This month's author is particularly exciting because on the 3rd of May he will be visiting NOVA. Dominic Carrillo is a teacher and an award-winning freelance writer from California. He attended graduate school at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he began creative writing. Carrillo currently lives in Bulgaria where he teaches English at the Anglo-American School of Sofia.
Carrillo's first published works were the adult titles, To Be Frank Diego and Americano Abroad. More recently he has published his first two titles for teenage readers.
The Improbable Rise of Paco Jones is Carrillo's debut young adult novel and was awarded the San Diego Book Award. The work is a coming-of-age story which follows the realistic, funny, and at times sad journey of protagonist Paco Jones, a bi-racial middle school student. Paco tries to navigate through 8th grade in a new school amidst racist bullying, his first love and his unexpected rise to popularity.
The Unusual Suspects is a coming-of-age adventure which is told from alternating perspectives. Nia is a romantic, literature-loving, fourteen year old who has run away from home and school to confront her ex-boyfriend. Kurt is a quirky, eighty-nine year old who is on a journey to Budapest to visit his dead wife. Their paths unexpectedly cross and throughout the course of the action packed, suspense filled novel, they form a remarkable bond.
NOVA 8th graders have enjoyed both Paco Jones and The Unusual Suspects over the past two months and they are very excited to meet the author for a Q&A session, writing workshop and a book signing. The 6th and 7th grade classes will also experience a creative writing workshop with Dominic Carrillo.
Both Paco Jones and The Unusual Suspects are available in the MS library. The content is advised for 8th grade students and above.