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Growing into the teen years is intellectually and emotionally expanding, yet sometimes accompanied by distress. As Sebastian ages from 11 to 13 by the third book, the problems he must surmount become more complex, and the possibility of failure threatens to be life-changing. However, he has an involved family, wise neighbors, caring friends, the resources of New York City, and a sense of humor to guide him forward when his life crashes and will not reboot.
“A fun, inspiring NYC folktale of achievement and redemption.”
—Kirkus Reviews
No matter how much he practices, shy, short-for-his-age, 11-year-old Sebastian is unable to become a chess champion. A kindly neighbor presents him with the Mighty Token to help him win. Unconvinced at first, Sebastian then discovers inner confidence to defeat his rival. However, the Token is not his to keep. Sebastian must give it to someone who faces impossible obstacles that prevent them from achieving their dreams. Thus begins Sebastian’s wild adventure, leading him from his Manhattan private school to the Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park’s wooded Ramble, and finally to his own front door, where Sebastian faces his most important challenge: reuniting his split-up family.
“Quirky and upbeat; a satisfying tale of inner courage and friendship.” —Kirkus Reviews
Twelve-year-old Sebastian loves math and chess and can harness the computing power of Artificial Intelligence. But he’s too shy to try out for his school’s competitive math team, and he is convinced there is nothing he can do to change. That is, until the 16-year-old dyslexic go-kart racer, Naomi, zooms into his life. She has to win one more race to qualify for a competitive racing school abroad. But she has her own demons. The cautious brainiac and the speed-demon firecracker form an unlikely partnership to see if they can discover ways to outrace the problems chasing them.
“A well-wrought cautionary tale that’s fast-moving and full of surprises.” —Kirkus Reviews
Thirteen-year-old brainiac Sebastian thrives at a prominent New York City high school until he’s wrongfully expelled for computer hacking. Bored, bullied, and lonely at his new school, he joins a cyber gang of runaway teens, including a wannabe comedian and a fierce girl with a criminal past, to whom he finds himself strangely attracted. Empowered by new sophisticated hacking skills, Sebastian must find a way to neutralize a bully and free a falsely imprisoned friend. But, does he have the strength of character to withstand the charismatic gang leader’s promise of riches to be made from cybercrime?
Jonathan Day lives in New York City’s Upper Westside neighborhood, where he and his wife raised their children. Professionally, he is an Emmy award-winning film editor and writes and sells dramas for TV and the movies. He volunteers as a youth soccer coach and tutor to teens on the craft of writing and story-telling.
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