Wisconsin middle grade children’s book author receives two prestigious international Eric Hoffer Book Awards
May 21, 2019–Glendale, Wis. Children’s book author, Lora Hyler is celebrating receipt of two awards in the prestigious international Eric Hoffer Book Awards for her debut middle grade novel, The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes. The author was a winner in the middle reader category, receiving honorable mention accolades. The book was also awarded finalist status for book cover design. Illustrator Ian Wade lives in Barbados.
Approximately 2,000 entrants participated in the 2019 Eric Hoffer Book Awards named after the great American philosopher. The Awards are designed to honor his memory by highlighting salient writing and the independent spirit of small publishers, and has become one of the largest international book awards for small, academic and independent presses.
The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes was published in March 2018 by HenschelHAUS Publishing. The novel features multicultural superheroes working on the new CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in their advanced 7th grade science classroom. They share a love of spy gadgets. International goons spy on their every move in an attempt to steal their data secrets, leading to a showdown at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.
The US Review of Books posts the annual judging results. Here’s an excerpt of remarks from a contest reviewer:
“Yes, smart kids, who love science and books, can live exciting and adventurous lives. Beneath their nerdy interests may exist special powers beyond their imagination. Mighty Marty Hayes, a twelve year-old lover of science and magic, shows this and more in his adventures as a seventh grader in love with the scientific pursuit of gene-editing technology. Marty has inherited special powers from his Grandmother. What he and his friends need to learn, however, is that any power, scientific or super hero, must be respected and controlled to serve good over evil.”
“I’m thrilled to receive the Eric Hoffer Book Award in two categories,” said Lora Hyler. “The Award is fantastic recognition for writers, illustrators and small publishing companies. Without them, many great books would not get out into the world and into the hands of children who need them.”
For more visit: lorahylercreative.com
Lora Hyler is a resident of Glendale, Wis., and a former radio news journalist, at NPR affiliate, WUWM, and ABC affiliate, WISN, both in Milwaukee. She has also served as a community commentator at NBC television affiliate, Today’s TMJ4 in Milwaukee, and worked as an executive speechwriter, and corporate communications manager. She currently owns Hyler Communications, a public relations and marketing firm founded in 2001. Her goal is for all children to enjoy adventure stories like those she remembers from her own childhood, and to see themselves reflected within the pages of a book.
