Today our guest author is Paolo Mazzucato, author of the fantasy adventure, AJ and the Incredible Fish.
Thank you for playing Book Trivia with us!
In the movie Castaway,
if Tom Hanks unearthed a copy of AJ and the Incredible Fish,
how would that help Tom find a way off the island?
After trying (and failing) in using his newfound copy of AJ and the Incredible Fish as a floatation device, Chuck Noland (Hanks) would give it a read and discover that according to Grandpa (in the story) “The only real danger comes from never leaving the shore.” He would then attempt to make a flying machine (as in Chapter 10), attempt to win a boat by gambling (as in Chapter 16), then swim to the realm of the Sea Queen (as in Chapter 19) to get her advice. Finally, he would search and catch Old Gussie, the incredible fish, and ride her back to the FedEx hub in Memphis. He would then note that even though he lost Wilson, AJ and the Incredible Fish truly saved his life.
Everyone knows Brittney Spears was the wild child in the music business.
But she read your book and wants to let you know that it changed her
life for the better. Why did your book give Brittney a new lease on life?
First of all, Britney pulled off her own renaissance quite well. If some of Grandpa’s wisdom coincidentally encouraged her to believe again in her dream and in the pursuit of that which makes her fulfilled, then that’s great too. As Grandpa says, “Everything is meant to be. You just have to choose what things are going to be for you.”
You are being pulled over for speeding. When the officer asks you for your license and you discover you left it at home, you decide to pull out your book instead. What do you tell the officer?
As you can see, my book was in the car, so would you say that it’s a “fast” read and that it “really moves along” with “non-stop” action right till the end? And…could I quote you on that (perhaps on Amazon), officer?
You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, and the almighty judges will determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a NY Times Bestseller. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your best review – and why?
I think the book cover does a pretty good job of selling the epic adventure of AJ’s journey, and I would hope, as a writer, an excerpt would do the same. The book, however, actually got a review (by Jonah Meyer of the US Review of Books) that says, in part:
“Epic in nature, this swashbuckling tale of a boy and his young friend sailing the seas with Grandpa, encountering all kinds of larger-than-life characters, seems reminiscent of a summer blockbuster feature film, where one can easily imagine children of all ages flocking to the movies with parents and grandparents happily along for the ride.”
So…uh…I agree.
Finally, you just got
word that your book has received the 2024 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and
you have to attend the ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan. Anyone who’s anyone will be
there and it’s your shot for stardom. On stage, you must give an
acceptance speech. What would you say and who would you thank?
How does one thank all those who inspire us to chance the tide and sail out from the shore to chase our dreams. I would like to do just that by reading from Grandpa’s Journal:
I dreamt of a wondrous place, Of fantasy fables untold;
Where heroes set out for adventure, Through lands in which legends unfold.
Where unicorns dance beneath rainbows, And dragons through blazing skies soar;
Where magical journeys invite us, To venture beyond our own shore.
And trusting my heart and my vision, I set out with all sails unfurled;
Embracing my fanciful voyage, Believing I'd conquer the world.
With faith in my sail I continued, Though hurricanes swirled through my mind;
A tempest of doubts thrashed against me, The sea was unfair and unkind.
And then from below came a rumble, A shadow that darkened my soul;
My heart was eclipsed by a monster, That threatened to swallow me whole.
I wondered if I had been foolish, To journey so far on my own;
Believing a vision of fancy, And daring to test the unknown.
But as I stood facing the challenge, From within my own fears came a voice;
"The world is the wonder you make it, Success or defeat is your choice."
So I stretched out my hand on the water, Coaxed a rainbow from out of the storm;
Chased the shadow away with my sunbeam, Rode the sea on a gold unicorn.
And I smiled as I slept now most certain, That if I were a hero at heart;
I could rise and defeat any challenge, If I believed in myself from the start.
I dreamt of a wondrous place, Where dragons of deep I could tame;
And woke to the curious wonder, That place and my world were the same.
Mazzucato’s new book will be launched on Sunday, September 22nd at the Orange County
Children’s Book Festival in Costa Mesa, California.
Find out more about the author on his website: www.writer.mazzucato.org and follow him on his social media (Facebook, X and Instagram).
AJ and the Incredible Fish by Paolo Mazzucato is a captivating fantasy adventure that’s perfect for tweens aged 9-14, especially boys who love a blend of excitement and deeper meaning.
This story takes young readers on an unforgettable journey that blends the wonders of fantasy with the realities of growing up.
Eleven-year-old
AJ is a relatable character who starts off skeptical of fairy tales and
grand adventures, but when his Grandpa unexpectedly sets sail on a
quest to find a legendary fish, AJ finds himself pulled into a world
where anything is possible.
Alongside an eccentric girl named Livvy, AJ faces perilous challenges, encounters extraordinary characters, and discovers that the true adventure lies in believing in the impossible.
This book is more than just an adventure; it's a story about trust, courage, and the power of belief. It encourages young readers to embrace their imagination, face their fears, and understand that sometimes, the greatest treasures in life are the dreams we dare to chase.
Ideal for parents, teachers, and librarians seeking a fantasy fiction adventure that inspires and entertains.
Don’t miss out—let AJ’s journey spark imaginations!
AJ AND THE INCREDIBLE FISH is available in hardcover for $24.95 and in Paperback for $18.95. It can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BepiBooks.com and other online book sellers. (and at the Orange County Children’s Book Festival, Sept. 22, 2024 https://www.kidsbookfestival.com/
BepiBooks: https://bepibooks.com/aj.html
Publication date: September 10, 2024; Publisher: Bepi Books
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paolo-Mazzucato/author/B07PHNMF53
Amazon Hard Cover Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737989840?
AJ and the Incredible Fish — Hard Cover: 978-1-7379898-4-4; 316 pages, 24.95
AJ and the Incredible Fish — Paperback: 978-1-7379898-5-1, 316 pages, 18.95
Amazon Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/AJ-Incredible-Fish-Paolo-Mazzucato/dp/1737989859
