Gun violence in schools has become a national epidemic in recent years. The Upper Perkiomen Valley experienced this type of violence in 1993 with a tragic shooting at the Upper Perk high school.

           Ernie Quatrani was a teacher there at the time. It was an event that contributed to the inception of his new book, Internal Lockdown. A fictional account of gun violence in a school that tells the story through the eyes of students and teachers. It's a sharp and honest book. A unique perspective from the view point of those that are exposed to this type of raw and intimate violence.

            Quatrani grew up in Havertown, Delaware County. He attended high school at Arch Bishop Carroll and later graduated from Temple University with a degree in communications and Villanova with a Masters Degree in education management. He received his teaching certificate from St. Joseph's University.

            Quatrani taught English for 39 years at Upper Perk. He was also a baseball coach for many years.

            After the shooting at Upper Perk in 1993, he filled the role of assistant principal for six months. The combination of education and distinct experiences in his professional life paved a path for the development of this perspicacious novel.

            Internal Lockdown is Ernie Quatrani's first book and is candid, ingenuous and abraded. It  is straightforward and told from various viewpoints of those that are tragically tossed into this type of violent chaos.

            Before the tragedy of Columbine, a student of Quatrani's murdered a classmate in a biology lab. The student shooter considered shooting up the cafeteria, but instead walked out of the high school and was apprehended.  Quatrani was proctoring a study hall in the cafeteria at the time.

            As these types of events become more prevalent, lockdown drills became routine. But the reality of a lockdown situation is complicated and layered, as revealed in Internal Lockdown.

            The inspiration for the novel is rooted in Ernie Quatrani's experiences as a human being and teacher. The development of the book became an exercise of protocols.

            When asked about the objective of the book, Quatrani replied, "To make people aware of what it is really like for students and teachers in this type of situation."  The central plot was inspired by post factual events and 12 years of deeply involved research. At the heart of the story, is the innate drive to survive and the instinct of a teacher to "protect your charges."

            The novel opens a dialogue in regards to handling the tragedy of school shootings and how to prevent these circumstances from transpiring. There is never an end point in preparing for these types of scenarios. There must be a constant and consistent evaluation of protocols, vulnerabilities, building layouts, plans of action, and the psychological mindset of perpetrators.

            The healing of survivors is also a major priority, as these types of events manifest deep and lasting wounds.

            Quatrani hopes this novel will provide insight into the development of future protocols and a national comprehensive study on gun violence in schools. Readers of the novel will gain an insightful, empathetic perspective into the reality of these types of situations.

            In addition to being a devoted educator, Quatrani is also an accomplished writer. During his high school years, he began writing for a local newspaper and has since written many articles.

            Internal Lockdown is his first published book, but he is also working on a young adult novel, Drawing Hope, and a satirical novel about the teaching profession.

            Quatrani will be signing copies of Internal Lockdown at the Upper Perkiomen Valley Library on January 9, 2019 at 7 p.m. and in April at the Upper Perkiomen BPW Expo in April.          

            Internal Lockdown is available on Amazon and at the office of the Town and Country Newspaper, 2508 Kutztown Road, Pennsburg.

            The book is well worth a read.