Press Release: February 11, 2014

Award-Winning Children’s Book Author Gary Karton to Visit Dallas


DALLAS, TX—Gary Karton author of the fanciful spirit animal adventure, The Last Akaway is set to appear at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, local schools, Barnes and Noble at Preston Royal, and Children’s Medical Center in late February.

Published by Brattle Publishing Group of Dallas Texas, The Last Akaway is the first in a trilogy by author Karton. The Last Akaway recently received a Bronze Award in the Preteen Fiction Fantasy category of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

A respected newspaper journalist, Karton currently is the Director of Communications for Safe Kids Worldwide. He is a contributor to the Huffington Post and previously wrote for the Washington Post.

“I never really thought about writing kids books until I was reading with my kids”, says Karton who lives in Arlington, VA, with his wife and sons. “My boys wanted me to write a book that was unpredictable. So I did—combining animals, special powers and having fun, all things I love.”

The Last Akaway is published by the Dallas-based Brattle Publishing Group, founded by Richard A. Lena, Managing Director. According to Lena, “The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and supports childhood literacy and life-long reading. We are excited to hear some folks saying this series could be the American Harry Potter.”

Karton’s Dallas schedule includes appearances at local schools on Thurs., Feb. 27, followed by sequences on Children’s Medical Center’s Red Balloon television network on Friday, February 28.

Public appearances will be Saturday, March 1, at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science (2201 N. Field Street) and at Barnes and Noble, Preston Royal (5959 Royal Lane, Ste. 616). Readings, Q&A and book signings at the Perot will be 9:30 am and 10:30 am as part of their new Saturday Science Bytes series. Admission to Science Bytes is free with regular museum admission. The Barnes and Noble reading and signing will be at 2:00 pm. Admission is free at the Barnes and Nobles Book Store. Books will be available at both locations and are available on Amazon.com as well as from the publisher, www.brattlepublishing.com or 1-888-596-4441.

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 threat 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.

Karton believe we all have a spirit animal. To find out yours, take the brief online test at www.brodyboondoggle.com

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. Brattle develops products using proven, research-based instruction and designs 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.

Press Contact:

mtiller@marthatiller.com
214-521-6677