New Release Books by Geoff Rodkey

Sometimes all it takes to bring a family together is the possible end of the world Meet the Altman family. Fifty-something Dan is struggling to cope with a mid-life career change. MBA-educated wife and mother Jen has dealt with life’s disappointments by becoming a closet alcoholic. Seventeen-year-old Chloe is obsessing about getting into the right university and her state tennis semifinals. Fourteen-year-old Max is trying to figure out when he can next sneak a puff on his beloved vape and plotting revenge on the school bully. They’re a normal family with normal problems. Until, one day, the lights go out. Mobile phones don't work. Lights, laptops, cars, trains – anything that uses electricity – just stops. And what happens next will change everything… Funny and heart-warming, Lights Out in Lincolnwood is the story of one ordinary family and their unexpected adventure of a lifetime ‘Thrilling, heartfelt, humorous and wonderfully original. Lights Out in Lincolnwood takes a darkly wry look at just what happens when ordinary meets extraordinary. I loved it' Chris Whitaker ‘One of the best books we’ve read in a long time’ Bella ‘This is a heartwarming read that we couldn’t put down’Closer 'Utterly addictive' Victoria Selman 'A darkly comic and refreshingly unique story' Lisa Hall

Stand-up comedian and Hollywood box-office hit Kevin Hart keeps the laughs coming in an illustrated middle-grade novel about a boy who has big dreams of making a blockbuster superhero film.

Cavemen! A saber-toothed tiger! And . . . a Rockball tournament? This laugh-out-loud time-travel adventure (inspired by a real kid's idea) doubles as a creative writing guide for young writers! Tom Edison (no, not that Tom Edison) is a hopeful janitor who dreams of becoming a scientist--and Dr. Morice is a shy scientist who dreams of making friends. When an accident at the lab sends them back in time to the stone age, Tom and Dr. Morice must work together to face down cavemen, saber-tooth tigers, and other B.C. hazards, with only one problem: Tom isn't very good at science, and Dr. Morice isn't very good with people. "Changing kids' lives, one story at a time" is the motto of the Story Pirates, a group of performers who bring kids' writing to life through sketch comedy. Stuck in the Stone Age is an action-packed adventure based on an idea from a real kid! Teaming up with New York Times bestselling author, Geoff Rodkey, the Story Pirates present this hilarious story, which doubles as an introduction to the basics of creative writing. With the help of Story Pirate Captain Vincent Rolo and the Story Creation Zone, readers can use this novel as inspiration to create their OWN great adventure!

Imagine being forced to move to a new planet where YOU are the alien! From the creator of the Tapper Twins, New York Times bestselling author Geoff Rodkey delivers a topical, sci-fi middle-grade novel that proves friendship and laughter can transcend even a galaxy of differences. The first time I heard about Planet Choom, we'd been on Mars for almost a year. But life on the Mars station was grim, and since Earth was no longer an option (we may have blown it up), it was time to find a new home. That's how we ended up on Choom with the Zhuri. They're very smart. They also look like giant mosquitos. But that's not why it's so hard to live here. There's a lot that the Zhuri don't like: singing (just ask my sister, Ila), comedy (one joke got me sent to the principal's office), or any kind of emotion. The biggest problem, though? The Zhuri don't like us. And if humankind is going to survive, it's up to my family to change their minds. No pressure.

Told as a series of interviews, photos, texts, social media hits, and videogame screenshots, The Tapper Twins Go Viral is a laugh-a-page story about online fame and shame, with internet pro-tips and a serious lesson about digital citizenship. Claudia Tapper just doesn't get it: How is it possible that the video of the best breakup song she's ever written is watched by virtually nobody, when her brother Reese's completely moronic 2-second clip of an video game wipeout ends up being the hottest thing online at Culvert Prep? Unfortunately, Claudia's bold declaration of injustice sets the stage for the bet of her life: Which of the Tapper twins can get more online followers in a week? She had better top Reese's rapidly escalating popularity or she can kiss her social life goodbye if she loses the bet and is forced to post the most embarrassing video imaginable!

In their third uproarious oral history, the Tapper Twins take their sibling feud to the political stage as they race to become class president! Told as a series of interviews, screenshots, text messages, and social media bursts, The Tapper Twins Run For President tops the antics of the real 2016 elections! Claudia Tapper wants to become President of the United States someday. She's the sixth grade class president, and has every reason to presume she'll get reelected. Reese Tapper could not care less about student government--until he learns becoming class president is his best shot at overturning a hated new rule. And thus, the greatest political rivalry in Culvert Prep history is born! In a tangle of evil-genius advisors, meddlesome best-friends, negative campaign attacks and outrageously funny missteps, Claudia and Reese duke it out to see who will rule the school.

In the follow up to the New York Times bestseller The Tapper Twins Go to War, the twins' school scavenger hunt turns into a "madcap, uproarious romp around the Big Apple" full of "action, hilarity, and mayhem" (School Library Journal). Geoff Rodkey delivers another pitch-perfect ultra-modern comedy told as oral history with texts, screenshots and smartphone photos. When Claudia initiates a citywide scavenger hunt to raise money for charity, it's not just the twins' opposing teams that run riot. With the whole school racing to trade in sights seen for points to score front row tickets at Madison Square Garden, they may not get to the finish line with their dignity--and social lives--intact!

The Tapper twins' scavenger hunt takes cutthroat competition to hilarious new heights! In the follow up to The Tapper Twins Go to War, Geoff Rodkey delivers another ultra-modern comedy told as oral history with texts, screenshots and smartphone photos. When Claudia initiates a citywide scavenger hunt to raise money for charity, it's not just the twins' opposing teams that run riot. With the whole school racing to trade in sights seen for points to score front row tickets at Madison Square Garden, they may not get to the finish line with their dignity-and social lives-intact!

This bestselling first book in the Tapper Twins series is a hilariously authentic showcase of what it's like to be in middle school in our digitally-saturated world, told as a colorful "oral history" with photos, screenshots, text messages, chat logs, and online gaming digital art. Twelve-year-old twins, Claudia and Reese, who couldn't be more different...except in their determination to come out on top in a vicious prank war. But when the competition escalates into an all-out battle that's fought from the cafeteria of their New York City private school all the way to the fictional universe of an online video game, the twins have to decide if their efforts to destroy each other are worth the price. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly declared "This uproarious series opener... is packed with both laugh-out-loud moments and heart." Don't miss the further adventures of the Tapper Twins in The Tapper Twins Tear Up New York, The Tapper Twins Run for President, and The Tapper Twins Go Viral.

“This is a rip-roaring debut… I highly recommend you grab a copy… The best way I can describe it is Lemony Snicket meets Pirates of the Caribbean, with a sprinkling of Tom Sawyer for good measure.”—RICK RIORDAN, New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series on Deadweather and Sunrise. After narrowly escaping the New Lands, Egg is determined to take down ruthless slave trader Roger Pembroke. But war is brewing among the Blue Sea's pirate gangs—and Egg, Guts, and Kira are running out of time to find the Fire King’s treasure and free the Okalu slaves from the silver mine on Sunrise. Can they save Kira’s people before Sunrise is plundered by Ripper Jones’s pirates? Will Burn Healy save the day, or has the legendary captain finally met his match? And will Egg ever win back Millicent from the annoyingly handsome Cyril? This explosive conclusion to Egg’s journey delivers the ultimate combination of humor, heart, and white-knuckle adventure.

New Lands is the deadly island where the Fire King buried his last treasure. Unlikely duo Egg and Guts have the only map and the ruthless Roger Pembroke is after them. He has already killed Egg's entire family and will do anything to find the treasure first. They can trust no one. Notorious pirate Burn Healy is being a little too nice. Kira the beautiful refugee is suspiciously good with a gun. Even Millicent, Egg's one true love, could be plotting against them. The race is on - and, hidden in the island's shadows, a shocking surprise awaits them all . . .

Chronicles of Egg: Blue Sea Burning by Geoff Rodkey is the third and final installment to this hilarious and exquisitely written swashbuckling adventure series. After narrowly escaping the New Lands, Egg is determined to take down ruthless slave trader Roger Pembroke. But war is brewing among the Blue Sea's pirate gangs-and Egg, Guts, and Kira are running out of time to find the Fire King's treasure and free the Okalu slaves from the silver mine on Sunrise. Can they save Kira's people before Sunrise is plundered by Ripper Jones's pirates? Will Burn Healy save the day, or has the legendary captain finally met his match? And will Egg ever win back Millicent from the annoyingly handsome Cyril? This explosive conclusion to Egg's journey delivers the ultimate combination of humor, heart, and white-knuckle adventure. Praise for Geoff Rodkey: 'This is a rip-roaring debut. It is Lemony Snicket meets Pirates of the Caribbean, with a sprinkling of Tom Sawyer for good measure.' - Rick Riordan, author of the bestselling PERCY JACKSON series. Geoff Rodkey is a successful screenwriter, whose hits include RV (starring Robin Williams) and Daddy Daycare (starring Eddie Murphy). As well as contributing to MTV's seminal animated series Beavis and Butt-head, Geoff received an Emmy nomination for his work on Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect. Deadweather and Sunrise, the first book in The Chronicles of Egg series has been shortlisted for the prestigious Waterstones Children's Book Prize.

DEADWEATHER, a sweaty little pirate-infested island, is home to EGG, thirteen years old and prey to a pair of cruel and stupid older siblings. But when Egg's family disappears in a freak accident, he finds himself living on SUNRISEisland with the glamorous Pembroke family and their feisty daughter Millicent. Finally, life seems perfect. Until someone tries to throw him off a cliff. Suddenly, Egg is lost in a world of cutthroat pirates and powerful villains. Only Millicent - and a one-handed, possibly deranged cabin boy - can help him as he hurtles into the deadliest adventure of his life . . .

The Chronicles of Egg: Newlands is the highly-anticipated sequel to Geoff Rodkey's Waterstones Children's Book Prize-shortlisted hilarious debut Deadweather and Sunrise. A thrilling and rollicking pirate adventure for all readers of 9+ After barely escaping the island of Deadweather, Egg and his new friend, Guts, head to the uncharted islands of the New Lands. They are being hunted by a dangerous villain, but Egg is confident they will uncover the truth about the Fire King's treasure - until he gets a shocking surprise that will change everything . . . Praise for Geoff Rodkey: 'This is a rip-roaring debut. It is Lemony Snicket meets Pirates of the Caribbean, with a sprinkling of Tom Sawyer for good measure.' - Rick Riordan, author of the bestselling PERCY JACKSON series. Geoff Rodkey is a successful screenwriter, whose hits include RV (starring Robin Williams) and Daddy Daycare (starring Eddie Murphy). As well as contributing to MTV's seminal animated series Beavis and Butt-head, Geoff received an Emmy nomination for his work on Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect. Deadweather and Sunrise, the first book in The Chronicles of Egg series has been shortlisted for the prestigious Waterstones Children's Book Prize. www.chroniclesofegg.com @GeoffRodkey