Danny in a Newfangled World

Awesome New Review

// March 14th, 2012 // No Comments » // Books

I’m thrilled to have received a five-star review by a Readers Favourite Reviewer. Check it out at their website.

Here it is below:

Reviewed by Author Anna del C. Dye. for Readers Favorite

This is a very enjoyable story for kids in Kindergarten to fifth grade. It has cartoon drawings here and there to optimize visualization. The language is age appropriate, witty and fast moving. I like it because it is written in an easy English which will be a plus to help readers in the lower levels to read. The story is well-developed and interesting for kids of that age.

Danny is a computer gamer and he is good at it. The only obstacles that keep him from more mature and fun games are his parents. He thinks, breathes and eats computer games, that is until he is ten-years-old, when he decides that the games have become boring. He is ready for the next level, but his mother always says he needs to stay with the safe ones. That has stopped him many times before but not today. He is swallowed up by his computer and finds himself in a place where everything is computer games. Yes! He is now in heaven. But that is until the most ugly monster in that place threatens to eat him. Now, he not only has to play what he likes, but also win a real fight for his life. These terrors will continue until he figures out how to return safely back home to his family.

This book should relate quite well with kids who are in elementary school now. It addresses a theme that they know about and will have experienced many times in their own lives. It is clean and very enjoyable. It will make a great catch for any school or home library.

Word on the Street was an Experience

// September 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

What a day!  Sunday, I spent seven hours peddling my book to a fantastic crowd of book lovers in Toronto.  Located in a section called Writer’s Block, I had my own booth set up where I was able to meet and chat with kids, parents, and teachers who dropped by to check out what Danny in a Newfangled World is all about.

I am always happy to see my book carried off by a young reader, parent, or teacher.  It means more kids will have the opportunity to enjoy this crazy new story and potentially share it with others.  There is no better way to increase the popularity of a kids’ book than through word of mouth by someone who really loved it.

Although a lot of visitors to my booth chose not to purchase my book, I appreciate that they now know about it.  Certainly, there was no shortage of interest over the theme of the story and hopefully, they’ll remember Danny Lenesky come Christmas time when moms and dads are looking for a unique literary gift to leave under the tree.

Unfortunately, some parents looked at the cover of my book and assumed the story is written in a way to encourage their kids to play video games.  In fact, the opposite is true.  Yes, the back cover says this book is for kids who would rather be playing video games (the truth hurts, but it’s still the truth).  That’s what makes it so ironic.  With so many parents and teachers struggling to find a book that can compete with the video game console or computer, this is a perfect option.  It caters to every typical kids’ fascination with all things digital thereby encouraging them to pick up this book and read (rather than turn on the screen).

In reality, the story is actually quite metaphorical in its representation of the difficulties kids may face online.  It touches upon such important internet issues as online predators and commercialism in a funky, zany, out-of-this-world story.  Most kids will get to the end of the book, however, and not realize that there was a single lesson in the story.  And, that’s the point.  Who wants to be preached to?  Not me.  Not you.  But, a really great kids’ story helps children to make better sense of their own lives and how they fit into the greater community without making it painfully obvious.  So, let’s not pretend that the digital screen isn’t a huge, massive, ever-burgeoning part of our kids’ lives.  It is and forever will be.  Isn’t it time to find a way for the literary world to help them grapple with it?

Yup.  Read my book.

Thanks to Everyone Helping Sell My Book

// October 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

I recognize that Danny in a Newfangled World is a perfect story for today’s video gaming-online surfing-digital obssessed kids… Okay, maybe they’re not that obssessed, but you know what I mean.  Unfortunately, all the New York Literary Agents I queried didn’t agree with me.  Nor did the few publishers I queried (those few that actually open unsolicited manuscripts.)  I found it baffling that these experts in selling books couldn’t see how a middle grade book that is both a thrilling “cyber” adventure and a cautionary tale about the internet wasn’t worth investigating further.  Of course, that’s why I decided to stop wasting time trying to convince the editors and published it myself.

I have had enthusiastic feedback from so many parents and teachers about my book.  They agree that the kids’ market is ripe for this story.  A Montessori school in Oakville has even included Danny in a Newfangled World in their book fair this week.  I also had a fantastic conversation with the consignment manager at Oakville’s Chapters bookstore yesterday.  She is excited to put out a unique book that will help kids understand the internet, rather than scare kids from using the internet (’cause let’s face it… kids are going to be online whether we like it or not.)

To all those parents, teachers, kids, and bookstores who are helping bring this book to its readers… Thank you!