Curtis Parkinson
Biography:Curtis Parkinson grew up in Kingston, Ontario and began writing when he was in his early teens. His stories were published regularly in the high school yearbook but his yearning to be a writer somehow got sidetracked and he graduated in Chemical Engineering from Queens University instead. Looking for adventure, he took a job in South America and worked there for five years before returning to Canada and settling down to raising a family, working as an engineer in Winnipeg, Montreal and Toronto. After his children grew up, Curtis moved to the Caribbean where he lived on a sailboat and finally took up writing in earnest. At first all he got were rejections, but then the cat fell off the boat one night and the cat's story became his first published book, a picture book called Tom Foolery. More picture books as well as short stories were published, then his first young adult novel. Storm-Blast, a story about three teens adrift in the vast Caribbean Sea. It was nominated for a Red Cedar Award. Four more young adult novels followed: Sea Chase, a tale of a boy's desperate search for his father, missing from their sailboat in the night. It was nominated for an Arthur Ellis Award as well as a Red Cedar Award. Domenic's War, based on a true story of a 12-year-old Italian boy caught in the midst of one of the fiercest battles of the Second World War, was nominated for a Silver Birch Award and translated into Italian. Death In Kingsport, a murder mystery feautures a 15-year-old sleuth, his sidekick, Graham, and new friend Crescent, in a town where nothing is as it seems. The Castle On Deadman's Island, a sequel to Death In Kingsport published in April, tells the tale of a mysterious disappearance, a castle with a curse, and a most unusual will, a will that leads to murder and mayhem. Presentation Information:Presentations are tailored to the age level of the audience, and the author strives to keep the interest level high. Readings from the author's most recent novel The Castle on Deadman's Island are interspered with discussions about reading and writing from a fresh perspective. Some subjects covered are:
Book List / Discography:The Castle On Deadman's Island (Tundra Books, 2009) Death In Kingsport (Tundra Books, 2007) “Wings” in First Times (Tundra Books, 2007) Domenic's War (Tundra Books, 2006) Sea Chase (Tundra Books, 2004) Storm-Blast (Tundra Books, 2003 Emily's Eighteen Aunts. Illustrated by Sami Suomalainen. (Fitzhenry, 2002) Mr. Reez's Sneezes. Illustrated by Andrea Wayne von Konigslow. (Annick Press, Tom Foolery. Illustrated by Cathy Bobak. (Bradbury Press, 1993) The Double-Ender (The Antigonish Review, 1993) The Reluctant Alien (The New Quarterly, 1993) Awards:Domenic's War Sea Chase Storm-Blast Praise for Curtis Parkinson:"On behalf of the staff and patrons of the Hasting Highlands Public Library, I would like to take this opportunity to sing the praises of Curtis Parkinson. Mr. Parkinson has visited our library on numerous occasions to perform readings for many different audiences. Young and old have delighted in his telling of stories. We host a regular Seniors open house as well as intergenerational programs and classroom visits. Mr. Parkinson has been well received by all of these audiences and his books are favorites among our patrons. His young adult titles are chosen by teens and adults alike and his children's books never fail to delight." Julie Andrew-Jotham, CEO "In his latest mystery for young people, The Castle On Deadman's Island, Curtis Parkinson returns to his teen sleuths, Neil, Graham, and Crescent — last seen in Death In Kingsport... Our heroes' bonds of friendship provide a firm support for the reader to hold onto even as the author steers them again and again into danger and uncertainty. Though the novel is set during the Second World War Parkinson does not overburden the reader with history, providing just enough detail to let the period take on its own life as the narrative careens forward to its exciting climax...." Quill & Quire "The latest Kingsport mystery is definitely worth adding to the bookshelf. Parkinson has truly proven himself as a craftsman of suspense, and with indisputable certainty, Neil and Graham will be solving many more mysteries to come." —Highly Recommended, CM Magazine |
 Craft:author Genre:picture books, junior fiction, young adult fiction Ideal Audience Size:25 Maximum Audience Size:50, but flexible Grades:4 – 8 School Reading Fee:$150.00 per reading Public Reading Fee:$250.00 per reading (four readings covered by the Canada Council) Book Week Tour Contact:Manisha Khetarpal |