Fantasy Book Critic: Upcoming Releases: “The Book of Nonsense” by David Michael Slater

“The Book of Nonsense” by David Michael Slater. Release Date: October 14, 2008. Published by Blooming Tree Press/CBAY.

“The Book of Nonsense”, Volume One of the Sacred Book series, already included in the Association of Booksellers for Children's Best Books of 2008, will be released by Blooming Tree Press/CBAY. The series is certain to explode notions of “Teen Lit,” by venturing boldly into “Da Vinci Code” territory. The publisher expects a firestorm by the time Volume Three reaches shelves in 2010. The web is already abuzz with talk about film deals and book banning:

The book is ancient, ravaged and full of utter nonsense. But the moment it enters Daphna and Dexter's lives, bizarre things begin to happen. Why is their father, who found the book, suddenly so distant? Is the old man who took it from him some kind of hypnotist? Why is a giant, red-eyed boy menacing them? And what does their thirteenth birthday have to do with all this? Daphna and Dexter can't stand each other, but they'll have to work together to learn the truth about the Book of Nonsense—before their lives come apart completely…

Twin protagonists, Daphna and Dexter, illustrate the books’ two-fold appeal. Readers with Daphna's passionate literary sensibilities will be rewarded by the depth of Slater's writing. Riddled with enough mysterious clues and allusions to keep the most research-obsessed reader engaged, the Sacred Books series provides intellectual thrills all throughout the completed five-book series. For those preferring action to contemplation, like Dex, “The Book of Nonsense” rivets even the most reluctant reader to the page with its dark and suspenseful plot, its horrifying villains and its insider's view of the life of real teens. The incendiary Sacred Books series will continue with “The Infinite”, “The Library”, “The Book of the Map”, and “The Book of All Things”.

About the Author:

David Michael Slater has won many awards for his beloved picture books, including Cheese Louise!, The Ring Bear, and Flour Girl. In December, “Selfless” his first novel for adults will be published. His film, “Mocha Cola High”, is currently in development with Right Angle Pictures. David teaches middle school in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife and son.