Pencils Down and H20.
Both books take place in Canby Falls, a small all-American city. Tony Mattson, a rising eighth grader, is the main character.
The market for the books would be bookstores, public libraries, and private, independent, parochial, elementary, middle school libraries. Also,
H20 will be a good selection for book fairs and book clubs in these settings.
H20 is a summer adventure of fun, service and success that begins with desperate cries of "Help, Help! Please, someone help me." The cries came early one morning in June. Two neighbors respond to find Lex, a friend and overnight guest of Tony Mattson, the main character of H20.
When asked what he was doing in that area by himself, Lex responded that he was looking for the Indian Footprint that Tony's father told them about the night before. After surgery and during a short visit at the hospital, Tony told Lex that the Indian Footprint was only a legend that Tony's father heard when he was a Scout.
Tony became involved with Scout and church projects when his father, Joseph, who is Scoutmaster, makes plans with a church committee to assist the elderly with a fund raiser for medical expenses and for minor home repairs. These projects provide new and different fun and worthwhile activities for Tony, the Scouts and men of the church.
A totally unexpected thing happens when Tony is approached about joining the Canby Falls swim team. After talking with his parents, he joins in the fun, hard work on skills, and in a surprise move, Tony substitutes for a long-time member at the County Championship Swim Meet. What an exciting time to be a member of this outstanding group!
H20 ends with a surprise to celebrate the success of the Canby Falls swim team with Mr. Moses, a family friend, in attendance. What an exciting, memorable and eventful summer of fun and service for Tony Mattson!
If you have had the opportunities to know and work with ten-year-olds, you will recognize the main character, Tony, and his friend Brent, in this fiction book, Pencils Down. They are believable, curious, impulsive, adventurous, compassionate, and have the desire to achieve.
Pencils Down begins the last day of school with Tony and Brent talking about designs for a racer for the Boy Scout Derby. It continues with the boys' curiosity when they see an old roadbed that leads into the thick wooded area. A frightening adventure takes place that ends at the rundown house where they discover an old man who was both blind and deaf. Tony's compassion and his father's interest force them to seek the help that relocates and rehabilitates the old man beyond expectations. Tony's new friend becomes an important part of this family's summer activities. The story ending is exciting and fun at the Boy Scout Derby in September.
Pencils Down is an engaging novel exploring the wonder and joy of childhood. It follows students of Canby Falls Elementary School through an adventurous summer of personal growth. Tony Mattson and his friends conquer their fears, explore strange new places, and learn about the thrills of competition as they solidify their friendships as a testament to the familiar nature of small town America.
"I've read and reread Pencils Down and am impressed not only with your story line, but with your ability to target a special age group. While offering them an opportunity to reach a bit in both their reading skills and life experiences, and I do mean real life!
There are ample supplies of fairy tales and make believe works out there, but a definite lack of availability in such realistic family and community related story lines.
Can't wait to read the next one.".................. Jane C.
"I am being overrun with requests for Pencils Down. I have at least ten holds on it!! We now have four copies and they are going like hotcakes.".................. Harriet Good, Media Specialist, Lesslie Elementary School
"Just wanted to thank you for your enjoyable and informative visit to Mr. Merell's fourth grade class.
After you left, I read some more of Pencils Down to them. Time ran out and they were looking forward to hearing the rest this week. Your book was very interesting to them. Congratulations,"..................Marian, Substitute Teacher
