BACON FINNEGAN

AND THE RELICS OF MERLIN
Book One: 
The Sword of Elements
Even though Bacon Finnegan is a master fencer, has a photographic memory, and can levitate object with his thoughts, he doesn't consider himself special. In fact, his life has been nothing but special. Stolen at birth, abandoned at a penal colony, adopted and then cast away, Bacon lives a life of solitary confinement in the corner of the cargo hold of the Starship Ruby Darton. Bacon has wanted nothing more than to escape the ship, lead a life of adventure and find out his ture identity.
But all that is about to come true when, on the morning of his fifteenth birthday, Bacon finds a teleportation watch and recklessly transports himself, his four new friends, and his android IQ32 to the planet of his destiny. On the planet, he meets up with a White Witch who explains he is Merlin?s lost grandson, unleashes his magical powers and sends him on a quest of the hightes caliber. Accepting the quest, Bacon sets off to find seven relics of Merlin, hidden throughout the universe. Standing in his way is a powerful Warlock that is out to kill him. Bacon must find the first relic, rescue his captured friends, and defeat the evil Warlock. In this time of struggle, Bacon uncovers his deepest power?the ability to stop time and visit the past, present and future. Will this new-found gift propel him towards his destiny or destroy all of those around him.

How Will This Appeal to Children?

Bacon Finnegan and the Relics of Merlin:  The Sword of Elements is a children?s fantasy fiction series that chronicles the adventures of Merlin?s grandson through space and time, and features thirteen-year-old Bacon Finnegan.

 

How will this book appeal to children?

 

This book will connect with children on many levels. However, four main aspects make Bacon Finnegan and the Relics of Merlin:  The Sword of Elements appealing to children.


ASPECT #1:  CHARACTER DYNAMICS

The first aspect children will enjoy is the dynamics of the characters. This book will have one android, two male, and three female main characters. Their interactions are engaging and believable and their diversity will appeal to a wide audience crossing genders and age barriers. The main protagonist, Bacon Finnegan is strong yet immature. He has lived alone in the cargo hold for over seven years. Accidentally teleporting the other children with him, he is thrust into a situation where he has to learn how to socialize, interact, and work with the other children.

ASPECT #2:  INTERESTING ADVENTURE

The second aspect that will appeal to children is the interesting adventure. A great adventure takes our minds off our own ordinary lives, and places our imagination in the unbelievable settings, exotic scenes and outlandish circumstances that the protagonist faces. This book will interest all age groups with a plot woven from many different popular adventures. Crafted in an interesting futuristic setting with many historical overtones, the high-concept storyline is complete with Indiana Jones like adventure, mixed with the mystical worlds of The Chronicles of Narnia and Star Wars. Add to that a sprinkling of Charlie Bone, a pinch of Eragon, and a spoon full of the hit U.S. television show Quantum Leap, and the reader gets a myriad of various past and current literary influences, intertwined with the most popular myths, legends and magical creatures of all times. Simply put, children and adults alike, will enjoy Bacon Finnegan?s adventure as he is whisked off to a distant planet, discovers his magical powers, battles an alter ego, searches for lost treasure, faces enchanted creatures, and plays a key role in the greatest legend of all times?the legend of Merlin. On some level, we all want the mundane in their lives replaced with the most exciting adventures we can think of.


ASPECT #3:  THEMES

The third aspect, that will attract the attention of children, is its themes. This book crosses into many themes and bounds limitless between: Literary Satire, Mystery, Adventure, Social Satire and Children?s Fairy Tales. It brings forward historical accounts, legends and tales from various cultures mixing them with a new fantasy world. Children will enjoy the mixture of creatures from ancient civilizations and fairy-tales mixed with modern technology and futuristic lifestyles fusing it with a search for magical relics throughout the universe. The use of historical overtones, ancient civilizations and mythological references produces a well-rounded dynamic storyline. The storyline mixes the mystery of the seven relics along with the adventure of Bacon having to find them. It conforms to the ?Good vs. Evil? struggle that great epic tales and legendary stories incorporate. Bacon has to fight off supernatural evil forces while his mental fortitude and strength of character are challenged. Through this epic quest, friendships are cultivated and rivalries are forged.


ASPECT #4:  COMMONALITY

The fourth and final aspect that will appeal to children is commonality. Children identify with characters that are like themselves. Common situations and personal encounters create connectivity with the reader. Children will tap into their own feelings, with the use of strong emotions like danger, hatred, friendship, fear, love, courage, teamwork, death, selfishness and jealousy. As the story unfolds, readers will feel for Bacon, empathize with him, understand him and they may even come to hate him at times. On an emotional and intellectual scale, children will connect with the other supporting characters, and the events that happen. Girl readers will also identify with the three supporting female characters and their interaction with Bacon Finnegan.

IN SUMMARY

Bacon Finnegan and the Relics of Merlin:  The Sword of Elements will connect with children emotionally and intellectually with the use of a dynamic protagonist and supporting characters, a fantastical adventure, genre crossing themes, and commonality.