All Books
Synopsis: "A fabulous book, extremely well written and engaging from start to finish. If you like the Harry Potter tales you'll be sure to enjoy this. Just as much fun for adults as children. Thoroughly recommended!" (S Devon, 5 stars)
"Spellbinding: An excellent and well written book. I was captivated from start to finish. I don't normally read fantasy novels as I find them a bit too "fantastical," but I enjoyed the escapism and adventure in this book." (Steven Ray Montgomery, 5 stars)
On his eleventh birthday Thomas Farrell is informed that the deceased father he never knew has provided for his education at Darkledun Manor, a school for gifted children. Thomas, however, feels he's just an ordinary boy, but Darkledun Manor proves to be anything but an ordinary school...
In this work of fiction the reader is transported into a world of myth as the young protagonist, Thomas Farrell, seeks to understand who his mysterious father was, and why he left him a strange glass orb containing a serpent. As the story progresses, Thomas and his friends become increasing caught up in a world they never knew existed - a world beyond the standing stones.
If you liked Harry Potter, you'd probably enjoy this book. It doesn't have any wands, witches or wizard hats, but still has a charm and appeal all of its own.
You can review a short audio sample from the book, read by the author, at writers-and-publishers.com. A video trailer can also be accessed by viewing D.M. Andrews' Amazon author page. Cover design by Alex Hausch. First chapter revision by R.J. Locksley.
Word count: Approx. 92,000
Brief: "Narnia meets Hogwarts" (AmeliaAT "Apostrophistica", Amazon reviewer)
Audience: Confident readers age 9 to adult
"Spellbinding: An excellent and well written book. I was captivated from start to finish. I don't normally read fantasy novels as I find them a bit too "fantastical," but I enjoyed the escapism and adventure in this book." (Steven Ray Montgomery, 5 stars)
On his eleventh birthday Thomas Farrell is informed that the deceased father he never knew has provided for his education at Darkledun Manor, a school for gifted children. Thomas, however, feels he's just an ordinary boy, but Darkledun Manor proves to be anything but an ordinary school...
In this work of fiction the reader is transported into a world of myth as the young protagonist, Thomas Farrell, seeks to understand who his mysterious father was, and why he left him a strange glass orb containing a serpent. As the story progresses, Thomas and his friends become increasing caught up in a world they never knew existed - a world beyond the standing stones.
If you liked Harry Potter, you'd probably enjoy this book. It doesn't have any wands, witches or wizard hats, but still has a charm and appeal all of its own.
You can review a short audio sample from the book, read by the author, at writers-and-publishers.com. A video trailer can also be accessed by viewing D.M. Andrews' Amazon author page. Cover design by Alex Hausch. First chapter revision by R.J. Locksley.
Word count: Approx. 92,000
Brief: "Narnia meets Hogwarts" (AmeliaAT "Apostrophistica", Amazon reviewer)
Audience: Confident readers age 9 to adult
Publication Date: 04/10/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis:
NOT EVERYONE SEES THE WORLD THROUGH THE SAME LENS. From the author of Something Invisible comes this funny and poignant novel about the hues of friendship.
Spunky Olivia and eccentric Hal are an unlikely pair. While Hal suffers from a neurological condition called synesthesia that causes him to associate things with colors, Olivia tends to see the world in black and white. Still, these two are friends through thick and thin, through rose-colored days and blue days, even when Hal’s plan to get rid of his mother’s boyfriend backfires by driving his mother away. Olivia’s honest, funny and always-opinionated voice tells this story with colorful perception.
Publication Date: 03/18/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Claire has moved to the country, where her parents have opened an organic bakery. Although Claire says she'd rather move to Mars, she soon falls in love with her pretty bedroom and their big creaky house. Claire hardly thinks about the city any more after she and her dog, Bongo, discover the natural wonders in the surrounding woods. And Claire has made a "best friend forever" -- the brave and headstrong Jet. To make things just about perfect, the bakery is a success ? so why are her parents always arguing? ("Why do they want a bakery when all they do is argue about it? They should open a bickery instead," writes Claire in her diary.) When Mom suddenly leaves with the Artificial Flavoring Salesman, Claire can't believe it -- why would she run off with that creepy guy? "Operation: Rescue Mom" takes Claire back to the big city with Jet and Bongo. The excitement bubbles over when the friends stumble into a quick-rising plan for global domination through artificial baking. Claire and the Bakery Thief is an irresistible treat for middle readers. And don't miss the recipes in the back!
Publication Date: 03/01/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: What is Un Lun Dun?
It is London through the looking glass, an urban Wonderland of strange delights where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people, too–including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas; Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is an enormous pin-cushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Un Lun Dun is a place where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes stalk the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book.
When twelve-year-old Zanna and her friend Deeba find a secret entrance leading out of London and into this strange city, it seems that the ancient prophecy is coming true at last. But then things begin to go shockingly wrong.
From the Hardcover edition.
It is London through the looking glass, an urban Wonderland of strange delights where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people, too–including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas; Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is an enormous pin-cushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Un Lun Dun is a place where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes stalk the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book.
When twelve-year-old Zanna and her friend Deeba find a secret entrance leading out of London and into this strange city, it seems that the ancient prophecy is coming true at last. But then things begin to go shockingly wrong.
From the Hardcover edition.
Publication Date: 01/29/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: It’s the first day of fifth grade, and Ally is psyched. She and her best friend, Betsy, are in the same class, and have already planned on singing in the annual talent show together. But it’s not long before she sees that Betsy has made a new best friend, and Ally is no longer on her radar screen. Not to mention that the weird new kid, Tina, has glommed on to Ally. In this phenomenally accurate and readable portrayal of the trials and tribulations of fifth grade, readers will watch a quirky, sensitive, and extraordinarily likeable girl try to survive. Narrated in Ally’s distinctive first person voice, Thank You, Lucky Stars beautifully illustrates that it is possible to be unpopular, individualistic, nice, and still have fun.
Publication Date: 01/08/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Norman Flinch is a pretty average kid, until he is splattered all over by an alien space orb. The unsettling gunk leaves him with a rancid aroma that keeps everyone around him gagging. He turns to Wendell Higgins, the school science geek for help. Together they unlock the awe-inspiring secret of the Stinking Space Goo.
Publication Date: 09/28/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: In The Lycan Journal, Gordo Gates, a thirteen-year-old boy, makes a startling discovery, concerning the history of werewolves, and a hidden treasure of silver, which needs to be exposed no matter what the personal consequences are to the fretful narrator of the story.
Publication Date: 08/29/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Billy Hooten is a weird kid. He gets beat up a lot, and spends the rest of his time doggedly trying to build a robot. One day, Billy Hooten hears a cry for help coming from the cemetery that borders his backyard. Against his better judgment, he runs toward it. And after that, everything changes for Billy Hooten. Because Billy Hooten, you see, is Owlboy. A quickthinking, goggle-and-feather-wearing superhero who protects the bizarre and monstrous citizens of Monstros City, a city that exists under Billy's hometown of Bradbury, Massachusetts. But is Billy truly worthy of the moniker Owlboy?
Publication Date: 07/24/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: AL'S WORLD IS ABOUT TO BE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN!
Al's world revolves around school, his best friend, Keith, and... well, not much else. Al and Keith aren't what one would consider the smartest kids in school, but they do okay. Then one Monday morning while Al's waiting for the school bus, he gets blitzed by some guy in a suit. Now Al has a sore rib, an encrypted flash drive, and some very strange dudes running after him.
Al's world revolves around school, his best friend, Keith, and... well, not much else. Al and Keith aren't what one would consider the smartest kids in school, but they do okay. Then one Monday morning while Al's waiting for the school bus, he gets blitzed by some guy in a suit. Now Al has a sore rib, an encrypted flash drive, and some very strange dudes running after him.
Publication Date: 06/26/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Louis Proof is an ordinary kid.
He loves listening to hip-hop, racing radio-controlled cars, and hanging out with his best friend, Brandon. Then a mysterious letter invites him to visit the local junkyard. There he finds a secret, underground amusement park like no other in existence. This is the best day of Louis's life. The park even has the most amazing race course for radio-controlled cars. Louis starts racing right away. It's a close contest; he's about to activate his nitro boost to take the lead, when...
This is the worst day of Louis's life. Without warning or reason, thirteen-year-old Louis Proof falls into a coma due to a virus of a mysterious, celestial origin. When he awakens three months later, the world that he once knew and loved is totally out of control. He will learn that his illness is connected to everything that is wrong, and that it's not only his responsibility but his destiny to set things right.
This story is a megadramatic, remarkably true, super action fantasy. Get ready!
He loves listening to hip-hop, racing radio-controlled cars, and hanging out with his best friend, Brandon. Then a mysterious letter invites him to visit the local junkyard. There he finds a secret, underground amusement park like no other in existence. This is the best day of Louis's life. The park even has the most amazing race course for radio-controlled cars. Louis starts racing right away. It's a close contest; he's about to activate his nitro boost to take the lead, when...
This is the worst day of Louis's life. Without warning or reason, thirteen-year-old Louis Proof falls into a coma due to a virus of a mysterious, celestial origin. When he awakens three months later, the world that he once knew and loved is totally out of control. He will learn that his illness is connected to everything that is wrong, and that it's not only his responsibility but his destiny to set things right.
This story is a megadramatic, remarkably true, super action fantasy. Get ready!
Publication Date: 05/22/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: On his eleventh birthday, sad, orphaned Benjamin Bartholomew Piff accidentally adheres to all of the wishing rules—and, in wishing for the mother lode of limitless wishes, he unknowingly sets into a motion a chain of events that threatens to disrupt the balance between the magical realm of wishes and curses. Before long, Benjamin has been recruited by the Wishworks Factory director himself to fight the evil henchmen of the Curseworks Factory. In the process, Benjamin will reclaim his original wish—giving new credence to the old adage: “Be careful what you wish for . . . ”
Publication Date: 04/05/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis:
Meet Skulduggery Pleasant
Ace Detective
Snappy Dresser
Razor–tongued Wit
Crackerjack Sorcerer
and
Walking, Talking,
Fire-throwing Skeleton
—as well as ally, protector, and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and darkly talented twelve-year-old.
These two alone must defeat an all-consuming ancient evil.
The end of the world?
Over his dead body.
Publication Date: 04/03/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: The only thing more exciting than being eleven . . . is turning twelve!
Winnie Perry went through a lot when she was eleven, from shifting friendships to her teenage sister’s mood swings. But now that Winnie is twelve—and one step closer to being a teenager herself—there is so much more to deal with. Will her new friendship with Dinah last? Can she handle the pressures of junior high? And, most important, will Winnie survive bra shopping (in public!) with Mom?
Bestselling author Lauren Myracle again sharply observes a year in the life of a winning young heroine whose humor, daring, and compassion for others is infectious and unforgettable.
Publication Date: 03/15/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Wealthy landowner Don Rigol practically owns the town. To expand his coffee plantation, he will lay waste the mountain jungle and the secret valley where the ancient breed of Paso Fino horses roams wild. Can best friends Enriquito and Ernestina find a way to save the ponies, ensure justice at a trumped-up trial, and reclaim the mountain for their people? Will they rescue lost Indian treasure guarded by a mighty cayman with a golden chain around his neck?
Publication Date: 03/06/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Wanting to have a big celebration for his tenth birthday, friendless Charley invites all his classmates in the hopes of changing his luck, but when the class bully attends, the garage goes on fire, and the cake is destroyed, Charley must do something quick in order to stop his big event from becoming the biggest social debacle of the year.
Publication Date: 03/01/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Stewart Hale dreams of Space Academy and becoming a famous pilot like his mother, and like his hero Val Thorsten. But after his mother’s death, his father has forbidden any talk of Stewart going into space. And Stewart suspects there’s something that is being kept hidden from him, something they don’t want him to remember from his past.
A chance encounter with a washed-up old spacer gives Stewart an unexpected opportunity to sneak off on his own mission to the Moon. But when the old spacer’s intentions turn out to be less than honorable, Stewart realizes he hasn’t found his big breakhe’s been shanghaied!
A chance encounter with a washed-up old spacer gives Stewart an unexpected opportunity to sneak off on his own mission to the Moon. But when the old spacer’s intentions turn out to be less than honorable, Stewart realizes he hasn’t found his big breakhe’s been shanghaied!
Publication Date: 03/01/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction