Interview with Les Berman author of The Power of the Blue Medallion

“The Power of the Blue Medallion”

By Les Berman

BOOK SYNOPSIS

This Captivating novel follows the wild adventures of three charismatic young aliens from the distant planet Hebutar, and their companion on Earth. Zytor, the son of the ruler of Hebutar, is determined to stop a group
of terrorists from causing chaos in the United States. Against his father’s wishes, Zytor travels to Earth and meets a young girl, Tandy, whose father was killed by terrorists. Zytor’s sister Phelena, a Captain in the Hebutarian Military and a fellow soldier, are dispatched by her father to bring Zytor back to Hebutar before he mingles into the affairs of Planet Earth. While tracking down the terrorist, Zytor gets his medallion stolen (a powerful weapon), forcing him to team up with his sister and devise plans to retrieve the medallion, and help authorities stop the evil terrorists from executing a terrible attack in Washington D.C.




Joining us today is Les Berman, author of The Power of the Blue Medallion. We’re going to talk to Les about his new book The Power of the Blue Medallion and learn how it can help educate teens.


Welcome, Les. It’s great to have you with us.

Thanks for inviting me, Renee.

Q: Please tell our readers a bit about yourself.

A: Well, I’m in my third years as a retired math teacher. I’m keeping busy coaching high school track and field athletes, one of which received a full scholarship from UC Berkley. I coached many International and Olympic Athletes of the years. I am also in the process in writing another action thriller with math problems related to the story.

Q: When did you decide to start writing?

A: I was teaching seventh grade math at Haskell Middle School in Cerritos, California, trying different ways in which to motivate my students. One day I just came up with the thought that if I could relate math problems to an exciting story, students would be more apt to think about math in their everyday lives. And that was the start of my writing career.

Q: Where did the idea for The Power of the Blue Medallion come from?

A: That’s a good question, Renee. I very much enjoy reading action thrillers, and after reading a couple of Harry Potter novels, I came up with the idea of combing fantasy with adventure and intrigue.

Q: Can you tell us about your book?

A: This novel follows the wild adventures of three charismatic young aliens from the distant planet Hebutar, and their companion on Earth. Zytor, the son of the ruler of Hebutar, is determined to stop a group of terrorists from causing chaos in the United States. Against his father’s wishes, Zytor travels to Earth and meets a young girl, Tandy, whose father was killed by terrorists. Zytor’s sister Phelena, a Captain in the Hebutarian Military and a fellow soldier, are dispatched by her father to bring Zytor back to Hebutar before he mingles into the affairs of Planet Earth. While tracking down the terrorist, Zytor gets his medallion stolen (a powerful weapon), forcing him to team up with his sister and devise plans to retrieve the medallion, and help authorities stop the evil terrorists from executing a terrible attack in Washington D.C.

Q: Tell us about your main characters. How can readers relate to them? What will they like about them?

A: Zytor is a stubborn, yet good-hearted young boy who contently has disagreements with his father. His fascination with planet earth and helping their people deal with terrorist elicit continual conflict within his family. Readers will easily relate to this age-old conflict within families.Tandy is a very smart, determined teenage earth girl whose father was killed by terrorist. Realizing Zyor is her only hope to avenge her father’s death, she teams up with him in search of the terroris. Phelena, the sister of Zytor is a young military officer whose close relationship had changed in the recent years. Brought together in the search for the Blue Medallion, their relationship matures and respect grows between them. Everyone has dreams of being heroic at one time or another. I am sure the read will be completely absorbed in this adventure these teenagers experience.

Q: What age group is your book aimed for?

A: I wrote the novel for sixth grade through high school. But I’m finding many adults have told me they really have enjoyed the book.


Q: Readers come with a variety of likes and dislikes. What did you do to make The Power of the Blue Medallion appeal to a diverse audience? What is unique about it?

A: Both male and female readers can relate to the protagonists in the story. I also attempted to keep the reader in suspense as the adventure develops. I believe the story is unique by having young aliens in the pursuit of terrorist on earth. Also adding math problems related to the story and relating problems to the High School Exit Exam would be different and a valuable tool for students.

Q: Where can readers purchase copies of The Power of the Blue Medallion?

A: Readers can purchase the novel from my Website: www.ThePowerOfTheBlueMedallion.com or http://www.novelwithmath.com/. Readers can also download the novel with the Amazon Kendle or the Apple ipad with an Amazon App.

Q: In what ways is your book available to the public? Hardcover, soft cover, etc…

A: The book is available in soft cover or as a download.

Q: Do you have a website, facebook and/or blog, twitter page that fans of your book can follow you on?

A: Readers can follow me on facebook and twitter.

Q: What is next for you? Any new books in the works?

A: I’m currently in the process in writing a mystery with students attempting to solve a complicated plot twisting jewel robbery.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: I hope readers will leave comments on my website after reading the book. I especially would like to here comments from student needing help on the math section of the High School Exit Exam.

Thank you for speaking with us today, Les. We hope to hear more about The Power of the Blue Medallion soon.

Thank you for inviting me to talk about my novel. I’m looking forward to reading the comments on my website.

Les is on Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours. To find out more about where he will be touring please check out his tour schedule at the following link. Thanks Everyone!

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2010/09/06/the-power-of-the-blue-medallion-virtual-book-tour-september-2010/