F E AT U R E S
LOWERYS
FIND HOME IN JA’s
FAMILY
A
boy named Parker gets into a scuffle and takes a hit to the head. After experiencing memory loss from the injury, Parker’s memories return to him little by little. Parker is the main character in rising seventh-grader Keigon Lowery’s upcoming book. In this second literary endeavor, Keigon has written a fictional play that explores character building and second chances. Parker is “learning how to be a better person,” says Keigon. The book Restart that he read during literature class inspired Keigon to create a second-chance protagonist. Little by little also could describe how Keigon has found solace and healing since his mother’s death in his presence shortly before he turned 4. His dad, Bobby Lowery, a satellite radio disc jockey and producer, worked to find sources of support during what he says was a rough season. In the ensuing years, a community of supporters enveloped Keigon, helping his dad create an uplifting environment to encourage Keigon to be the best person he could be. Keigon’s writing journey was a crucial part of that. Lowery had encouraged his young son to journal one paragraph a day to express his feelings. These journal entries became the basis for his first book. The summer before entering fifth grade, Keigon released My Dad & Me, which Keigon says chronicles positive moments as he adapted to life without his mother. JA teachers volunteered to proofread his writing. A local illustrator turned Keigon’s character descriptions into art for a nominal fee. A designer in Belgium that the Lowerys met through Instagram supported the Lowerys by digitizing the illustrations. Dillard’s department store sponsored the self-published book. New York City radio personality, DJ Self, still promotes Keigon’s work on his show. Along with direct support for his writing, Keigon also benefited from being in a school environment where a kid can be a kid, says his father. The JA community has been a source of comfort, of practical boots-on-the-ground kind of counseling for Keigon. In his art classes, Keigon could express his feelings; during band, he could shine, and in 16 TRUE BLUE
