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What the publisher says
The books
American Series
Background
What the critics say
What readers say
JLG Reading Guide
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The Blade Series
"Nobody in children's writing is producing anything like this." Bookbag
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Tim Bowler talks about Blade
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"From the Carnegie Medal-winning author of River Boy, Starseeker and Frozen Fire comes something completely different. Contemporary, pacy, and utterly gripping, Blade takes you on a roller-coaster ride through the secret, dangerous life of its unforgettable narrator. This thrilling new series for teenagers combines an enormously likable and engaging central character with the harsh realities of street life and the youth gang culture that is so prevalent in today's news. The mysteries and cliffhanger endings of these short, accessible books will have the power to tempt all readers as they gradually become absorbed into Blade's dangerous world." Oxford University Press
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The first seven books in the series are now available in the shops. The remaining title, Book 8 (Blade: Risking All), will appear in September 2010.
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Tim Bowler talks about Blade
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The British Blade series runs over 8 books: Playing Dead, Closing In, Breaking Free, Running Scared, Fighting Back, Mixing It, Cutting Loose, Risking All. The American series consists of the above books but binds two titles into one, thus making it a 4-book series. Book 1 in America is called Playing Dead and consists of the British titles Playing Dead and Closing In. Book 2 is called Out of the Shadows and consists of the British titles Breaking Free and Running Scared. Books 3 and 4 will cover the remaining 4 UK books and are yet to be titled.
The planned publication schedule of the American BLADE series is:
| May 27, 2010 | | Blade 1 (Paperback Edition) | | June 24, 2010 | | Blade 2 (Hardcover Edition) | | Feb 17, 2011 | | Blade 2 (Paperback Edition) | | April 14, 2011 | | Blade 3 (Hardcover Edition) | | Summer 2011 | | Blade 3 (Paperback Edition) | | Summer 2011 | | Blade 4 (Hardcover Edition) | | Spring 2012 | | Blade 4 (Paperback Edition) |
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"The BLADE series is an odyssey about a fourteen-year-old boy with a dangerous past and an uncertain future. I have tried to write a pacy thriller that not only focuses upon an engaging central character but also touches upon issues that concern me: gang culture, the exploitation of young people in fragmented communities, youth violence, and especially knife crime. It horrifies me to think of young people using knives and while I am a storyteller rather than a crusader, I cannot deny that one of my reasons for writing the BLADE series was to try to show young readers that you cannot wield a knife without devastating consequences both for your victims and yourself. Knives have nothing to do with honour or respect. They are instruments of pain, mutilation and death and the use of them requires a committed act of personal savagery. The BLADE series does not glorify, romanticise or in any way exalt the knife but seeks instead to show the hideous reality of knife culture. The boy at the heart of the story has lived by violence but he is not a thug. He is smart, articulate, even likable, and he's in terrible danger. His enemies are closing in, he's becoming increasingly haunted by guilt for the things he's done, and he's struggling to find some kind of redemption. His life now hangs in the balance." Tim Bowler
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‘Nobody in children's writing is producing anything like this. It's electrifying.’ The Bookbag 'Yet another captivating creation from Tim Bowler.’ Lovereading ‘My heart felt as if it was a lot further up than its normal position as I raced through Blade.’ Bookwitch ‘A gripping story.’ Julia Eccleshare ‘The tension is palpable and anyone who starts this book will not be able to stop.’ Cindy Mitchell, Kiss the Book ‘Sharply written without a wasted word.’ Irish Independent ‘An intense, gripping story.’ Publishers Weekly ‘Bowler's use of short, clipped sentences creates a breathless tone that keeps readers on edge and turning pages at breakneck speed.’ Patricia McClune, School Library Journal ‘Fast and addictive. I’ve already picked up the second book, Closing In, and I’m itching to get my hands on Breaking Free.’ David Maybury 'An addictive blend of paranoia and suspense.' The Horn Book 'Stunning new thriller' Becky Stradwick, Publishing News 'A fast read . . . full of suspense' Books for Keeps 'It was a thrilling and exhilarating novel and I would give it 10 out of 10 in a star rating.' Lee Mein, Firrhill High, Teen Titles 'As sharp as its title suggests, this is a relentless and brilliant page turner.' The Bookseller
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'I have just finished reading books one and two of Blade, and thought they were both sensational. The ending to book two was fantastic, so fantastic, that I ordered books three and four straight after finishing book 2. I can't wait to read books three and four. Thank you sooooo much for writing the best books I have ever read in my life time.' Charlotte 'Your first book in the Blade series in AMAZING!!!!!! It took me a day to read because I really couldn't put it down!' Emily 'I have started reading Blade!!!! IT IS AMAZING!!!! Thanks.' Tarun 'I love your Blade series. I have read the first two books and I can't wait to read the third one. I never used to read books till you read Blade at my school. Now my mum and dad can't get me to put a book down. I can't wait to read the next Blade book.' Gemma 'I love your books. I am currently reading Blade. It's the best book I have read so far.' Alfie 'Tim, your book Blade: Playing Dead is really good. When I read it, I cannot put it down. Before I started reading your book, I wouldn't read a single book. Thank you very much for everything.' Rebecca
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The American Edition of Blade: Playing Dead, which includes Blade: Playing Dead and Blade: Closing In, was published in 2009. It was chosen to be part of the Summer 2009 collection of The Junior Library Guild of America. The Junior Library Guild began in 1929 as a children's version of the Literary Guild and has a trusted reputation amongst librarians. The Guild's Book Club is used by libraries across America to select books that engage young minds and foster a love of books and reading.
JLG Reading Guides are written by people with experience in the classroom, in libraries, or in educational and children’s book publishing. The guides are delivered electronically in PDF format so that they can be downloaded for library and classroom use. Each guide is fully reproducible. The JLG has published the Blade: Playing Dead - JLG Reading Guide which offers background information about Tim, the genre, and literary story elements. Topics that are reinforced include: • realistic fiction genre study
• characterization study (protagonist, antagonist, static, dynamic)
• making connections between the novel and real life
• understanding slang from another country (Great Britain)
• making inferences and demonstrating cause and effect
• making connections between the novel and personal issues
Library, research, and character-development activities are also included.
Order the Blade: Playing Dead Reading Guide
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Visit the OUP Blade Mini-site.
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This page last updated: 03/04/2010 |
