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Michael Bowler

Michael Bowler

About

Michael J. Bowler grew up in San Rafael, California.

He majored in English and Theatre at Santa Clara University and earned a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount and another master's in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills.

He partnered with two friends as producer, writer, and/or director on several ultra-low-budget horror films, the reviews of which are much more fun than the movies.

He taught high school in Hawthorne, California for twenty-five years, both in general education and to students with learning disabilities, in subjects ranging from English and Strength Training to Algebra, Biology, and Yearbook.

He has also been a volunteer Big Brother to seven different boys with the Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters program and a nearly thirty-year volunteer within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles.  He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, something that is sorely lacking in this state.

He has been honored as Probation Volunteer of the Year, YMCA Volunteer of the Year, California Big Brother of the Year, and National Big Brother of the Year. The “National” honor allowed he and three of his Little Brothers to visit the White House and meet the president in the Oval Office.

 

Peter and the Whimper-Whineys

Peter and the Whimper-Whineys

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Description

<span style="line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, 'sans-serif';font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Peter and the Whimper-Whineys is about a small rabbit who whines all the time. His mother cautions him that if he keeps on whining and crying, he’ll have to go live with the Whimper-Whineys. One night Peter hops into the dark forest.<span>  </span>He meets some Whimper-Whineymen and discovers that not only do the Whimper-Whineys whine all the time, but they are very ill-mannered and rude. He discovers that everything is sour in Whimper-Whineyland and decides his mother was right! If only he can get back home… a recent critique, “Though there are other books out there for children about whining, I cannot imagine any parent or guardian not wanting to read this book to their child!... <span> </span>Parents everywhere applaud you!” </span></span>

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Reviews

<p><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"><i>&quot;Spinner</i> incorporates elements of horror into a young adult read that is riveting and centered upon powerful protagonists that are well-drawn. The 'added value' in this story...lies in its...scenes that take the trappings of teen horror and turn them into something much more developed. </span><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">Young adult to adult readers will find </span><i style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">Spinner</i><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> compelling and vivid.&quot; - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review</span></p> <p><br style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">&quot;I admire the author's bluntness in creating a world where the reader does not sense a safety net around the main characters, preventing them from permanent peril. This is a genuinely entertaining and gripping novel with truly solid characters.&quot; - Gwendolyn Billings, age 17, for LitPick</span></p> <div style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> </div> <div style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">&quot;Michael J. Bowler created a fantastic YA novel with Spinner, and I enjoyed every single page of it. His writing style is unmistakable, so if you have read other books by this author you'll feel right at home. If not, the book will make you want to read his other books, too. Michael manages to include many topics within the story, from bullying, to dealing with being in a special education class, to what it is like to be in love with someone who does not love you the same way, and much more.&quot;  - Kim Anisi for Reader's Favorite</div> <div style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> </div> <div style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">&quot;I would highly recommend this book to my friends. I found it to be an amazing read.&quot; - Lucy, age 15, for LitPick</div> <div style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> </div> <div style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">&quot;Bowler effectively compensates for the overgrown garden of his imagination by communicating a thoughtful, sincere empathy for kids with disabilities. He depicts his special needs kids not as victims but as real heroes. There are few worthier goals for a novelist, and his attempt here is largely successful.  Will both warm the heart and chill the spine.&quot; Kirkus Reviews</div>