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Michael Scotto

Michael Scotto

About

Michael Scotto has worked as a filmmaker, a saxophone player, and an engineer’s assistant, but his true passion has always been writing. He received his MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University, and today, Mr. Scotto is the author of three novels for children and the Tales of Midlandia picture book and iPad app series. In 2011, he was selected by PITTSBURGH Magazine and PUMP to be one of the ‘Pittsburgh 40 Under 40,’ a group of forty people under the age of 40 who are helping to shape the Pittsburgh region.In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and photography. He has lived in New York, Georgia, and California, but today he happily calls Pittsburgh, PA his home. He lives in the city with his lovely wife and their crafty dog.

Dark Mind

Dark Mind

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Description

<p>A Serial Killer Plagues an Island Paradise<br /><br />Vigilante detective Emily Stone continues her covert pursuits to find serial killers and child abductors, all under the radar while shadowing police investigations.<br /><br />Emily searches for an abducted nine-year-old girl taken by ruthless and enterprising slave brokers. Following the clues from California to the garden island of Kauai, she begins to piece together the evidence and ventures deep into the jungle.<br /><br />It doesn’t take long before Emily is thrown into the middle of murder, mayhem, and conspiracy. Locals aren’t talking as a serial killer now stalks the island, taking women in a brutal frenzy of ancient superstitions and folklore. Local cops are unprepared for what lies ahead. In a race against the clock, Emily and her team must identify the killer before time runs out.</p>

Story Behind The Book

When I sat down to write my first children's novel, I knew I wanted to write about three things: 1) a spunky elementary-aged girl 2) who lived in Pittsburgh with 3) a mischievous puppy. I was inspired to feature these elements by Ramona Quimby, who was and remains one of my favorite kid-lit characters; by the fact that Pittsburgh is my hometown and a city I love; and, of course, by the fact that I happen to own a very, very naughty dog myself. (She actually stars in the book trailer for Latasha and the Little Red Tornado.) Armed with these three elements, I began to write. From there, the story blossomed into what it is: a warm story about maturity, the desire for respect, and the conflict between what you want and what you really need. I've seen a lot of kids connect with this story as if I'd written it "just for them." I hope you, reader, will feel the same way.

Media Links

Carnegie Mellon University Alumni Panel

🔗 http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/society/2012/fall/combining-literature-and-culture.shtml

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Syndicated book review (as featured in Las Vegas Review-Journal)

🔗 http://www.lvrj.com/view/eight-year-old-s-baby-sitter-blues-explored-in-new-book-135491443.html

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Reviews

<strong>Finalist</strong>, 2011 ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year, Juvenile Fiction<br /><br />&quot;[Scotto's] sense of childhood emotions is pitch perfect...Middle readers will appreciate seeing themselves in the quick-paced story; parents will like the questions the book raises about responsibility and friendship. A winning addition to children's literature.&quot; - Andi Diehn, <em>ForeWord Reviews</em><br /><br /> &quot;Latasha is a lively, appealing, if sometimes precocious, protagonist.&quot; - Shelle Rosenfeld, <em>Booklist</em><br /><br /> &quot;The premise is appealing...including a satisfying ending that's not too neat.&quot; - <em>Kirkus Reviews</em><br /><br /> &quot;Many children will identify with and enjoy this engaging, realistic novel for young readers...Recommended.&quot; - <em>Library Media Connection</em><br /><br /> &quot;An engaging...heartwarming story about an African-American girl and her canine friend learning what it means to grow up and be responsible, together.&quot; - <em>Midwest Book Review</em>