Frederick Von Burg, a teacher in the Levittown School District for over 31 years, recently released his new novel Keep My White Sneakers, Kit Carson, which is aimed at young adults aged 14-18.

The book mixes science fiction with a historical setting and contemporary life in a way that Von Burg hopes stirs teenage interest. The historical novel refers to a young man, who, through a malfunctioning Van De Graaf generator, ends up in 1835, which was the time of the Mountainmen in the Rockies and the heyday of the Blackfoot Indians who ruled the northwest plains at that time.

According to Von Burg, who is a resident of Syosset, high school physics students are very familiar with the Van De Graaf generator, an instrument that generates static electricity. Von Burg hopes his new novel will renew interest not just in reading, but also in subjects as varied as social studies and physics.

The idea from the book came from numerous sources, according to Von Burg, who credits his two sons as being his inspiration. He wrote the book based on research, his experience as a Scoutmaster and camp counselor, his teaching experiences and his many trips to the west coast. Writing about violent times, Von Burg said he gives his story a non-violent aspect and ends it all in a manner that Hollywood would envy.

Von Burg also gained a great deal of knowledge regarding what teens enjoy reading and based the story and the cover of the book on that information. "If over 31 years I learned anything, it's the type of book a teenager will select from the school library," said Von Burg.

Von Burg is also the author of Raising Your Future, a book about teaching responsibility. His new novel, Keep My White Sneakers, Kit Carson, which was published by iUniverse, is available at local book stores and also on-line at amazon.com, bn.com and borders.com.