Tribune staff reports

Immanuel Lutheran School in Seymour recently welcomed Australian author James Phelan.

During a presentation Sept. 28, the fifth- through eighth-grade students learned about Phelan’s writing process and the life of a writer.

The author’s best-selling children’s book series, “The Last Thirteen,” was published last year in the United States by Kane Miller Books, a division of EDC Publishing.

Phelan’s United States tour includes several schools in Indiana, Ohio, Colorado and California. Immanuel’s visit was arranged through the efforts of EDC’s Usborne Books and More educational sales consultants. He also visited Lutheran Central School in Brownstown and Seymour middle and high schools while he was in the area.

In describing his action-packed, 13-volume adventure series, Phelan said the story offers “all the thrills and spills of a thriller series, the pace and excitement of a suspense story, a group of characters we can all relate to and a fast-paced, high-concept plot.”

“All of that is set against a backdrop of a race against opposing forces and time to put together an ancient machine, the origins of which is steeped in reality,” he said.

With a master’s degree in writing and a Ph.D. in literature, Phelan’s published work includes fiction for young readers and adults. His interest in world events and political, ethical, environmental and human issues is reflected in the themes found in his books, supported by a good deal of research beforehand.

As a speaker, Phelan has visited schools, libraries and conferences both in Australia and around the world.

The books of “The Last Thirteen” series, aimed at the 10- to 14-year-old reader, are available exclusively in both paperback and hardcover through Usborne Books and More. For information, go to Z3306.myubam.com or contact Linda Kamman at [email protected].