David Bowles is a Mexican American author and educator based in South Texas. He has written fourteen books. His middle grade novel-in-verse They Call Me Guero has been the recipient of numerous honors such as the Pura Belpre Honor, the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, the Claudia Lewis Award for Excellence in Poetry, the Walter Dean Myers Honor Award for Outstanding Children's Literature, the Texas Institute of Letters Best Middle Grade Book Award, the Skipping Stones Award; the book is also an Americas Book Award Commended Title and was named in the Bluebonnet Award Masterlist. His other works include the Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky and The Smoking Mirror. Charlene Bowles is a Mexican American digital artist based in Texas. Her work has been featured on the covers of the award-winning Garza Twins books.
Kirkus Review In the first of 10 graphic novels to adapt his work Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky (2018), David Bowles pairs up with illustrator Charlene Bowles to bring Mesoamerican heroes to life. With seemingly simple yet vivid illustrations characterized by strong, dynamic lines, the illustrator develops cunning and endearing characters to populate this enticing tale. In an afterword, the author shares the historical significance of Maya storytelling and its connection to today's graphic novels. An unmissable adventure of mythical proportions. JC Cervantes, NYT-bestselling author of the Storm Runner novels A tale of wonder, courage, and ultimately the power of goodness. I was completely spellbound by the imagery and storytelling. Cannot wait to see what magic is woven into the next installment! Carlos Hernandez, author of Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe What an amazing trick David and Charlene Bowles have pulled off in Rise of the Halfling King! Somehow, they've managed to tell a story that feels contemporary, mythic, and historical all at once. The careful writing subtly yet unmistakably evokes the Maya language and culture, while the limpid, evocative illustrations provided both grounding and a launchpad for the imagination. The story is not sanitized for modern sensibilities, but rather invites us to imagine a different time and place and help us better understand the many ways humanity has surmounted life's challenges. I'll be greedily gobbling up the next installments as quickly as they appear! David Jose Older, NYT-bestselling author of the Dactyl Hill Squad series Rise of the Halfling King is a fun and fantastic adventure for kids of all ages with beautiful art and a joyful sense of upliftment.