About the Author:
Dietlof Reiche's middle-grade and young adult novels have garnered many awards in his native Germany, including the German Juvenile Literature Award and the Oldenburg's Children's Book Prize.
Born in Dresden, Germany, in 1942, Reiche spent his early childhood in the village of Nördlingen, the town where his first historical novel Der Bleisiegelfälscher (The Lead Seal Counterfeiter), is set. Before becoming a full-time writer of children's books, Reiche studied engineering. He later took an academic position at Darmstadt Technical University, followed by studies in sociology, and work as a graphic designer.
Many of Reiche's books are historical fiction, but he also enjoys mixing history with fantastic elements, and often brings his wonderful sense of humor and his concern for the environment to his books.
In Reiche's exciting new novel Ghost Ship, he blends contemporary life with history and the supernatural to create one captivating adventure. His Golden Hamster Saga series: I, Freddy; Freddy in Peril; Freddy to the Rescue; and the forthcoming, Freddy and the Ferocious Ferrets is hilariously narrated by Freddy the Golden hamster, and was inspired by memories of the numerous pet hamsters Reiche had as a child.
Dietlof Reiche lives with his wife in Hamburg, Germany.
Mr Cepeda received his BFA in illustration from California State University, Long Beach in 1992 and also studied Engineering at Cornell University. He is the illustrator of awarding-winning picture books such as What a Truly Cool World and Nappy Hair.
From School Library Journal:
Grade 3-5–In this, the latest adventure in Freddy Auratus's life, he hears a call of distress from a tribe of local field hamsters. The mayor of the city is determined to build an automobile plant directly over their home, regardless of the little creatures' lives. In the hopes of relocating and saving his rural cousins, Freddy rushes to help, accompanied by his faithful cat and guinea pig friends. Along the way he must convince his oversized brethren to trust him, have a word with some animal conservationists, and resist the almost irresistible urge to kill those prankster guinea pigs, Enrico and Caruso. Far stronger than the second book in the series, this book marks a return to the strengths found in I, Freddy (Scholastic, 2003). Readers will have little difficulty catching up with the protagonist's escapades, even if they are unfamiliar with the previous books. Kids will find this to be a genuinely funny tale. Reiche's narrative jumps between the past and present work especially well and, as always, Cepeda's illustrations are irresistible. A strong addition to an already enjoyable series.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
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