DALLAS, TX–“The Last Akaway”, published by Brattle Publishing Group of Dallas Texas, has won a Bronze Award in the Preteen Fiction Fantasy category of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. The award will be presented November 9th at the Traverse City Children’s Book Festival, traverse City, Michigan. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition for the first in a trilogy by author Gary Karton” said Richard A. Lena, Founder and Managing Director of Brattle Publishing Group. The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and support childhood literacy and life-long reading.
The Awards recognize and reward the best of these books and bring them to the attention of parents, booksellers, librarians – and to children themselves. Synopsis In “The Last Akaway”, Brody Boondoggle and his big brother, Jake, see things very differently. Eleven-year-old Brody believes in special powers and spirit animals and all the extraordinary energy in the world that can lead to magical adventures. Twelve-year-old Jake doesn’t. He is sensible and realistic. He likes the certainty of video games, and believes only what he can see. Unfortunately, that doesn’t include the magical Akaway, wounded by the quirky video game creator Uncle Skeeta. The evil gamer sees the Akaway as a major treat to his empire and devises a scheme to destroy the Akaway. But the two brothers, guided by their quirky grandmother, finally agree to work together in a quest to save the last Akaway and preserve the creative powers of children everywhere.
About The Author “The Last Akaway”, authored by Gary Karton is the author’s second publication. In addition to being a respected newspaper journalist, he is currently the Director of Communications for Safe Kids Worldwide and is a contributor to the Huffington Post. Moira E. McLaughlin of the Washington Post writes that Karton said “I never really thought about writing kids books until I was reading with my kids”. Karton lives in Arlington, VA with his wife and sons. He says, his boys wanted him to write a book that was unpredictable. So he did. “I’m just going to write a book that I would really like,” Karton recalled thinking. “I love animals. I love special powers, and I love having fun.” Reviews: The Kirkus Review and as reported in the Washington Post: ”A funny, engaging YA adventure with an important lesson. What happens after an encounter with the Akaway is a spirited journey of self-discovery and a celebration of childish imagination as well as an exploration of kids resourcefulness and inherent goodness. Important though far from didactic, teaching moments abound, wrapped in exciting descriptions and incorporated easily and naturally into the story. Author Karton has an ear finely tuned to the rhythms and sweet absurdities of childhood patter, and his tale has enough fabulous twists and turn to keep even the most grown-up young adult intrigued. While the writing falls in the well-plumbed tradition of adventure tales—readers will recognize a number of fondly made references—the villain and resolution are wonderfully original. Adults reading to children will also delight in the wholesomely irreverent tone and moment of linguistic fancy.
A refreshingly imaginative, emotionally satisfying quest for all ages. Maria Beltran for Readers’ Favorite: The author successfully creates a magical world that children will truly love. Gary Karton knows how to tell his story not only to children but also to young adults while preventing boredom. The adventure of Brody, his brother Jake, and Grammy is not about fun, but it provides a wonderful message of love and friendship. “The Last Akaway” and the entire magical world is fresh and wonderfully written. Thumbs up to the author!”
Brattle Publishing Group Brattle Publishing Group publishes print and digital materials that inspire literacy and life-long learning. They develop products using proven, research-based instruction and design that are sure to inspire, motivate, educate and entertain people of all ages.
To order “The Last Akaway” and other Brody products visit the website, www.brattlepublishingstore.com or www.brodyboondoggle.com. Telephone: 1-888-596-4441. The book also is available on www.amazon.com
