If you’re visiting my site, it’s already too late. I had you at hello. Or I had you at click-through as we say in the website biz. Personally I don’t see how, if you spend some time exploring my site, you won’t just automatically click on the order button. I mean look at it. It’s sitting right there practically calling to you. Order me! Order me! Hear that?
So why should you order or read or use my books in your classroom you ask? A very good question. And there’s a very good answer which is: words. That’s right: words. My books are full of them! Words that will make readers laugh, make ‘em wonder and make some go to the dictionary to see if they’re real. Also, since I write across a broad spectrum of literature, I have written something for virtually any age or reader. Who else can say that? Stephen King? I think not. James Patterson? Hah!
If you’re looking for picture books that will ideally fit into your history or social studies curricula, this is the place. Take a moment to check out The Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen or if you’d like your students to study and understand life on the American frontier during the American Revolution, then your classroom needs a copy of Daniel Boone’s Great Escape. Daniel Boone’s Great Escape has been chosen by The Bank Street College of Education as one of the 100 Best Children’s Books published in 2008!
In 2010 America will celebrate the 150th anniversary of The Pony Express and you can help your students gain insight into this amazing bit of American history through my new picture book OFF LIKE THE WIND: The First Ride of The Pony Express, beautifully illustrated by Layne Johnson. 2010 will also mark the publication of BASEBALL FROM A to Z, a delightful and fun look at a trip through the alphabet around a day at the ballpark! Make sure you sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss out on either of these books!
If you’ve got kids in your classroom or a library craving page turning excitement, then you have to check out my Spy Goddess series (now available in a fun, peppy Manga format as well!). Your students will love spunky heroine Rachel Buchanan, who is juggling homework, saving the world and trying not to wreck her manicure. The second manga volume Spy Goddess: The Quest for the Lance lands in July 2009.
And if you don’t think your boy students will crack open Spy Goddess, (and do please remind them that there are plenty of martial arts and explosions!) then take a look at my The Youngest Templar series. The first book The Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail is available now and the second book in the series The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate appears in bookstores everywhere in October 2009. Already an international sensation The Youngest Templar follows a young squire to a Templar Knight who must return the Holy Grail safely to England. Along the way there are plenty of narrow escapes, evil doers on his trail, sword fights and all other sorts of cool stuff. We post new excerpts to each book on a regular basis so check back often for details!
Let me close by saying two important things. First, thank all of you for supporting me and encouraging your students to read my books. Your outreach to my readers is invaluable. Second, did you know that most places will give you free shipping if you order more than $25 worth of books?
I’m just saying.
Best,
Michael P. Spradlin
Are you studying the American frontier in your social studies curriculum? Are you looking for fun, exciting books that will actually keep your kids silent during silent reading? Then look no further. Whether it’s picture books telling exciting true stories from American History or an action-adventure novel that will keep kids turning the pages, check out Michael’s catalog for books that will appeal to someone if not everyone you know!
If you are a school or library and want to order either individual or multiple copies of my books, please know that almost all major library jobbers and educational wholesalers carry them, including Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Follet, and Mackin Library Services.
If you would like to contact the publisher directly for ordering information, please follow these handy links:
The Legend of Blue Jacket
Spy Goddess Series
www.harpercollins.com
Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen
Daniel Boone's Great Escape
www.walkeryoungreaders.com
The Youngest Templar
www.penguin.com
Beyond their entertainment value several of Michael’s books have also been used in various curriculums. See below for a complete list.
Accelerated reader titles
Spy
Goddess: Live and Let Shop
The
Legend of Blue Jacket
Books used in curriculums, or excerpted in textbooks
The
Legend of Blue Jacket excerpted in McGraw-Hills 2008 edition 4th
Grade Social Studies Text.
- Printable Booklist
- The Youngest Templar: Orphan of Destiny Hidden Messages Word Search
- The Youngest Templar: Orphan of Destiny Crossword Puzzle
- The Youngest Templar map
- The Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail Reading Guide
- The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate Reading Guide
- The Youngest Templar: Orphan of Destiny Reading Guide
- Baseball from A to Z Reading Guide
- Off Like the Wind! The First Ride of the Pony Express Reading Guide
- Daniel Boone's Great Escape Reading Guide
- Texas Rangers Reading Guide
- Legend of Blue Jacket Reading Guide
These
books have received the following awards and honors.
Off Like the Wind! The First Ride of the Pony Express
- Bank Street College of Education Best Books for 2010 List
- 2011 Best Juvenile Book Western Heritage Award from The National Cowboy Hall Of Fame & Museum in Oklahoma City
- Best Books List 2011, The National Council of Social Studies and The Children's Book Council
- State Reading Lists: Vermont, Maine, Alabama, Missouri
- Finalist for Spur Award, Western Writers of America
- Bank Street College of Education 100 Best Books of 2008 List
- 2006 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award Nomination for Best Young Adult Mystery
- 2006 New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age Master List
- 2006 American Library Association Popular Paperbacks Pick of the Lists
- 2006-2007 Georgia State Book Award Nominee
- 2006-2007 Georgia State Book Award Nominee