This just in: Ramp Rats named to the Resource Links Best of List for 2008! This is very cool news for a couple of reasons. First, it’s always nice to have your work linked with the word “best” and second, it’s another sign that educators and book people are welcoming graphic novels into the realm of “stuff that is good for young readers.” Included in the list are some really good titles from fantastic Canadian authors. I’m honoured to included.
I say it’s another sign, because the first book in the Graphic Guide Adventure series, Wild Ride, is nominated for the 2009 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award. This isn’t new news, but it is to my knowledge the first time a graphic novel has been nominated for one of the “Tree Awards” (Silver Birch in Ontario and more varieties in other provinces.) Sequential art FTW!
Apologies for the lame post title and for the long silence of updates around here. My new career as a an elementary teacher is keeping me busier than ever. But that’s not stopping word getting around about the latest book in the Graphic Guide Adventure series: Ramp Rats.
Published in October, it’s receiving great reviews from places like Canadian Materials Magazine who have this to say:
Ramp Rats is a fun graphic novel with a unique storyline which incorporates many attractive features for many types of readers. The characters are believable and well-developed, while the situations are so common that most readers will be able to identify with many of them. Combined with a lot of useful information about skating, as well as helpful guidance about bullying, Ramp Rats is a worthwhile read for young readers.
The September 15 issue of ALA Booklist also thought Ramp Rats was a winner:
Aside from the action-packed story, great characters, and colorful artwork, this graphic novel adventure includes an array of practical skateboarding tips for beginners. The story also delivers a deft message about standing up to bullies as it depicts Benny’s growing determination and self-confidence.
Very happy that Marcus and the Ramp Rats crew are being welcomed onto the kids book scene both in Canada and the US. All the Graphic Guide Adventure books are available at your local book store or online at the Orca Book Publisher website.
[via feedingchange] Ok, so here’s how it goes: Writer announces that he’s delving into World of Warcraft, purely for research purposes 
and doesn’t blog for nearly a month. A classic case of gamer widowhood? Not really (honest!) I have been busy and there is much to report. For instance:
Wild Ride has gone into its second printing AND has been picked up by the Scholastic Book Club for the 2008/09 school year. Very cool. This is first time any of my books have gone into a second printing and it’s completely due to my fantastic publisher, Orca Book Publishers, and their even more fantastic connections in the USA.
Read the rest of the news at my blog: feedingchange.
Okay, not the entire weekend. But Book Expo Canada is here and I’ll be out tonight at the CCBC Children’s Gala, (which I’ve stated before, is neither for children or a gala, but is always fun) schmoozing with fellow writers and editors who I normally only email with.
Tomorrow, I’ll be signing advanced copies of the latest title in the Graphic Guide Adventures series: Ramp Rats, with my good friends at Orca Book Publishers. I’ll at their booth from 2pm until around 2:30ish. So, if you’re in the Metro Convention Centre and want to learn how to pull a stalefish grab, come see me and I’ll get you sorted.
