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HECK – WHERE THE BAD KIDS GO

When Milton and Marlo Fauster die in a marshmallow bear explosion, they get sent straight to Heck, an otherworldly reform school. Milton can understand why his kleptomaniac sister is here, but Milton is—or was—a model citizen. Has a mistake been made? Not according to Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness. She doesn’t make mistakes. She personally sees to it that Heck—whether it be home-ec class with Lizzie Borden, ethics with Richard Nixon, or gym with Blackbeard the Pirate—is especially, well, heckish for the Fausters. Will Milton and Marlo find a way to escape? Or are they stuck here for all eternity, or until they turn 18, whichever comes first?

Rapacia_Cvr

Welcome to Rapacia, where the greedy kids go.

When Milton escapes from Heck in a soul balloon made of old clothes, Marlo is the only Fauster child left to take the blame. Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness, sends her straight to Rapacia, the circle where greedy kids are tormented by glimpses of a just-out-of-reach, glittering shopper’s paradise called Mallvana. Marlo soon falls under the sway of Rapacia’s assistant principal, a grinning metal rabbit known as the Grabbit that seems to have plans of its own.

Meanwhile, back on the Surface, Milton has his own problems. He is determined to get in touch with Marlo and help her find a way out of Heck. But it’s hard to concentrate when his body and soul don’t seem to hold together the way they used to. Will Milton ever reach Marlo? And if he does, will they both end up as pawns in the Grabbit’s mysterious game?

11 Comments

11 responses so far ↓

  • Nan Hoekstra // August 16, 2008 at 11:12 pm | Reply

    This book is so good. I loved the cover — I think I know these kids, I’ve seen them in my house! I loved the chapter titles, the constant pepper of smart earthy everything! When Annubis’s hands went in for Milton’s soul — wow, I was stunned! And how about the miniature Ms. Mallon — how creepy and cool was that? “The tension of identity…” OK, the remark about Raffi hit pretty close to home but I understand. Yeah, middle world. This is the book world I read and blog for and about. Thank you Dale for this memorable work. “It’s metaphysical education, ya polyp…”

  • wherethebadkidsgo // August 16, 2008 at 11:20 pm | Reply

    I’m so glad you liked it! My high school English teacher always said “write what you know.” Well, I don’t know an awful lot so I, instead, write what I don’t know, which gives me infinitely more material. And the cover is indeed wonderful. Bob Dob is a genius. And his cover for the next book, IMHO, looks even better!

  • john // January 10, 2009 at 7:07 pm | Reply

    I thought that your book was great and I realy liked the charators and the things they did.I think that you should try and make it into a movie kind of like the ones that Tim Burton makes because I think it would be a realy good movie. So keep up the good work. Can’t waite till your next book comes out in july.

  • Jesse Tate // February 21, 2009 at 4:12 pm | Reply

    This book is great! I have no problem saying it is the funniest book I have ever read! I love all the puns, you are extremely Punny! I am a Portland-area teacher and have lent my copy to several of my kids who all love it.

  • Colin // May 31, 2009 at 4:00 am | Reply

    I love that book..Im so happy the new ones comeing out on my b-day :D its funny cool..and its about heck!
    I like gothic stuff…So XD its a mix

  • Colin // May 31, 2009 at 4:03 am | Reply

    The new book is comeing out on my b-day :)
    Nice book i love it…Its just cool cause it has heck..and gothic stuff

  • colin // May 31, 2009 at 4:05 am | Reply

    They shoud make a movie but actors not a cartoon or anything and not one of those weird ones..like..a cool 2 hours or so movie.

  • colin // May 31, 2009 at 4:06 am | Reply

    Can you make fourms on your site?
    so we can talk about the book?
    ect :) if you want

  • colin // May 31, 2009 at 4:07 am | Reply

    Im sorry im posting alot i just love the book

  • colin // May 31, 2009 at 4:09 am | Reply

    marlen manson is thare isent he?
    XD

  • Virginia Hendricks // June 13, 2009 at 2:53 am | Reply

    We’d love to review this book, how do I get in contact with you?

    bbb.reviewcoordinator at gmail dot com.

    Thanks so much!

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