Books with author Michael Basman

You see that chipmunk over there? I’ve got to make sure it’s dead in less than three minutes. Don’t make that face—it’s my job.Midnight Smith has a problem. He’s a hoodie. Well, almost. He has to go through Death’s Academy so he can learn how to snuff out shorties (humans, like you and your friends) and outsmart those pesky halos. Then he’ll get his shroud and calling and become a full-fledged Grim Reaper. But to get into Death’s Academy, there’s a real killer exam . . . and Midnight stinks at exams. What he doesn’t know is that the exam is the least of his worries. When the hoodies and halos go on their yearly retreat, the time is ripe for an old enemy—the diabolical Unicorns—to strike. That leaves Midnight and his friends the only ones to stop the attack . . . and this is something he just can’t fail at.Death's Academy turns convention on its head. Root for the “bad guy” in this delicious twist on good versus evil.

At first, you won’t like Fremont Rosenbloom. What he does for a living is rather detestable. Let’s say you have an ex-husband getting remarried, or perhaps your slave driver boss' son’s birthday is coming up. If you want the occasion to be remembered, you call Fremont. Ruining special occasions is his specialty, in fact you could say it is his art. But please withhold judgment. Fremont has a story.You see, Fremont’s dad abandoned him. He left in the dead of night, not to be seen again. As a parting gift, Fremont’s father left him a motivational voice mail on their answering machine, reassuring Fremont it wasn’t his fault he was being left behind. He also left him the deed to their small house, and enough money to make it to his eighteenth birthday. Fremont’s father asked him to consider it a ‘great adventure’. As you might imagine, Fremont started to spiral.He latched onto his crusty next door neighbor Modesto, a gambling addict with a pension for the black jack tables. Modesto wasn’t much, but he was the closest thing to a grandfather Fremont could muster. He became family.With Modesto’s help, Fremont’s money soon evaporated. Bills became due, and his adopted grandfather Modesto, was going to lose his house. Fremont couldn’t bear the thought of losing someone again. Fremont stepped up. After school he began working at the local pizza shop, but it wasn’t enough. No one was willing to pay a sixteen year old what he needed to keep Modesto and himself afloat. It was at around the same time, he discovered he had a knack, and flair for elaborate schemes. He saw a business opportunity, and he jumped at it. He became a ‘party assassin’ for hire. But when his new 'job' threatens his relationship with his best friend Adeline, he must make a choice on who he's going to save.Fans of John Green will love Fremont Rosenbloom.

Ten-year-old Callum doesn't think he's good at much. That's about to change... Meet Callum Martindale. He's the son of the high school baseball coach in a family known for athletic ability. If you ask him, though, Callum will tell you that he's "as athletic as a sloth." Besides playing video games and doing mazes, Callum isn't sure what he's good at. That is until one day when he's stays at home sick and binge watches a baking competition with his mom. Callum then discovers a love and ability for something he'd least expect... The Secret Baker is a story about learning to be yourself, overcoming fear of what others think, and embracing what you're good at. It will encourage kids to embrace their abilities and grow in kindness.

In Simon Bloom, The Gravity Keeper, Simon Bloom and his friends used the Book of Physics to narrowly defeat villainess Sirabetta. Now Simon?s nemesis, stuck as a helpless thirteen-year-old, wants revenge. In this exciting sequel, Simon and company must enter the mysterious undersea realm of the Order of Biology to fi nd Sirabetta before she can restore her powers. Aided by old allies and some new ones, the kids struggle with fi erce beasts, dangerous enemies, and their own evolving abilities. Blending humor, suspense, and science?and throwing new octopus powers into the mix?Michael Reisman brings us another outstandingly original adventure.

Ten-year-old Callum doesn't think he's good at much. That's about to change... Meet Callum Martindale. He's the son of the high school baseball coach in a family known for athletic ability. If you ask him, though, Callum will tell you that he's "as athletic as a sloth." Besides playing video games and doing mazes, Callum isn't sure what he's good at. That is until one day when he's stays at home sick and binge watches a baking competition with his mom. Callum then discovers a love and ability for something he'd least expect... The Secret Baker is a story about learning to be yourself, overcoming fear of what others think, and embracing what you're good at. It will encourage kids to embrace their abilities and grow in kindness.

Read on the blues musicians that shaped The Blues genre in volume one from our series “Blues Biographies”. Volume one cover some of the Chicago based blues musicians from Willie Dixon who wrote most of Muddy Waters’ songs and hits. He has been called “the poet laureate of the blues” as well as “the father of modern Chicago Blues.” Legendary bluesmen like Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williamson II to those who were part of Chess Records where the Rolling Stones flew to Chess Studios from The UK just record in the 1960’s where The Great Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Etta James, as well as session guitarist at the time who went on to find success in later years such as Buddy Guy. They were considered the pre curser to Rock n' Roll...All in one great book.

Finally, the ultimate answer to "I'm Bored!" Camp's Over, Now What? features 102 Free Things To Do that are perfect for kids and teenagers to try on their next free afternoon. Get your kids off their screens with everything from physical activities (mad film dashes, photo scavenger hunts!) to hands-on fun (slime recipes, craft projects!), with each homemade idea you will have an absolute blast! Whether you are looking for solo or group fun, low-energy or active, for an hour-long or a month, there are ideas in here for you. This may just be the one book that is more fun than a video game! Best of all, each of our 102 Free Things To Do comes with a bonus idea, for countless hours of fun. So open this book, or hand it to your kid, and turn an average day into an amazing adventure!

The Death's Academy entrance exam for Midnight Smith is quickly approaching. There's just one problem: Midnight is the worst exam taker the academy has ever seen. If Midnight wants to ever step foot inside the school, he'll have to join forces with the hated Guardian Angels, and together face the deadliest creatures in the world--the dreaded Unicorns. Becoming a Grim Reaper has never been more hilarious!