Superhero Surtain by James E. Michalik
Future President of the United States Combats KATRINA
Trade Paper: 6" x 9", 116pp  ISBN: 978-1-59663-705-4,  $9.95   Special Price $8.95
                                     ILLUSTRATED BY SCOTT SMITH

                             YA Readers 10+ to Adult

HURRICANE KATRINA humbled some of our most powerful national and local leaders, but she also inspired many of the humblest among us to unimaginable greatness.

SUPERHERO SURTAIN is a five-day chronicle of a loving Mid-City family stranded in the path of Katrina and the terrifying events which catapult Surtain Victor, a typical bumbling sixth-grader, toward a future date with destiny in the year 2032. Just as the ravenous winds and darkness of this monstrous storm subside, there emerges an even more immediate threat: flooding waters begin to rapidly fill their tattered home. A simple, noble act—returning to retrieve his nemesis sister Dauphine's prized possession—sends him on a perilous adventure navigating the flooding currents ravaging the city of New Orleans. Surtain's bravery and his kindness to the stranded throng of oddball characters he encounters becomes part of the legend of Katrina and the heart of this surprisingly humorous and rewarding character-driven adventure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James E. Michalik was born, raised, and educated by three mothers: Bernadette, the Church, and the fertile crescent culture of New Orleans. He loves, cherishes, honors, and fights with each equally. He began SUPERHERO SURTAIN: FUTURE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES COMBATS KATRINA as an evacuee the moment his wife, Lawren, wept after spotting on CNN, one of her favorite students pulled from the flood waters. The novel was completed four weeks later to the hum of a generator beneath a blue tarp after his family returned to remove the debris of the storm.

Before writing this, his first novel, Michalik served as a counselor and teacher for almost thirty years in New Orleans schools. During this time he also completed master degrees in psychology and theology. He is the director of Operation Upgrade, an academic program for gifted, economically-disadvantaged middle-school students. To combat a fear of public speaking, Michalik began an evening career in stand-up comedy, eventually running his own club and conducting classes for first-time comedian performers. He continues to work as a writer for both himself and other comedians.

Mr. Michalik and his wife, Lawren, continue to teach, live, love, laugh and invest in New Orleans with their children, Robert, Katherine, Dominic, and Therese.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Scott Smith is a freelance writer, artist and illustrator. He authored and illustrated PHILLIP AND THE GREAT LIE-DEFLOGGER MACHINE AND THE AWFUL, AWFUL ITCH. In 2009 he embarked on a journey to Africa to teach English and upon his return is compiling his third illustrated book in collaboration with his former students. An avid learner Smith is currently enrolled in LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law School and Notre Dame Seminary while completing two graduate degrees simultaneously. He already received a chemical engineering degree from Texas A&M University. Recently married, Smith now resides in New Roads, Louisiana, a hub of Acadian French culture and hospitality, where he once taught high school. Today he volunteers to educate inmates working toward their degree at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola.