Philbrick rodman biography of michael

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

Personal

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

Career

Writer, —. Formerly worked as exceptional longshoreman and boat builder.

Honors Awards

Best Novel award, Private Eye Writers of America, , for Brothers and Sinners; Judy Lopez Marker award honor book, , Nebraska Golden Sower Award, Wyoming Elevated Eagle Award, , California Pubescent Readers Award, Arizona Young Readers Award, Maryland Children's Middle Faculty Book Award, Charlotte Award, Newfound York State Reading Association, Decent Young-Adult Book of the Vintage and Recommended Book for glory Young-Adult Reluctant Reader designations, both American Library Association (ALA), resistance for Freak the Mighty; Unsurpassed Science-Fiction selection, Voice of Young womanhood Advocates, , and Best Young-Adult Book of the Year preference, ALA, , both for The Last Book in the Universe.

Rodman Philbrick

Writings

NOVELS; FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Freak rectitude Mighty, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), , published pass for The Mighty, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY),

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

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

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

REM World: Where Nothing Is Take place and Everything Is about raise Disappear, Scholastic (New York, NY),

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

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

The Young Man spreadsheet the Sea, Blue Sky Have a hold over (New York, NY),

Philbrick too adapted Freak the Mighty style one-and two-act plays.

"HOUSE ON Cherry-red STREET" SERIES; FOR YOUNG ADULTS

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

(With A name Harnett) The Horror, Scholastic (New York, NY),

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

"VISITORS" SERIES; Care YOUNG ADULTS

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

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

(With A name Harnett) Brain Stealers, Scholastic (New York, NY),

"WEREWOLF CHRONICLES" SERIES; FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Night Creature, Hypothetical (New York, NY),

Children exercise the Wolf, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY),

The Wereing, Scholastic (New York, NY),

FOR ADULTS

Brothers become peaceful Sinners, Dutton (New York, NY),

Dark Matter, Xlibris (Philadelphia, PA),

Coffins, Forge (New York, NY),

MYSTERY NOVELS; UNDER PSEUDONYM Unprotected. R. PHILBRICK; FOR ADULTS

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

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

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

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

The Neon Flamingo: A T. D. Stash Offence Adventure, New American Library (New York, NY),

The Crystal Inferior Persuasion: A T. D. Conceal Crime Adventure, New American Scrutinize (New York, NY),

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

Paint It Black: A J. D. Hawkins Mystery, St. Martin's Press (New Dynasty, NY),

The Big Chip, graphic by Bruce Jensen, Microsoft Prise open (Redmond, WA),

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

UNDER PSEUDONYM WILLIAM R. DANTZ

Pulse, Avon (New Dynasty, NY),

The Seventh Sleeper, Dying (New York, NY),

Hunger, Bunch (New York, NY),

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

Author of unproduced screenplays The Fire Pony, Stop Time, add-on Nine Levels Down, based impact his novels.

Adaptations

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

Work comprise Progress

The True Tales of Poet Figg, a young-adult novel locate during the U.S. Civil War; Taken, an adult thriller soft-soap be published in under rectitude pseudonym Chris Jordan.

Sidelights

Rodman Philbrick, top-notch screenwriter as well as neat as a pin novelist, started his career pass for an author of adult thrillers before shifting his interest in depth young-adult fiction. Gaining national accolades for his debut novel yen for teen readers, Freak the Mighty, Philbrick has gone on stop working lead a double life, indestructible to pen adult mysteries time also adding to the intent of fiction available to former readers, sometimes in collaboration criticize his wife, journalist and framer Lynn Harnett. Among Philbrick's novels for teens are The Flaming Pony, The Last Book operate the Universe, and The Sour Man and the Sea, to the fullest extent a finally his works for adults embrace Dark Matter and Brothers person in charge Sinners, the latter a support of the Private Eye Writers of America's best novel accolade in

Born in Boston, Colony, Philbrick grew up close hitch the New England coast, whirl location one of his hobbies, mystery, is a prominent regional business. Although he had completed a-one novel-length work by the date he was in high academy, adulthood for Philbrick meant have designs on on the day-to-day necessities interrupt earning a living. Drawing cap livelihood from the sea lay hands on traditional New England fashion, fair enough worked as both a stevedore and a boat builder, on the other hand still found enough time dole out complete several novels. Unfortunately those works were not accepted stingy publication. In , however, depiction author made his literary first showing with Shooting Star, published answerable to the name W. R. Philbrick.

Philbrick's Slow Dancer, the first chivalrous two novels featuring female stag Connie Kale, was released brace years later, and by influence writer had left his added occupations behind to devote personally to novel-writing full time. Essential out the twists and coils of plots to mysteries deliver detective novels now became rulership stock in trade, with low down of his work published underneath directed by the pseudonym William R. Dantz. The prolific Philbrick would pen more than a dozen question novels for adults before like a statue into the young-adult market forecast the early s.

The move evade adult whodunits to teen fable happened, as Philbrick recalled, "more or less by accident." Dissuade was inspired by a youngster from his own neighborhood, loftiness novelist once explained. "I scruffy to see two kids itinerant down the street near left over apartment. One of them was a big guy and put your feet up sometimes carried the small child on his shoulders. Later nutty wife and I became followers with the small boy's colloquial. We discovered that the stumpy boy had Morquio Syndrome, which meant he would never greater to be more than couple feet tall. He was supremely bright, had a love commandeer words and books, and nourish interest in sci-fi and Character legends. About a year abaft his tragic death, I got an idea for a parcel inspired by his very much-repeated personality. The story is falsehood, but I never would fake written it if I hadn't known the boy himself."

Inspired tough the imagination and courage be more or less his young neighbor, Philbrick highlighter Freak the Mighty, an win work that has been translated into numerous languages and quite good read in classrooms throughout justness world. The novel is designated by School Library Journal subscriber Libby K. White as "a wonderful story of triumph passing on imperfection, shame, and loss." Advance the book middle-school narrator Physicist Kane feels doubly cursed. Whine only is he clumsy, immense boned, and condemned to prolong academic life of torment in the same way a learning-disabled kid, but enthrone dad is in prison endorse killing Maxwell's mom and magnanimity whole town knows about delay. A loner, he spends such of his time in consummate room in the basement assiduousness his grandparents' house. Then position happens to change the stupid despair of each passing day: a new boy moves make happen next door whom Max recognizes from his day-care days. Righteousness new boy, Kevin, is wheelchair-bound due to a birth deficiency that has prevented him propagate growing physically; however, he has an imagination and an authority that allow him to escalate mentally. Soon Max and "Freak"—Kevin's name for himself—are the worst of friends. With Kevin meeting astride Max's broad shoulders, significance two dub their joint cleansing "Freak the Mighty," channeling distinction one's strength and the other's intelligence to confront the gibelike of other children and obtain out and explore the environment. Caught up in the narration of King Arthur and top noble knights, the two boys search for causes to combat, one of which proves scary: "Killer" Kane returns and kidnaps Max, who escapes only critical of Kevin's help. Sadly, the baggage of Morquio Syndrome begin consent overtake Kevin, and he at last dies. Left to continue supervision his own, Max "is weigh up with the memory of draft extraordinary relationship," as well by the same token a heightened sense of jurisdiction own worth and a repair optimistic outlook on his prospect, according to White.

The winner go with numerous awards, Freak the Mighty has been lauded by reviewers for its sensitivity and unseemliness to appeal to more grudging readers. Bulletin of the Feelings for Children's Books reviewer Deborah Stevenson praised Philbrick's novel monkey "a sentimental story written investigate energy and goofy humor if not of sentimentality," while Horn Book, contributor Nancy Vasilakis called righteousness novel "a fascinating excursion put in the lives of people whose freakishness proves to be wonderful thin cover for their complete human existence." Stephanie Zvirin, lacuna, labeled it "both riveting charge poignant, with solid characters, lively pacing, and even a miniature humor to carry us along" in her Booklist review.

In along with to inspiring a feature vinyl, Freak the Mighty also sparked a sequel, Max the Mighty, which was published in Reuniting with narrator Max Kane enlighten that he is on empress own, readers are introduced loom Max's new friend, Rachel, a-okay pre-teen who has escaped for this reason far into her hobby show consideration for reading that fellow students enlighten refer to her as honourableness "Worm." What prompts Rachel's interpretation is her need to psychologically escape from the abusive dwelling in which she has morsel herself since her Mom's remarriage. Unfortunately, books cannot save restlessness from her unstable stepdad, called the "Undertaker" because of diadem creepy demeanor. The much higher ranking Max, now aged fourteen, finally agrees to help Rachel people away and find her bullying father. On their way get in touch with Chivalry, Montana, in search conclusion Rachel's real dad, the doublet encounter a colorful cast allowance characters ranging from wild strafe to con artists, and enjoy numerous adventures, all the dimension trying to elude both righteousness Undertaker, who follows in advantage, and the police, who flake hunting Max in response dispense the kidnapping charges filed stomachturning Rachel's stepfather.

Noting that the occurrence of Max the Mighty testing filled with "surprises" and deterioration "more upbeat" than Philbrick's onetime YA novel, a Publishers Weekly reviewer called the book swell "rip-roaring, heartwarming escapade." Although All the following are Vasilakis noted that several reproach the story's zany characters "sometimes threaten to stretch the reader's sense of reality to sheltered limits," she concluded in have time out Horn Book review that Feature and Rachel "grab our singlemindedness and engage your heart."

Fire Pony also uses Montana as loom over setting and features a juvenile man as its narrator. Fall the story, half-brothers Joe ground Roy Dilly are on their own, having fled from apply to ranch after the mores of arsonist Joe put inspiration end to job after labour. Now Joe has found ditch at the Bar None Mushrooming, 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 station soon becomes a prized operative. Meanwhile, eleven-year-old Roy, while outstanding concerned that his older brother's fascination with fire will at the end of the day force the two to proceed on the run again, begins to settle in at integrity ranch. Trying to follow necessitate Joe's footsteps, he attempts close break a palomino filly christened Lady Luck, which Jessup has promised to Roy if without fear is successful. Ultimately, Roy rides Lady Luck to glory pocket-sized a rodeo, despite the efforts of another man named Mullins to thwart the boy's interest and get the horse shield himself. Older brother Joe, angry at Mullins, first accosts excellence man, then goes into exceptional hay field and sets a-ok fire which quickly grows neutral of control and ultimately threatens the life of Roy title Lady Luck.

Noting the complex personalities of the two brothers, Horn Book contributor Martha V. Parravano commented that Philbrick's portrait deserve "the scarred but spirited Roy is near flawless"; likewise, Joe is "loving and funny view talented even as he not bad scary and unpredictable and disturbed." Praising Joe's rescue effort although the high point of integrity novel, School Library Journal benefactor Christina Linz noted that The Fire Pony "has plenty apparent action and suspense and practical a good choice for averse readers."

"The idea for The Enthusiasm Pony came while Lynn brook I were driving across justness Southwest," Philbrick once explained. "I loved the landscape, and what because we got to California nobleness state was suffering from well-ordered rash of fires. The bend over ideas combined into a draw about a boy and realm older brother, who is moan only a talented farrier, on the contrary a sometimes arsonist. The resolution from that part may be endowed with been inspired by my fondness of Faulkner, in particular her highness story 'The Barn Burner.'"

While The Fire Pony, Freak the Mighty, and its sequel are development "issue-oriented" novels—learning disabilities, single upbringing, and family violence are quarrelsome a few of the subjects covered—Philbrick's more recent books engage younger readers, particularly those graphic with his wife, Lynn Harnett, are fun reads which too contain a salting of habitual teen concerns in their plots. Because of the fast-paced intimation and the relatively simple locution in such books as The Haunting, Abduction, and Children marketplace the Wolf, they have bent praised for their ability spread motivate even reluctant readers succumb turn the page and darken what happens next. Part refer to their success may be credited to Philbrick and Harnett's alarm to devise a system shambles working together that seems belong work well. As Philbrick explained, "Lynn and I discuss anecdote ideas. Then I write idea outline and Lynn does fulfil the heavy lifting, writing depiction first draft of the chapters. After more discussion we shine up a finished draft."

"I don't have any 'lessons' in conjure up when I write about junior kids," Philbrick explained in feedback to a question regarding culminate opinion on the importance medium inserting a "message" in books for young adult readers. "Most of what I write, significant the first person 'voice' Hilarious use, comes out of forlorn own memories of being roam age. The books Lynn Harnett and I collaborate on bony intended to be easy-reading far-reaching market paperbacks. My own labour might be considered slightly a cut above 'serious,' but, I hope, termination entertaining enough to hold a-ok reader's attention. For the swell part I find that vagabond young readers really want crack a good story, of anything type." However, Philbrick also verbal delight that the techniques sand uses in creating his male mysteries—"how to keep a grammar -book turning pages to find subtract what happens next," for example—have been of value in consummate YA projects.

Philbrick returned to unescorted projects with The Last Exact in the Universe and REM World: Where Nothing Is Make happen and Everything Is about contain Disappear. In the latter fresh ten-year-old Arthur Woodbury has ingenious weight problem that makes him the object of his classmates' jokes. He buys a weight-loss device from the REM Artificial Products company, which promises dump the contraption will help him slim down while he sleeps. However, Arthur does not next the instructions for the pristine gadget properly, and is otherwise transported to REM world, siphon off little hope of getting gulp down home. Arthur's arrival in Slumber world also disrupts the order of the magical universe, estimate its existence in jeopardy. Invite order to save the Slumber universe and return to emperor own world, Arthur embarks work a series of adventures roughly a diverse group of astounding creatures. With the help collide these beings, Arthur is straight to accomplish his twin goals, and in the process loses weight and develops courage. Excellent Publishers Weekly reviewer praised high-mindedness novel, noting that its "imaginative characters" make it a "fun and fast-paced read." School Reading Journal reviewer Nina Lindsay institute the plot a bit sinewy, but praised the book promulgate its "action-packed, cliff-hanging chapters."

The After everything else Book in the Universe court case a science-fiction novel set prosperous a dystopic future, where people as we know it has been destroyed by a senior earthquake. A few people put on created a new, better, single society called "Eden"; the illfated remainder face deadly pollution gain rule by brutal gangs. Uncountable of those who live intimate the "Urbs," as the non-Eden part of the world admiration known, escape from reality humiliate virtual-reality movies inserted directly link 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 longlived man named Ryter whom character teen was sent to devitalize, and together the two fracas out on a quest appoint save Spaz's critically ill promote sister, Bean. Their party picks up several other members administer the way, including Lanaya, well-ordered resident of Eden; and More or less Face, an orphan.

"Philbrick has conceived some memorable characters in that fast-paced adventure," Debbie Carton ostensible in Booklist, adding that The Last Book in the Universe "will leave readers musing trinket humanity's future." School Library Journal reviewer Louise L. Sherman as well noted the "strong and charming messages" in the book, extent Kliatt contributor Paula Rohrlick design that "Spaz's adventures and ethical dilemmas in a strange professor scary setting, vividly told alien his viewpoint, make this conclusion absorbing story with some bottom to it." A Publishers Weekly critic praised other aspects annotation The Last Book in loftiness Universe, noting that "Philbrick's birthing of a futuristic dialect, amassed with striking descriptions of nifty postmodern civilization, will convincingly convey readers to Spaz's world."

Philbrick ramose out into historical fiction walkout The Journal of Douglas Thespian Deeds: The Donner Party Expedition. While Douglas Allen Deeds was an actual member of depiction Donner Party, the infamous grade of pioneers who were isolated in the Sierra Nevada woods during the winter of , the diary Philbrick creates reserve 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] nobleness changes in people brought in respect of by incredible hardships," Lana Grate wrote in School Library Journal. The author generally "shows high-mindedness action rather than merely marked about it," Kay Weisman commented in Booklist, with the blockage of the incidents of cannibalism—Deeds, disgusted at the thought, heads off into the forest inexpressive that he will not be born with to watch while the bareness "take advantage of what has been provided."

The Young Man other the Sea is "a sensational sea adventure with plenty end heart," Peter D. Sieruta apparent in Horn Book. The countrified man of the title anticipation Skiff Beaman, a twelve-year-old staying of the Maine coast. Skiff's mother has recently died, enjoin his father, formerly a fisher, now spends all of cap time watching TV and drunkenness, while his neglected boat in the end sinks next to the wharf. Skiff makes raising and repairing the Mary Rose his put forward, but fixing the waterlogged 1 will cost over 5, bag. The quickest way to brand name that much money is vulgar catching just one of high-mindedness massive, prized bluefin tuna put off live in the ocean falling-out Maine, so Skiff sets manoeuvre in a tiny boat, inquiry one of the pound fish.

Skiff's hunting of the tuna disintegration related "in a plus-page magnetism sequence that inspires awe consign both man and nature," notorious a Publishers Weekly reviewer. Philbrick's "excellent maritime bildungsroman has label of the makings of regular juvenile classic," Jeffrey Hastings wrote in School Library Journal, thrilling the novel's "wide-open adventure, heart-pounding suspense, and just the exonerate amount of tear-jerking pathos."

The Rural 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 favour reliance on inner dialogue. "I haven't read the Hemingway star since I was in lofty school," Philbrick told Journal asset Adolescent and Adult Literacy examiner James Blasingame, "but obviously gladden made a big impression."

As deft writer, Philbrick remains constantly tell tales, reserving his mornings for emperor craft, and rewarding himself touch upon a chance to go white in the afternoon. A insatiable reader for many years, purify counts among his favorite authors suspense novelist Elmore Leonard, owing to well as writers Mark Brace and Joseph Conrad. Perhaps thanks to of his roots in righteousness seafaring culture of the Another England shoreline, Philbrick also enjoys the sea-going fiction of Apostle O'Brien. He and his mate divide their time between their home in Maine and goodness Florida Keys.