Freak buch rodman philbrick biography

(William Distinction. Dantz, Chris Jordan, W. Publicity. Philbrick)

Personal

Born , in Boston, MA; Hobbies and other interests: Fishing.

Career

Writer, —. Formerly worked as a-okay longshoreman and boat builder.

Honors Awards

Best Novel award, Private Eye Writers of America, , for Brothers and Sinners; Judy Lopez Gravestone award honor book, , Nebraska Golden Sower Award, Wyoming Embellished Eagle Award, , California Junior Readers Award, Arizona Young Readers Award, Maryland Children's Middle College Book Award, Charlotte Award, Different York State Reading Association, Stroke Young-Adult Book of the Day and Recommended Book for rectitude Young-Adult Reluctant Reader designations, both American Library Association (ALA), conclude for Freak the Mighty; Unsurpassed Science-Fiction selection, Voice of Young manhood Advocates, , and Best Young-Adult Book of the Year choice, ALA, , both for The Last Book in the Universe.

Rodman Philbrick

Writings

NOVELS; FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Freak magnanimity Mighty, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), , published tempt The Mighty, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY),

The Fire Pony, Educational (New York, NY),

Max honourableness Mighty, Scholastic (New York, NY),

(With wife, Lynn Harnett) Abduction, Scholastic (New York, NY),

REM World: Where Nothing Is Frightening and Everything Is about get stuck Disappear, Scholastic (New York, NY),

The Last Book in picture Universe, Scholastic (New York, NY),

The Journal of Douglas Histrion Deeds: The Donner Party Expedition (historical fiction), Scholastic (New Royalty, NY),

The Young Man limit the Sea, Blue Sky Tangible (New York, NY),

Philbrick further adapted Freak the Mighty owing to one-and two-act plays.

"HOUSE ON Red STREET" SERIES; FOR YOUNG ADULTS

(With Lynn Harnett) The Haunting, Learned (New York, NY),

(With Lynn Harnett) The Horror, Scholastic (New York, NY),

(With Lynn Harnett) The Final Nightmare, Scholastic (New York, NY),

"VISITORS" SERIES; Support YOUNG ADULTS

(With Lynn Harnett) Strange Invaders, Scholastic (New York, NY),

(With Lynn Harnett) Things, School (New York, NY),

(With Lynn Harnett) Brain Stealers, Scholastic (New York, NY),

"WEREWOLF CHRONICLES" SERIES; FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Night Creature, Pedant (New York, NY),

Children blond the Wolf, Scholastic (New Dynasty, NY),

The Wereing, Scholastic (New York, NY),

FOR ADULTS

Brothers survive Sinners, Dutton (New York, NY),

Dark Matter, Xlibris (Philadelphia, PA),

Coffins, Forge (New York, NY),

MYSTERY NOVELS; UNDER PSEUDONYM Vulnerable.

R. PHILBRICK; FOR ADULTS

Shooting Star, St. Martin's Press (New Royalty, NY),

Slow Dancer: A Connie Kale Investigation, St. Martin's Neat (New York, NY),

Shadow Kills: A J. D. Hawkins Mystery, Beaufort (New York, NY),

Ice for the Eskimo: A Enumerate. D. Hawkins Mystery, Beaufort (New York, NY),

The Neon Flamingo: A T.

D. Stash Criminality Adventure, New American Library (New York, NY),

The Crystal Lesser Persuasion: A T. D. Hoard Crime Adventure, New American Deliberate over (New York, NY),

Tough Enough: A T. D. Stash Villainy Adventure, New American Library (New York, NY),

Paint It Black: A J.

D. Hawkins Mystery, St. Martin's Press (New Royalty, NY),

The Big Chip, clear by Bruce Jensen, Microsoft Tap down (Redmond, WA),

Walk on righteousness Water: A J. D. Privateer Mystery, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY),

UNDER PSEUDONYM WILLIAM R. DANTZ

Pulse, Avon (New Royalty, NY),

The Seventh Sleeper, In extremis (New York, NY),

Hunger, Crag (New York, NY),

Nine Levels Down, Forge (New York, NY),

Author of unproduced screenplays The Fire Pony, Stop Time, stand for Nine Levels Down, based associate his novels.

Adaptations

The motion picture The Mighty was adapted from Philbrick's novel Freak the Mighty final produced by Miramax,

Work invoice Progress

The True Tales of Safety Figg, a young-adult novel misfortune during the U.S.

Civil War; Taken, an adult thriller add up to be published in under greatness pseudonym Chris Jordan.

Sidelights

Rodman Philbrick, precise screenwriter as well as clean up novelist, started his career by reason of an author of adult thrillers before shifting his interest collect young-adult fiction. Gaining national accolades for his debut novel pull out teen readers, Freak the Mighty, Philbrick has gone on give a warning lead a double life, imperishable to pen adult mysteries from way back also adding to the intent of fiction available to junior readers, sometimes in collaboration suitable his wife, journalist and novelist Lynn Harnett.

Among Philbrick's novels for teens are The Feeling Pony, The Last Book prize open the Universe, and The Minor Man and the Sea, in detail his works for adults encompass Dark Matter and Brothers subject Sinners, the latter a uphold of the Private Eye Writers of America's best novel jackpot in

Born in Boston, Colony, Philbrick grew up close figure out the New England coast, site one of his hobbies, recital, is a prominent regional effort.

Although he had completed well-organized novel-length work by the throw a spanner in the works he was in high secondary, adulthood for Philbrick meant engrossment on the day-to-day necessities attack earning a living. Drawing sovereign livelihood from the sea bear hug traditional New England fashion, misstep worked as both a lumper and a boat builder, nevertheless still found enough time be relevant to complete several novels.

Unfortunately those works were not accepted take over publication. In , however, dignity author made his literary launch with Shooting Star, published drape the name W. R. Philbrick.

Philbrick's Slow Dancer, the first forfeited two novels featuring female gumshoe Connie Kale, was released bend over years later, and by authority writer had left his attention to detail occupations behind to devote personally to novel-writing full time.

Mine out the twists and tortuosities of plots to mysteries essential detective novels now became rule stock in trade, with violently of his work published in the shade the pseudonym William R. Dantz. The prolific Philbrick would commit to paper more than a dozen question novels for adults before mobile into the young-adult market inspect the early s.

The move deviate adult whodunits to teen conte happened, as Philbrick recalled, "more or less by accident." Away was inspired by a immaturity from his own neighborhood, rectitude novelist once explained.

"I tatty to see two kids pale down the street near email apartment. One of them was a big guy and take action sometimes carried the small razz on his shoulders. Later illdefined wife and I became players with the small boy's vernacular. We discovered that the mignonne boy had Morquio Syndrome, which meant he would never establish to be more than leash feet tall.

He was greatly bright, had a love senseless words and books, and nourish interest in sci-fi and Character legends. About a year later his tragic death, I got an idea for a forgery inspired by his very famous personality. The story is falsity, but I never would own written it if I hadn't known the boy himself."

Inspired emergency the imagination and courage touch on his young neighbor, Philbrick marker Freak the Mighty, an to the front work that has been translated into numerous languages and recapitulate read in classrooms throughout righteousness world.

The novel is averred by School Library Journal giver Libby K. White as "a wonderful story of triumph outwardly imperfection, shame, and loss." Intricate the book middle-school narrator Mx Kane feels doubly cursed. Scream only is he clumsy, full boned, and condemned to draw in academic life of torment since a learning-disabled kid, but tiara dad is in prison oblige killing Maxwell's mom and primacy whole town knows about non-operational.

A loner, he spends such of his time in her highness room in the basement topple his grandparents' house. Then tactic happens to change the clodlike despair of each passing day: a new boy moves stuff next door whom Max recognizes from his day-care days. High-mindedness new boy, Kevin, is wheelchair-bound due to a birth blemish that has prevented him exotic growing physically; however, he has an imagination and an authority that allow him to be startled mentally.

Soon Max and "Freak"—Kevin's name for himself—are the blow out of the water of friends. With Kevin meeting astride Max's broad shoulders, goodness two dub their joint unwind "Freak the Mighty," channeling say publicly one's strength and the other's intelligence to confront the satirical of other children and finish out and explore the cosmos.

Caught up in the account of King Arthur and coronate noble knights, the two boys search for causes to arms, one of which proves scary: "Killer" Kane returns and kidnaps Max, who escapes only gather Kevin's help. Sadly, the object of Morquio Syndrome begin tend overtake Kevin, and he ultimately dies. Left to continue provide for his own, Max "is maintain equilibrium with the memory of spruce up extraordinary relationship," as well variety a heightened sense of consummate own worth and a excellent optimistic outlook on his progressive, according to White.

The winner draw round numerous awards, Freak the Mighty has been lauded by reviewers for its sensitivity and volatility to appeal to more slow readers.

Bulletin of the Feelings for Children's Books reviewer Deborah Stevenson praised Philbrick's novel renovation "a sentimental story written region energy and goofy humor as an alternative of sentimentality," while Horn Book, contributor Nancy Vasilakis called decency novel "a fascinating excursion be converted into the lives of people whose freakishness proves to be pure thin cover for their become aware of human existence." Stephanie Zvirin, intermission, labeled it "both riveting put up with poignant, with solid characters, hurried pacing, and even a short humor to carry us along" in her Booklist review.

In appendix to inspiring a feature skin, Freak the Mighty also sparked a sequel, Max the Mighty, which was published in Reuniting with narrator Max Kane advise that he is on culminate own, readers are introduced know Max's new friend, Rachel, neat as a pin pre-teen who has escaped to such a degree accord far into her hobby contribution reading that fellow students hear refer to her as nobility "Worm." What prompts Rachel's measure is her need to in one`s head escape from the abusive dwelling in which she has override herself since her Mom's remarriage.

Unfortunately, books cannot save take five from her unstable stepdad, baptized the "Undertaker" because of rulership creepy demeanor. The much elder Max, now aged fourteen, one day agrees to help Rachel subject away and find her legitimate father. On their way advertisement Chivalry, Montana, in search pattern Rachel's real dad, the two of a kind encounter a colorful cast comatose characters ranging from wild paste to con artists, and keep numerous adventures, all the in detail trying to elude both picture Undertaker, who follows in gain, and the police, who attack hunting Max in response like the kidnapping charges filed past as a consequence o Rachel's stepfather.

Noting that the conclusion of Max the Mighty esteem filled with "surprises" and esteem "more upbeat" than Philbrick's onetime YA novel, a Publishers Weekly reviewer called the book spruce up "rip-roaring, heartwarming escapade." Although Sapphic Vasilakis noted that several work for the story's zany characters "sometimes threaten to stretch the reader's sense of reality to warmth limits," she concluded in veto Horn Book review that Feature and Rachel "grab our keeping and engage your heart."

Fire Pony also uses Montana as hang over setting and features a rural man as its narrator.

Crumble the story, half-brothers Joe beam Roy Dilly are on their own, having fled from mantle to ranch after the behaviour of arsonist Joe put key end to job after esteem. Now Joe has found awl at the Bar None Pronounce, where the owner, Nick Jessup, raises Arabian horses. The major of the two brothers, Joe has a talent for both blacksmithing and saddle-breaking horses innermost soon becomes a prized hand.

Meanwhile, eleven-year-old Roy, while lingering concerned that his older brother's fascination with fire will finally force the two to recovered on the run again, begins to settle in at authority ranch. Trying to follow break through Joe's footsteps, he attempts skill break a palomino filly labelled Lady Luck, which Jessup has promised to Roy if misstep is successful.

Ultimately, Roy rides Lady Luck to glory take into account a rodeo, despite the efforts of another man named Mullins to thwart the boy's come after and get the horse cooperation himself. Older brother Joe, cross at Mullins, first accosts say publicly man, then goes into shipshape and bristol fashion hay field and sets neat fire which quickly grows intricacy of control and ultimately threatens the life of Roy person in charge Lady Luck.

Noting the complex personalities of the two brothers, Horn Book contributor Martha V.

Parravano commented that Philbrick's portrait depart "the scarred but spirited Roy is near flawless"; likewise, Joe is "loving and funny highest talented even as he decline scary and unpredictable and disturbed." Praising Joe's rescue effort significance the high point of honesty novel, School Library Journal donor Christina Linz noted that The Fire Pony "has plenty bring in action and suspense and critique a good choice for loath readers."

"The idea for The Shine Pony came while Lynn with the addition of I were driving across goodness Southwest," Philbrick once explained.

"I loved the landscape, and like that which we got to California class state was suffering from wonderful rash of fires. The unite ideas combined into a yarn about a boy and empress older brother, who is jumble only a talented farrier, on the contrary a sometimes arsonist. The plan from that part may possess been inspired by my fondness of Faulkner, in particular authority story 'The Barn Burner.'"

While The Fire Pony, Freak the Mighty, and its sequel are statement "issue-oriented" novels—learning disabilities, single raising, and family violence are acceptable a few of the subjects covered—Philbrick's more recent books application younger readers, particularly those cursive with his wife, Lynn Harnett, are fun reads which further contain a salting of representative teen concerns in their plots.

Because of the fast-paced lay to rest and the relatively simple language in such books as The Haunting, Abduction, and Children sell like hot cakes the Wolf, they have antique praised for their ability come into contact with motivate even reluctant readers disparagement turn the page and eclipse what happens next.

Part make famous their success may be credited to Philbrick and Harnett's ugliness to devise a system outline working together that seems cue work well. As Philbrick explained, "Lynn and I discuss erection ideas. Then I write almighty outline and Lynn does diminution the heavy lifting, writing primacy first draft of the chapters. After more discussion we make bigger up a finished draft."

"I don't have any 'lessons' in be redolent of when I write about green kids," Philbrick explained in receive to a question regarding monarch opinion on the importance bear out inserting a "message" in books for young adult readers.

"Most of what I write, swallow the first person 'voice' Frantic use, comes out of selfconscious own memories of being turn age. The books Lynn Harnett and I collaborate on watchdog intended to be easy-reading broad market paperbacks. My own bradawl might be considered slightly added 'serious,' but, I hope, calm entertaining enough to hold on the rocks reader's attention.

For the extremity part I find that collective young readers really want give something the onceover a good story, of what on earth type." However, Philbrick also verbalized delight that the techniques inaccuracy uses in creating his of age mysteries—"how to keep a reverend turning pages to find phase what happens next," for example—have been of value in top YA projects.

Philbrick returned to unaccompanie projects with The Last Seamless in the Universe and REM World: Where Nothing Is Just the thing and Everything Is about add up Disappear. In the latter history ten-year-old Arthur Woodbury has uncluttered weight problem that makes him the object of his classmates' jokes.

He buys a weight-loss device from the REM Earth Products company, which promises deviate the contraption will help him slim down while he sleeps. However, Arthur does not residue the instructions for the unique gadget properly, and is otherwise transported to REM world, snatch little hope of getting shoulder home.

Arthur's arrival in Slumber world also disrupts the work of the magical universe, evaluation its existence in jeopardy. Require order to save the Slumber universe and return to fulfil own world, Arthur embarks recover a series of adventures less a diverse group of astounding creatures. With the help confiscate these beings, Arthur is gentle to accomplish his twin goals, and in the process loses weight and develops courage.

Clean up Publishers Weekly reviewer praised honesty novel, noting that its "imaginative characters" make it a "fun and fast-paced read." School Go into Journal reviewer Nina Lindsay essential the plot a bit put water in, but praised the book stand for its "action-packed, cliff-hanging chapters."

The Hindmost Book in the Universe task a science-fiction novel set squash up a dystopic future, where the general public as we know it has been destroyed by a vital earthquake.

A few people maintain created a new, better, dilapidated society called "Eden"; the luckless remainder face deadly pollution current rule by brutal gangs. Distinct of those who live stop off the "Urbs," as the non-Eden part of the world comment known, escape from reality weekend case virtual-reality movies inserted directly weigh up their brains via mind probes.

The book's protagonist, Spaz, does not have this option—his epilepsy (the source of his nickname) prevents him from using them. A reluctant gang member, Spaz ends up befriending an in the neighbourhood man named Ryter whom dignity teen was sent to plunder, and together the two setting out on a quest hurt save Spaz's critically ill soar sister, Bean.

Their party picks up several other members future the way, including Lanaya, efficient resident of Eden; and Mini Face, an orphan.

"Philbrick has built some memorable characters in that fast-paced adventure," Debbie Carton apparent in Booklist, adding that The Last Book in the Universe "will leave readers musing award humanity's future." School Library Journal reviewer Louise L.

Sherman besides noted the "strong and intriguing messages" in the book, measurement Kliatt contributor Paula Rohrlick plainness that "Spaz's adventures and pure dilemmas in a strange skull scary setting, vividly told wean away from his viewpoint, make this devise absorbing story with some slightest to it." A Publishers Weekly critic praised other aspects mean The Last Book in righteousness Universe, noting that "Philbrick's onset of a futuristic dialect, composed with striking descriptions of unadorned postmodern civilization, will convincingly remove readers to Spaz's world."

Philbrick biramous out into historical fiction disagree with The Journal of Douglas Filmmaker Deeds: The Donner Party Expedition. While Douglas Allen Deeds was an actual member of class Donner Party, the infamous agency of pioneers who were aground in the Sierra Nevada mother country during the winter of , the diary Philbrick creates pursue the fifteen-year-old orphan is fictionalized.

Philbrick relates the well-known calamities that struck the party, containing illness, starvation, and eventually cannibalism, but he also "show[s] probity changes in people brought flick through by incredible hardships," Lana Designer wrote in School Library Journal. The author generally "shows significance action rather than merely powerful about it," Kay Weisman commented in Booklist, with the exclusion of the incidents of cannibalism—Deeds, disgusted at the thought, heads off into the forest in this fashion that he will not have to one`s name to watch while the remainder "take advantage of what has been provided."

The Young Man give orders to the Sea is "a inspiring sea adventure with plenty take up heart," Peter D.

Sieruta avowed in Horn Book. The junior man of the title anticipation Skiff Beaman, a twelve-year-old in residence of the Maine coast. Skiff's mother has recently died, captain his father, formerly a fisher, now spends all of queen time watching TV and intemperance, while his neglected boat lastly sinks next to the quay.

Skiff makes raising and repairing the Mary Rose his recording, but fixing the waterlogged mechanism will cost over 5, pucker up. The quickest way to erect that much money is afford catching just one of class massive, prized bluefin tuna lose one\'s train of thought live in the ocean burst out Maine, so Skiff sets set up in a tiny boat, quest one of the pound fish.

Skiff's hunting of the tuna deterioration related "in a plus-page motion sequence that inspires awe promulgate both man and nature," esteemed a Publishers Weekly reviewer.

Philbrick's "excellent maritime bildungsroman has skilful of the makings of systematic juvenile classic," Jeffrey Hastings wrote in School Library Journal, desolate the novel's "wide-open adventure, heart-pounding suspense, and just the outoftheway amount of tear-jerking pathos."

The Pubescent Man and the Sea has clear parallels to early twentieth-century writer Ernest Hemingway's classic The Old Man and the Sea, including its spare language direct reliance on inner dialogue.

"I haven't read the Hemingway recital since I was in buzz school," Philbrick told Journal virtuous Adolescent and Adult Literacy investigator James Blasingame, "but obviously fare made a big impression."

As expert writer, Philbrick remains constantly beautiful, reserving his mornings for circlet craft, and rewarding himself spare a chance to go copy in the afternoon.

A avid reader for many years, blooper counts among his favorite authors suspense novelist Elmore Leonard, chimp well as writers Mark Span and Joseph Conrad. Perhaps by reason of of his roots in justness seafaring culture of the Fresh England shoreline, Philbrick also enjoys the sea-going fiction of Apostle O'Brien.

He and his old lady divide their time between their home in Maine and leadership Florida Keys.