Books with author A.M. Strickland

After an earthquake sends him tumbling down a cliff, young Kurt awakens unhurt, but terrified. He can't remember anything -- not even his own name! Hopelessly confused, Kurt stumbles away from the cliff, unknowingly wandering deeper into dangerous rain forest. Meanwhile, Kurt's family and his Deinonychus friend Tostri are urgently searching for him. But without his memory, how will Kurt know who they are?

The Marks Left Behind is a stunning and intense journey into the personal life of author, Rick Strickland, and the struggles of African Americans. Each page you turn is a historic journal of the spirit of the people stolen from their homeland, and forced into submission. Yet, their spirits were never broken They kept the memory of those lost in their hearts, and rose above the pain and ridicule. Still the Marks Left Behind continue to fester. African Americans especially the youth in America, need guidance to overcome tragedy. This is a message author, Rick Strickland sends to us through his emotional poetry. ---- USA Travel Magazine

John Bellairs, author of The House with a Clock in Its Walls and other young-adult thrillers, died in 1991. His son chose Brad Strickland to finish two books his father had begun. Later, the estate gave Brad permission to write more books in Bellairs's series. This is Brad Strickland's memoir of writing books in the Lewis Barnavelt series, with guides to the people, places, and things in each volume. With wit and humor, he describes the process of writing the novels, giving a lively literary analysis as well as encouraging readers to go to the originals for tales of mystery, suspense, and humor well blended. This is a love letter to the career and legacy of John Bellairs.

Praise for Oracle of the Song:“Astonishing, in every sense of the word… I can't wait for the third book - it will take me that long to catch my breath and recover from my envy.” —Peter S. Beagle, Author of The Last Unicorn, The Innkeeper’s Song, Summerlong & many others“Marvelously readable, The Oracle of the Song, is a mesmerizing story of a time when the divine and mortal were entwined around a common fate.” —Angeliki A. Pateli, Archeologist Msc.“Everything I love about Greek myths—wild monsters, power-crazed gods, and breathtaking adventures—come to life... A terrific story well told! I loved it.” —Vicky Alvear Shecter, Author of Cleopatra’s Moon, Curses and Smoke & many othersDetermined to save her best friend Sophia, Thaleia—the young Oracle of Delphi—descends into the Underworld, a forbidden land from which none escape.But does Sophia want to be saved? If so, why does she trick Thaleia to drink from the River of Forgetfulness, so she no longer knows the reason she descended into Hades’ Realm?Thaleia prays for the gods’ help. Instead of their guidance, she encounters Hades’ rage and Athena’s jealous fury.Always, the gods defy her.Beneath fire skies, Thaleia outwits Typhon, a hundred-headed sea monster; challenges the Graeae—three hags who share one eye and one tooth between them and risks being turned to stone with the gaze of Medusa, a snake-haired priestess.Ultimately, all paths lead to Hades Palace and a box hidden beneath Queen Persephone’s bed. Can Thaleia stop blaming the gods for her friend’s death? Can she let honesty and courage guide her? Can she bring Sophia home?

The slaughter of the Spartan Three Hundred at Thermopylae, Greece 480BCE—when King Leonidas tried to stop the Persian army with only his elite guard—is well known. But just what did King Xerxes do after he defeated the Greeks? Fifteen-year-old Thaleia is haunted by visions: roofs dripping blood, Athens burning. She tries to convince her best friend and all the villagers that she’s not crazy. The gods do speak to her. And the gods have plans for this girl. When Xerxes army of a million Persians marches straight to the mountain village Delphi to claim the Temple of Apollo’s treasures and sacred power, Thaleia’s gift may be her people’s last line of defense. Her destiny may be to save Greece… but is one girl strong enough to stop an entire army?

Praise for Oracle of the Song: “Astonishing, in every sense of the word… I can't wait for the third book - it will take me that long to catch my breath and recover from my envy.” —Peter S. Beagle, Author of The Last Unicorn, The Innkeeper’s Song, Summerlong & many others “Marvelously readable, The Oracle of the Song, is a mesmerizing story of a time when the divine and mortal were entwined around a common fate.” —Angeliki A. Pateli, Archeologist Msc. “Everything I love about Greek myths—wild monsters, power-crazed gods, and breathtaking adventures—come to life... A terrific story well told! I loved it.” —Vicky Alvear Shecter, Author of Cleopatra’s Moon, Curses and Smoke & many others Determined to save her best friend Sophia, Thaleia—the young Oracle of Delphi—descends into the Underworld, a forbidden land from which none escape. But does Sophia want to be saved? If so, why does she trick Thaleia to drink from the River of Forgetfulness, so she no longer knows the reason she descended into Hades’ Realm? Thaleia prays for the gods’ help. Instead of their guidance, she encounters Hades’ rage and Athena’s jealous fury. Always, the gods defy her. Beneath fire skies, Thaleia outwits Typhon, a hundred-headed sea monster; challenges the Graeae—three hags who share one eye and one tooth between them and risks being turned to stone with the gaze of Medusa, a snake-haired priestess. Ultimately, all paths lead to Hades Palace and a box hidden beneath Queen Persephone’s bed. Can Thaleia stop blaming the gods for her friend’s death? Can she let honesty and courage guide her? Can she bring Sophia home?

Asteria Locke's Fight has just begun...Asteria Locke has never left her father's farm on the remote planet of Theron. But in one terrible moment, a surprise attack by space raiders destroys everything she's ever known. Orphaned and alone, Asteria vows to avenge her father's death by joining the Royal Spacefleet Academy. . . even if she has to lie to get in.Branded an outcast at the Academy from the start, Asteria must work twice as hard as the other students to prove herself. But in time, she suspects that the Aristocrats who torment her have more sinister motives than shaming a commoner. They'll stop at nothing to hide a secret from her father's past-a secret that could shift the balance of power throughout the entire universe.Praise for Flight of the Outcast:"Strickland creates a fast-moving story with plenty of action and a plucky central character, and the series' next installment will no doubt give more clues as to the nature of an evil conspiracy that involves aliens and a leading aristocratic family." - Booklist"Good character development and plenty of momentum make this an enjoyable read, but there is clearly a lot more story ahead-this installment ends not with a cliffhanger but an anticipation of action yet to come." - Kirkus"Strickland's first in a new space series is that rarest of creatures: well-done Hard Science Fiction Adventure for middle grade readers. Excellent world-building, strong character development, and a swift pace will have fans of the genre eagerly anticipating Asteria's next year at the Academy." - Voya