Books with author Michael Harman

“Stick” is the best wide receiver in the history of his high school—the football seems magnetically drawn to his hands, hence his nickname. Preston is an outcast, and his pipsqueak stature and nerdy social status couldn’t be further from a star athlete’s. Stick puts on his football costume every week to make others—his teammates, his dad, everyone but himself—happy, but he’s fallen out of love with the sport and feels that he’s lost control of his future. Preston puts on his homemade superhero costume every night to help others, too: to avenge his father’s murder, he’s determined to right the wrongs he sees in his neighborhood and regain control of the flawed world he sees around him. A twist of fate brings this unlikely pair together in a friendship that is as odd as it is true. Each can see the other better than he can see himself, and in these unexpected reflections lies a chance for mutual redemption.

It’s true: After 17-year-old Ben’s father announces he’s gay and the family splits apart, Ben does everything he can to tick him off: skip school, smoke pot, skateboard nonstop, get arrested. But he never thinks he’ll end up yanked out of his city life and plunked down into a small Montana town with his dad and Edward, The Boyfriend. As if it’s not painful enough living in a hick town with spiked hair, a skateboard habit, and two dads, he soon realizes something’s not quite right with Billy, the boy next door. He’s hiding a secret about his family, and Ben is determined to uncover it and set things right. In an authentic, unaffected, and mordantly funny voice, Michael Harmon tells the wrenching story of an uprooted and uncomfortable teenaged guy trying to fix the lives around him–while figuring out his own.

Tate's younger brother Indy is probably the best skateboarder in Spokane. He's also really smart though he couldn't care less about school. But when Indy clashes with his father one too many times and drops out of school, it's up to Tate to win his brother back from the seedier elements of Spokane. Can Tate convince Indy to come home, finish his high school degree, and return to skating Under the bridge with their crew?Michael Harmon's fast-paced and highly charged novel captures the enduring bond between brothers and their struggle for survival on the gritty streets of Spokane.

Major streaming series coming soon to HuluStarring in the Hulu adaptation of this cult bestseller: Alex Fitzalan, Alex Wolff, Sebastian Chacon, and Camila Perez.On April 21, 2008, Steven "Crash" Crashinsky saved more than a thousand people when he stopped his classmate David Burnett from taking their high school hostage armed with assault weapons and high-powered explosives.You likely already know what came after for Crash: the nationwide notoriety, the college recruitment, and, of course, the book deal. What you might not know is what came before: a story of two teens whose lives have been inextricably linked since grade school, who were destined, some say, to meet that day in the teachers' lounge of Meadows High.And what you definitely don't know are the words that Burn whispered to Crash right as the siege was ending, a secret that Crash has never revealed.Until now.

With her martyr-doctor mother gone to save lives in some South American country, Poe Holly suddenly finds herself on the suburban doorstep of the father she never knew, who also happens to be a counselor at her new high school. She misses Los Angeles. She misses the guys in her punk band. Weirdly, she even misses the shouting matches she used to have with her mom.But Poe manages to find a few friends: Theo, the cute guy in the anarchy Tshirt, and Velveeta, her oddly likeable neighbor—and a born victim who’s the butt of every prank at Benders High. But when the pranks turn deadly at the hands of invincible football star Colby Morris, Poe knows she’s got to fix the system and take down the hero.With insightfulness, spot-on dialogue, and a swiftly paced plot, Michael Harmon tells the story of a displaced girl grappling with a truly dangerous bully.

SHOCKING, FUNNY, SAD AND RAUNCHYThe biggest and baddest of America’s atmospheric nuclear weapons test series, Redwing mixed saber rattling with mad science, while overlooking its cataclysmic human, geopolitical and ecological effects. But mostly, Redwing just messed with guys’ heads.“A gripping memoir...Leavened by humor, loyalty and pride of accomplishment, this book is a tribute to the resilience, courage and patriotism of the American soldier.” — Henry Kissinger“One of the best books I've ever read! Destined to become a classic.”— John G. Stoessinger, Ph.D., winner of the Bancroft Prize for International Affairs, member of the Council on Foreign Relations, former Acting Director for the Political Affairs Division at the U.N.“Shockingly honest...Deeply personal and politically profound.”— Sen. Charles Schumer“Hard to put down...Touching, horrifying and uproariously funny.”— Dr. Robert Jervis, Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Politics, Columbia University“Brilliantly conceived, elegantly rendered and persuasively authentic.”— Robert B. Parker, author of the Spenser and Jesse Stone series“An entertaining read in the bloodline of Catch-22, Harris achieves the oddest of victories: a funny, optimistic story about the H-bomb.”— Publishers Weekly“Absurd and terrifying....Bored, frightened, angry, and sexually frustrated, the men turn cruel, violent and suicidal. Harris' frank and disturbing descriptions of the criminally irresponsible proceedings on Eniwetok and the physical and mental pain he and others endured constitute shocking additions to atomic history.” — Booklist

“Looking for a terrific read? I highly recommend PULSE. . . It's a story to get lost in.” —Stephen King“Harvey’s lethal imagination is cranked to eleven in this one . . . his best yet by far. Superb!” — Lee ChildThe story of a Boston murder that defies all expectations—optioned for film by 21 Laps, the company behind Stranger Things and ArrivalBoston, 1976. In a small apartment above Kenmore Square, sixteen-year-old Daniel Fitzsimmons is listening to his landlord describe a seemingly insane theory about invisible pulses of light and energy that can be harnessed by the human mind. He longs to laugh with his brother Harry about it, but Harry doesn’t know he’s there—he would never approve of Daniel living on his own. None of that matters, though, because the next night Harry, a Harvard football star, is murdered in an alley. Detectives “Bark” Jones and Tommy Dillon are assigned to the case. The veteran partners thought they’d seen it all, but they are stunned when Daniel wanders into the crime scene. Even stranger, Daniel claims to have known the details of his brother’s murder before it ever happened. The subsequent investigation leads the detectives deep into the Fitzsimmons brothers’ past. They find heartbreaking loss, sordid characters, and metaphysical conspiracies. Even on the rough streets of 1970s Boston, Jones and Dillon have never had a case like this.Pulse is a novel laced with real danger and otherworldly twists—a master class by an endlessly gifted writer.

'There is magic at work in these tales, a magic that stirs the air around you and fills it with the wondrous sounds and echoes of the stories that made Wales.'A dozen stories from the magical land of Wales from a master storyteller who knows the mountains, lakes and paths of Wales first hand and who has been telling these stories in Wales and all over the world for over twenty years.‘This is a very enjoyable read. Michael’s easy storytelling style conjures up and takes you deep into the Welsh landscape’Expect love, magic, betrayal, heroism and humour with one of the most beautiful little countries in the world as a backdrop all told by a master storyteller who leads you gently into the landscape of story. ‘Michael Harvey’s voice speaks at one with the landscape of Wales; melodic and mythic, gruesome and grand – with stories for now of times long gone.’What better way to get to know a country and it’s secret charm than in the company of someone who knows it intimately? With this book you can. You’ll feel ‘The stories of Wales come to life as if Michael is beside you telling them. His qualities as a storyteller – warmth, wit and feeling for dramatic emphasis – leap from the page into the reader’s imagination. If you want an ear to the ground, this is the one to choose.’You may not be within striking distance of the lakes and mountains of Wales but as ‘Michael walks us through the wonderful Celtic Tales of Wales; tales of enchantment, bravery and magic are mapped out in glorious Welsh landscapes and told as always with a genteel lilt that is irresistible – ‘un-put-down able’ at any age.’The story world of Wales is populated by giants, the little people, monsters, heroes, lovers fools and villains and this is your chance to meet them ‘Celtic Folktales from Wales’ is a brilliant read. From the moment you step out of Michael Harvey’s front door with him, you feel the thrill of being taken on an adventure. You also hear him telling as you go and, beware, this may give you an irresistible urge to read out loud, which is exactly what my 25 year old son and I did; taking turns to read to each other. So not just for those who want a quiet read as this is also a fantastic ‘Reading Aloud’ resource for all ages.’‘Michael Harvey’s characteristic elegance dances over the pages as we wander at leisure through this fine selection, with the storyteller’s voice our trusty guide.’So join other readers who have tasted the mystery and charm of the Welsh story landscape in ‘Celtic Folktales of Wales’

Recess. A swing set. An argument. A resolution! Michael Hall’s transformative Swing is a celebration of friendship, joy, and kindness. Readers of all ages will look forward to seeing how four unlikely friends navigate their differences. A surprising and standout picture book from the acclaimed and bestselling creator of Red: A Crayon’s Story and Perfect Square. It’s recess! Four letters (O, V, E, and L) race to the playground to claim the swings. In several pages of recess banter and bullying, one letter is told it’s too round, one is from the wrong end of the alphabet, and one is a vowel and therefore not welcome.What does it take to save the day? Kindness . . . and a heavenly and joyful swing. And what do the letters—friends now because of their shared experience—spell when they finally come back to Earth? LOVE. A story about sharing, acceptance, and kindness, this transcendent and colorful picture book will keep readers guessing while also introducing the letters of the alphabet. Swing is for anyone who loves to hop on a swing and fly to the sky.

*“An excellent read.”—School Library Journal, StarredIt's true: After 17-year-old Ben’s father announces he’s gay and the family splits apart, Ben does everything he can to tick him off: skip school, smoke pot, skateboard nonstop, get arrested. But he never thinks he’ll end up yanked out of his city life and plunked down into a small Montana town with his dad and Edward, the Boyfriend. As if it’s not bad enough living in a hick town with spiked hair, a skateboard habit, and two dads, he soon realizes something’s not quite right with Billy, the boy next door. He’s hiding a secret about his family, and Ben is determined to uncover it and set things right. In an authentic, unaffected, and mordantly funny voice, Michael Harmon tells the compelling story of an uprooted and uncomfortable teenaged guy trying to fix the lives around him—while figuring out his own.*“Tracking Ben’ transformation from rebellious city boy to hardworking cowboy, Harmon digs beneath the stereotypes. . . . Skillful, often witty insights into human nature.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred

With her martyr-doctor mother gone to save lives in some South American country, Poe Holly suddenly finds herself on the suburban doorstep of the father she never knew, who also happens to be a counselor at her new high school. She misses Los Angeles. She misses the guys in her punk band. Weirdly, she even misses the shouting matches she used to have with her mom.But Poe manages to find a few friends: Theo, the cute guy in the anarchy Tshirt, and Velveeta, her oddly likeable neighbor—and a born victim who’s the butt of every prank at Benders High. But when the pranks turn deadly at the hands of invincible football star Colby Morris, Poe knows she’s got to fix the system and take down the hero.With insightfulness, spot-on dialogue, and a swiftly paced plot, Michael Harmon tells the story of a displaced girl grappling with a truly dangerous bully.