If you found a substance that no one in the world knew about and would absolutely guarantee you success and a star-studded future, would you use it? Is it legal? Would it be cheating if you used it in a track meet? No one really knows, and no one can know. It`s an experimental synthetic substance, a blob, and close enough to magic for two high school boys. Eldon sees his shot at an Olympic dream, while Tom seeks revenge on their school’s reigning track star, an arrogant hot shot. They step into a minefield of ethics as they try to keep the substance a secret and carry out their agendas. Big risk, big reward. Only Tom knows the substance is deteriorating and there may not be enough left for Eldon’s qualifying race, the most important event in his life. Telling him is not an option, and the ‘best before’ date of the Blob rapidly approaches. (read excerpt below)
This story is caught between a juvenile and YA genre. What’s been said:
“Likeable characters in realistic life situations…” - Orchard Books
“The book does indeed sound imaginative and creative.” - Rebecca Pratt Literary
“The Blob In My Shoes has enough action and believable conundrums mixed in with fantasy to keep any them turning the pages to see what happens next.” – Author Author Agency
“The writing voice you have developed in these pages is a unique one that could grab young readers.” - Lobster Press
“…sounds like a fascinating read.” - Mountainview Agency
excerpt - Mr. Howell struggled to pull himself up the ladder of the pool and the waiting red towel, vigorously brushing it through his wet hair. In the bright sunlight the dripping wetsuit glistened, giving him the appearance of a fat seal. He tossed the towel over a chair’s back and began to work meticulously inside the box with quick, practiced hands. Now and then, he’d turn his attention to his shoes, inserting or removing something from the box.
“What is that stuff?” I asked, shifting my gaze from the binoculars to Tom for a moment.
Tom gripped the brim of his NHL ALL STAR cap and flipped it on and off a few times, mussing his wispy hair. He scratched his head. It wasn’t often he didn’t know something about everything in the universe. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a stiff finger.
“I’m…not exactly sure,” he replied, not wanting to admit he hadn’t a clue–especially concerning the sciences. “What you see is what you get. I suspect it’s some kind’a…uh, anti-gravity…compound.”
He didn’t sound completely at ease with his explanation for a science nerd. Science was a magnet that drew Tom like flies to a garbage truck.
“How do you figure that?”
“First of all, I know Howell works in a lab at the Research Council in Edmonton.”
“So, is he a real scientist or just some flunky technician?”
Tom frowned, drawing together his caterpillar eyebrows, ready to battle each other. ”Just about everyone there is a scientist or an engineer or a technologist. And I know his kid, Randy, a grade-niner–real pain in the butt. He’s tryin’ to pry himself into the Science Club, says his dad’s a synthetic chemical engineer, like it’s a pedigree or something.” He rubbed his arms for warmth as a milky cloud perched in front of the sun, turning the landscape into an early spring gray.
I nodded and returned to my spying.
“I hope he really launches himself,” said Tom, excitement evident in his voice, wanting the sight to leave an indelible impression on me.
As if hearing his wishes, Mr. Howell again stepped to the edge of the pool, crouched, swung his arms, and effortlessly flung into the heavens.
“That is just…it’s incredible!” I cried, watching the man splash down into the pool, this time in a clumsy belly-flop. “But I don’t think he went quite as high this time.”
“Yeah, well, it seems to be adjustable. Everything in the universe has a mathematic equation. I figure he’s trying to come up with a weight height formula.”
“How high you seen him go?”
“Last week I saw daylight between him and the treetops.”
I whistled softly, and shifted my gaze to the tall firs guarding the property’s boundary. “That’s…awesome.”
“Nope, it’s far more than awesome. And you know what the best part is?”
I muttered a reply, keeping my eyes glued on the dripping figure emerging from the pool.
“Mr. Science there tosses the stuff out with the trash. And we’re going to get it. Then we’re gonna use it.”
