Here Is Where I . . . Wield a Really Big Sword

Gideon Thump knows magic abounds in his town, that a tight crew of his classmates are secretly champions of the light and face down evil on a daily basis. All he needs is proof.He foolishly trails their leader and soon finds himself no longer a simple observer. Dropped inadvertently into the role of the major hero, with heavy sword and all, Gideon must win over a supporting cast that blames him for the loss of one of their own, while facing down magical baddies that are thoroughly modern and a little absurd.Making matters worse, his annoying cousin moves in with him and runs afoul of magic herself. With a sinister foe dead set on harvesting Gideon's fledgling magic, he must rally the troops and employ his addled wits to carve out a destiny that doesn't result in him shuffling off this mortal coil.

I am a 5th grade teacher in North Carolina whose comic book work has garnered praise from the likes of Lincoln Child, Mark Crilley and Piers Anthony. One of my projects, IMAGINATION ROCKET, even received an Eisner nomination. I have done numerous author talks on brainstorming with odd pairings, changing expectations and randomizing through both public schools and libraries.