Noblemania: Bill Finger and Linus van Pelt

I'm an author of more than 70 books. "Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman" received multiple starred reviews and made the front page of "USA Today." "Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman" led to a TED talk, was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" and in "Forbes," and made best-of-the-year lists at "USA Today," MTV, and "Washington Post."

Every book offers two stories—the one in print and the one behind the scenes. This blog shares those latter stories, from research adventures to promotion gambles.

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

bold = recently added or modified

- 6/7/13 Rosedale Library, Washington DC; 1:30 p.m.
- 6/12/13 Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, Washington DC; 4:30 p.m.
- 6/27/13 Shenandoah University Children's Literature Conference, Winchester, VA
- 7/2/13 Lamond-Riggs Library, Washington DC; 4 p.m.
- 7/24/13 MLK Teen Space, Washington DC; 4 p.m.
- 8/10/13 Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, Hunt Valley, MD; presentation
- 9/26-28/13 Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival, Seward, NE
- 10/3/13 school visit, Greenwich, CT
- 10/4/13 school visit, Mamaroneck, NY
- 10/11-13/13 Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, TN
- 10/14/13 school visit, Sandy, UT
- 11/7-8/13 school visits, Westport, CT
- 11/9/13 Pequot Library Children's Festival, Southport, CT
- 11/22/13 National Council of Teachers of English Convention, Boston, MA; nonfiction panel, 11 a.m., Hynes 206
- 12/4/13 University Club book fair, Washington DC
- 4/3/14 State of Maryland International Reading Association Conference (SoMIRAC), Hunt Valley, MD; two presentations, one evening panel

Praise for "Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman"

best of the year/gift guides:

USA Today

Washington Post

MTV Geek

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Fuse #8 (School Library Journal) "100 Magnificent Children's Books of 2012"

Tablet

Mara Alpert of the Los Angeles Public Library

other coverage:

My TED talk about Bill Finger and the tragedy of creators’ rights

My interview on NPR’s All Things Considered

“Fast paced...fun...impressive and fascinating. A must-have.”

—Forbes

“Fiendishly clever.”

—MTV Geek

“Excellent.”

—Washington Post

“Buy this book; it’s a great read.”

—WIRED GeekDad

“Unique…eye-catching...engagingly told…complex and thorough…will be a hit.”

—School Library Journal

“Seriously researched...so memorable...lush, emotive brushwork...[the book] will make the lasting impression [Bill Finger] deserves.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Bold...dynamic...a fitting tribute.”

—Booklist

“Eye-opening and quietly tragic.”

—Connect the Pop on School Library Journal

“Purposefully and meaningfully (and beautifully) written.”

—Michael Uslan, executive producer of The Dark Knight Rises and every previous Batman movie since 1989 (unsolicited email)

“Absolutely fascinating...amazing research.”

—Comic Book Resources

A Junior Library Guild Selection

more on reviews

Praise for "Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman"

Honors

An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book 2009

A Junior Library Guild Selection

A Children’s Choices title 2009

A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens 2009

An Association for Library Service to Children Notable Children’s Book 2009

A Sydney Taylor Notable Book of Jewish Content 2009

Kirkus Reviews “best of 2008” list

New York Public Library’s “100 Titles for Reading and Sharing” 2008

more on honors

Starred reviews

“Vibrant and well-researched...Nobleman details this achievement with a zest amplified by MacDonald’s...punchy illustrations.”
—Publishers Weekly

“[T]his robust treatment does [Shuster and Siegel’s] story justice.”
—Booklist

“The battle for truth and justice is truly never-ending.”
—Kirkus Reviews

Other coverage

USA Today cover story, Life section

“[N]o library in the world could object to the book’s style and panache. [T]his is one biography that’s going to lure the kids like nothing else. More fun than any children’s biography has any right to be.”
—A Fuse #8 Production (School Library Journal blog; four out of five stars)

“Fascinating.”
—Horn Book

“Sure to become a classic example of the genre.”
—Families Online

“Wonderful…young readers…will find this…title appealing and thereby ensure that future generations recall the amazing story behind Superman’s creation as well. Wait, did I say ‘recall’? Strike that—make it ‘will be inspired by’ instead. This book is that good.”
—Firefox News

“[T]ouching... The illustrated section...is upbeat, entertaining, and informative...the [well-crafted] afterword shows the shadow side of the great American dream. ...Nobleman is equally adept at both stories.”
—Boston Globe

“Surprisingly poignant.”
—San Francisco Chronicle

“Haunting.”
—Geek Monthly

“Excellent.”
—GeekDad (a WIRED blog)

“A-minus.”
—A.V. Club (the entertainment review arm of The Onion)

“The best and most accurate depiction of their lives in print.”
—Brad Ricca, documentary filmmaker, Last Son

“Engrossing...wonderful.”
—Scripps Howard News Service

“I was completely mesmerized by this book from the first instant I opened it. I loved every page, and every word. Boys of Steel transported me; it made me feel young; it moved me to tears. Honest to God, it did! It caused my black heart to melt. The book is absolutely fantastic, the book is tremendous, the book is a huge achievement.”
—Robby Reed, DIAL B for BLOG

“Expertly crafted...entertaining and good looking...a real winner.”
—Tripwire

“I have to praise this wonderful book. It has something for children and adults, fans of comics and otherwise...I don’t use the word a lot, but the book is very charming.”
—PLAYBACK:stl

“Terrific...elegantly laid down.”
—Comics Waiting Room

“A solid introduction to the history of Superman’s creation.”

—School Library Journal

“A lively read.”

—Connecticut Post

“Super, bouncy, fun, and interesting.”
—Fairfield County Weekly

“Spectacular.”
—Young Adult Books Central (four out of five stars)

more on reviews

Noblemania

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Bill Finger and Linus van Pelt

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