novella by Duerr.

"I just had the money, and I had nothing to do with it," Duerr said. "I thought that this would be a good thing to do."

Principal Kevin Pfister said the high school was "extremely proud" of and "grateful" for Duerr's new book release and for his donation of supplies.

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"Paul carries an immense amount of school pride and cares deeply about our school," Pfister said. "He's an outstanding representative of our student body and has demonstrated once again that his talents extend far beyond the classroom."

Duerr said he will present the supplies to teachers and to the library on back-to-school night, scheduled for Sept. 22.

To buy a Kindle version or paperback copy of "Steel and Bone," or any of Duerr's books, visit amazon.com or paulbduerr.com/bookstore.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Hawthorne NJ student releases book, uses sales proceeds for school