"A dreamy charmer of a book, full of clever wordplay that practically demands it be read out loud."--New York Times
Have you ever wanted to hold a little piece of the impossible? The Doldrums is an extraordinary debut about friendship, imagination, and the yearning for adventure from author-artist Nicholas Gannon. With the hardcover edition lavishly illustrated in full color, The Doldrums is a modern classic in the making, for readers of inventive and timeless authors such as Brian Selznick and Lemony Snicket.
Archer B. Helmsley wants an adventure. No, he needs an adventure. His grandparents were famous explorers . . . until they got stuck on an iceberg. Now Archer's mother barely lets him out of the house. As if that would stop a true Helmsley. Archer enlists Adelaide--the girl who, according to rumor, lost her leg to a crocodile--and Oliver--the boy next door--to help him rescue his grandparents. The Doldrums whisks us off on an adventure full of sly humor, incredible detail, and enormous heart.
With approximately twenty pieces of breathtaking full-color artwork, as well as black-and-white spot illustrations, and gorgeous, literary writing, Nicholas Gannon proves himself to be a distinctive new voice with his middle grade debut. Be in it for the limitless imagination. For the characters who capture your heart. For the rich world you'll want to settle into. But most of all, be in it for the friendship. That, after all, is the true adventure.
About the Author :
Nicholas Gannon studied art and design and held a number of odd jobs before becoming a full-time author and illustrator. He has lived in Tennessee, Minnesota, and upstate New York. He now resides in Brooklyn, and he can sometimes be found eavesdropping on curious conversations at the Explorers Club. www.nicholasjgannon.com
Bronson Pinchot, Audible's Narrator of the Year for 2010, has won Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Awards, AudioFile Earphones Awards, Audible's Book of the Year Award, and Audie Awards for several audiobooks, including Matterhorn, Wise Blood, Occupied City, and The Learners. A magna cum laude graduate of Yale, he is an Emmy- and People's Choice-nominated veteran of movies, television, and Broadway and West End shows. His performance of Malvolio in Twelfth Night was named the highlight of the entire two-year Kennedy Center Shakespeare Festival by the Washington Post. He attended the acting programs at Shakespeare & Company and Circle-in-the-Square, logged in well over 200 episodes of television, starred or costarred in a bouquet of films, plays, musicals, and Shakespeare on Broadway and in London, and developed a passion for Greek revival architecture.
Review :
"The Doldrums is delightful! What a wonderful ride of a book!"
-- "Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times bestselling author "
"[A] warm and witty debut...a tale of true friendship. Each breaks out of his or her own prison in unusual ways so that together the trio accomplishes far more than they could have on their own."
-- "Shelf Awareness"
"A dreamy charmer of a book, full of clever wordplay that practically demands it be read out loud."
-- "New York Times"
"Amusing, heartwarming, and zany."
-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"
"Bronson Pinchot's exhilarating performance is filled with versatile and evocative character voices....With a delightful French accent, Pinchot captures Adelaide's soft voice and gentle personality. His eclectic assortment of voices, full of personality, reveal the characters' larger-than-life attributes--especially those of the brash, boisterous, somewhat unhinged Mrs. Murkley. Pinchot's effervescent performance and spot-on character portrayals highlight not only the irony and humor but also the poignant themes of this heartwarming story. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award."
-- "AudioFile"
"Quippy quotes, whimsically meandering exposition, and penchant for the gently absurd breathe life into his three main characters...A tender tale of friendship, untapped courage, and accidental adventure, filled with the spirit of exploration."
-- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"
"This whimsical coming-of-age story has a touch of mystery that will endear it to fans of Roald Dahl."
-- "School Library Journal"
