Books with author Michael G. Thomas

These were previously published by Oxford University Press in the Headwork series of readers. The stories were written by Michael Thomson who now retains the copyright and is self publishing them for you!The stories are so called “High-Low” readers. That is of high interest but low reading age, or in other words with normal comprehension levels but easier to ‘decode’ or read. They were tried out on children at East Court, a school for dyslexic children and are aimed at an interest level of around 11-14. There are a range of genres from contemporary through fantasy, humour and true 2nd world war stories. They are written in 4 levels of basic reading difficulty starting around the 8 year reading age with level 1 being the easiest to read. However, the themes and interest level are all still at the 11-14 age range. This is Level 1 in a WWII Series

A human, elf and Dwarf set out on a quest.This is a previously unpublished “High Low” fantasy trilogy. Fantasy stories are very popular for all ages, often in the best seller lists. For some readers this rich source of adventure is closed. This trilogy proposal is based on characters living in ‘Darkling Lands’ (map supplied!). It has the usual fantasy theme of Warriors, Magic, Elves, Dwarves and Dragons and these with characters types, readily identifiable in the fantasy context by readers, appeal to a very wide age range in this key area of fictional interest. However the content is mainly aimed at the 11 to late teen market, with reading levels at around the 8/9 year level.

Loser's Ledge is a young adult mystery involving a courageous young man named Mick. Following the death of his mother from a hit and run accident, the story traces Mick's life as an orphan and his burning desire to find his mom's killer. Spiced with real life scenarios about growing up on the streets of a rural town, life in a residential facility and Mick's adventure as he hides out from the law, the story climaxes when Mick faces his past, returning to the town that gave him both happiness and grief.Throughout the text, the reader will relate to the many lovable and memorable characters. From Mick to Paulie to Moose to Harry, a part of everyone's life will return in one form or another. Loser's Ledge is a feel good novel with a surprise ending.Author Michael J. Thomas test marketed this novel with his students with great reviews in the form of book reports. It remains a favorite genre among the middle school pupils at Sleepy Hollow.

When the first manned spacecraft to Mars disappears and its crew explorer vehicle crashes onto the Brown's wheat farm, what Ben discovers leads him on an adventure that he could never have imagined. He builds a flying machine and flies off to a planet in another universe where he finds himself fighting free its enslaved people, eighteen foot giants, and then to save his own planet. Ultimately, it's a story about faith and a young man's quest for love and redemption for his father's untimely death.Three excerpts from Ben Brown's Flying MachineExcerpt 1: Chapter 11: No AccidentBen glided out of the barn on his platform and passed the dimly lit farmhouse and skimmed over the wheat fields towards Maryann’s house.He approached her bedroom window and saw her unclipping the back of her bra. He froze, too terrified to move, and stood there watching her putting on her nightie, but as she did so, she caught sight of him and spun around indignantly and rushed up to the window.“What do you think you’re doing?”“Nothing, I...”“Nothing?”“Just wanted to say sorry ‘bout last night.”Her face softened.“See if you wanted to go for a ride.”Her eyes lit up. Then she threw on a sweater, pulled some jeans up over her nightie, and approached the window, smiling excitedly.Excerpt 2: Chapter 12: 75th National High Schools’ Science CompetitionBen and Maryann arrived at their booth and stared at its bare concrete floor and faceless wooden frame with a cardboard sign marked “121” stapled to it. Maryann nodded towards the next booth and Ben saw the panel of four judges shaking the students’ hands and one of the judges looking quizzically at his platform.“Let’s hope it’s not all about presentation,” he said, lifting it down.At that, Maryann pushed the wheelbarrow away into the far corner.Moments later, the leader of the judging panel approached their booth and stared stoically at the dented platform and glanced around the empty booth at the wheelbarrow. ‘Exactly why they need a qualifying round,’ he thought to himself, intending to make an issue of it later. He looked down his list of entries and then at the other judges.“121, do you have it? I can’t see it,” he asked one of the female judges.She looked down her list and shook her head, prompting the others to flick through their piles of registration forms. The lead judge looked around at Ben and Maryann.“Registration?” he asked.Maryann handed him their copy, and he skimmed through it, writing down their details.“Mr. Brown?”“Yes, sir.”“A flying machine,” he articulated clearly, reading their form.“Yes, sir.”“Any paperwork, documentation?”“No, sir.”“Care to describe how it works?”“Through particle displacement, sir.”“Particle displacement,” he echoed, looking at him above the rims of his glasses.“Yes, sir.”“Care to elaborate?”Ben hesitated and saw all the judges staring at him in wide-eyed anticipation. “Sure,” he said. “It uhm... it uses three particle vacuum drives. Each induces particle displacement around a vacuum, which provides forward and directional thrust.”Silence. Not one of the judges batted an eye lid.“I see,” the lead judge said.“It’s kind of new.” Ben smiled.The lead judge smiled and looked around a little incredulously at the others.“I can start her up and show you.”“By all means. It’s safe? Not going to shoot off anywhere?”“No, sir. But it might pay to step back a bit.”Excerpt 3. Chapter 12: 75th National High Schools’ Science CompetitionA shutter slid back inside the confessional box, revealing the outline of a priest.“Father, I’m not part of this church,” Ben said, “but I was...”“God welcomes one and all.”“Even if you’re not sure he exists?”“One and all. What’s on your mind, son?”“I was wondering about God’s will... his hand, how far it might extend if he wanted to do something.”“No one can presume the infinite power and wisdom of God.”“He could use someone of little faith?"

Miles and miles from here, whole continents away, there’s a special place and in The Most Special Place on Earth, author and illustrator Sean Michael Thomas helps young readers learn and dream about what the world has to offer. With bold, vividly crafted illustrations, Thomas offers readers another big world adventure in his follow-up to Sedikit-Sedikit Menjadi Bukit: Little by Little We Climb the Mountain, his 2008 debut. Meet Tutti. She’s wild about learning and she loves to ask questions. She’s what adults call the inquisitive type. She wants to know all there is to know about, well, everything. On one particular evening, right before bedtime, she asks her father what he thinks is the very most special place on earth. His answer is the Taj Mahal, but on the second night Tutti poses the familiar refrain, and he thinks it might be Machu Picchu. From one iconic destination to the next—from Russia and Antarctica to the continent of Africa—Tutti and her father keep on trying to figure it out. Oh, the places your child will dream of exploring with The Most Special Place on Earth as their bedtime story…

These were previously published by Oxford University Press in the Headwork series of readers. The stories were written by Michael Thomson who now retains the copyright and is self publishing them for you!The stories are so called “High-Low” readers. That is of high interest but low reading age, or in other words with normal comprehension levels but easier to ‘decode’ or read. They were tried out on children at East Court, a school for dyslexic children and are aimed at an interest level of around 11-14. There are a range of genres from contemporary through fantasy, humour and true 2nd world war stories. They are written in 4 levels of basic reading difficulty starting around the 8 year reading age with level 1 being the easiest to read. However, the themes and interest level are all still at the 11-14 age range. This is Level 2 in a WWII Series

These were previously published by Oxford University Press in the Headwork series of readers. The stories were written by Michael Thomson who now retains the copyright and is self publishing them for you!The stories are so called “High-Low” readers. That is of high interest but low reading age, or in other words with normal comprehension levels but easier to ‘decode’ or read. They were tried out on children at East Court, a school for dyslexic children and are aimed at an interest level of around 11-14. There are a range of genres from contemporary through fantasy, humour and true 2nd world war stories. They are written in 4 levels of basic reading difficulty starting around the 8 year reading age with level 1 being the easiest to read. However, the themes and interest level are all still at the 11-14 age range. This is Level 2 in a WWII Series

A stain on the wall, an old lady’s painting and a dream. Tessa fnds out how they are linked.These were previously published by Oxford University Press in the Headwork series of readers. The stories were written by Michael Thomson who now retains the copyright and is self publishing them for you!The stories are so called “High-Low” readers. That is of high interest but low reading age, or in other words with normal comprehension levels but easier to ‘decode’ or read. They were tried out on children at East Court, a school for dyslexic children and are aimed at an interest level of around 11-14. There are a range of genres from contemporary through fantasy, humour and true 2nd world war stories. They are written in 4 levels of basic reading difficulty starting around the 8 year reading age with level 1 being the easiest to read. However, the themes and interest level are all still at the 11-14 age range. This is Level 3 in a Modern Story Series

Luke finds a strange puppy. It grows to a huge dog at the farm. What happens with Luke, Sara and the dog on a school trip? These were previously published by Oxford University Press in the Headwork series of readers. The stories were written by Michael Thomson who now retains the copyright and is self publishing them for you!The stories are so called “High-Low” readers. That is of high interest but low reading age, or in other words with normal comprehension levels but easier to ‘decode’ or read. They were tried out on children at East Court, a school for dyslexic children and are aimed at an interest level of around 11-14. There are a range of genres from contemporary through fantasy, humour and true 2nd world war stories. They are written in 4 levels of basic reading difficulty starting around the 8 year reading age with level 1 being the easiest to read. However, the themes and interest level are all still at the 11-14 age range. This is Level 3 in a Modern Story Series