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email: michaelgerardbauer@gmail.com
“Hi there! Thanks for dropping by.”
Michael Gerard Bauer Author 
Dear Michael,
I can’t tell you how often I’ve read your Ishmael books. I’m 16, my 12th grade starts next week. I’m sitting on my bed and reading Ishmaels 12th year and as always, it doesn’t fail to make me feel understood. I have a similar group of friends like Ishmael and the way they charge into things, the way they are courageous, unapologetic and imperfect never ceases to amaze and inspire me. Apart from that, your books are tremendously funny and I really admire your observation skills. My whole familiy thoroughly enjoys them.
I have wanted to become a writer for about 10 years now, basically as long as I can remember, because I belive the right literature can change people, make them want to be better. And the way Ishmael and his friends interact with wach other and go through life is so thruthful and enjoyable, it does exactly that. So thank you for writing these books! It’s my dream to write something with similar impact one day.
Yours, Martha
PS: I’m from Germany, so I’m sorry if my English isn’t perfect.
PPS: Could you write a continuation? 🙂
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Hi Martha. Thank you so much for your email. It is lovely to receive such positive feedback. I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed the Ishmael books. I loved writing them and spending time with those characters. They became like real people to me and I miss them. Unfortunately I don’t think there will be a continuation. I think their story finished when they left school. All the best with your writing dream. Write about what you love and believe in and are passionate about and I’m sure it will come true for you. And you don’t have to apologise for your English. It is brilliant! I would love to be able to speak German as well as you do English. Of the different countries my books are published in, the German editions are my favourites. I hope to visit your beautiful country again before too long. Cheers Michael.
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Thank you for your reply and your encouragement 🙂
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Dear Michael,
I have just finished reading Ishmael and the return of the Dugongs. I have enjoyed reading the first two books in the Ishmael series a lot because of their unpredictable plot, unforgettable characters, humour and language.
Being an eleven year old girl I find that when I read the Ishmael books, I am exposed to a whole new and different perspective.
I have previously watched an interview that you did with De La Salle College, Malvern. After watching this interview I came up with a few questions I would like to ask you.
1. I can tell that the character Ishmael was inspired by you. One of my favourite themes in the book is Ishmael’s relationship with Kelly. Suggesting that most of Ishmael is inspired from yourself, how were you inspired to write about Kelly? Was there a Kelly in your life and if so did you end up in situations like Ishmael?
2. One of my favourite characters is Razza because of his sense of humour. What was the source of inspiration for Razza? Did you ever have a friend like Razza?
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to ask you questions.
Kind regards,
Maya
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Hi Maya. Great to hear that you are enjoying the Ishmael books. Yes Ishmael is a bit like me. I also hated speaking in front of a lot of people when I was at school. And yes, there were a definitely quite a few Kellys in my life, but she is not based on one particular person. No I didn’t end up in situations quite as embarrassing as Ishmael but then again he has more success getting to know his Kelly than I ever did at his age! I like Razz too. I didn’t base Razza on any of my friends. They weren’t quite as ‘out there’ as him! Maybe he is just the more outrageous side of my personality and Ishmael is the quiet part. Cheers Michael
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Hi Michael,
I’ve been trying to track down your Ishmael books 2 and 3 everywhere!!! Any tips as to where I can find them? (Melbourne Australia or online)
Many thanks,
Emma
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Hi Emma. Not sure what the story is with those books. They seem to be mostly out of stock and I’m not sure when or if they will be available in stores in future. Have you tried asking a store to order them in for you from Scholastic? The other option might be to get kindle versions from Amazons. As you can imagine it’s really disappointing to hear that someone wants to buy your books and can’t find them. Recently I’ve had a few emails like yours about a number of my books. Might need to check again with Scholastic Australia and see what the story is. (Maybe an email inquiry from you might help.) In the meantime thank you for wanting the books in the first place. I hope you can eventually track some copies down. Cheers Michael.
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Dear Mister Bauer
First of all, I want to thank you for the inspiration, your Ismael books gave to my kids and me. Lot‘s of discussions and conversations came out of this.
You may excuse my English, it’s a little rusty and we are from Germany.
My two children who are at the age of 14 and 17 have begun to make short films in 2018. Now there is the idea, to make a Short Film of a scene from the first Ismael book. The scene, when they prepare for the final discussion and Bill Kingsley is the hero of the situation. I think, you know, what scene I mean.
Today came up the question, if they are allowed, to make a short film and maybe, if everything works well, show this film on YouTube, Instagram and at a youth filmfestival here in the north of Germany. So I was the Chosen one, to ask you for permission.
I don’t know, how fast my kids will be able to realise this project but with having your permission, it would be much easier for them and it might be a great inducement to start writing the script.
We‘re looking forward for your answer and remain with best regards
Carola, Madita and Jan Leon
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Hi Carola, Madita and Jan
I am so glad you enjoyed the Ishmael books and thank you too for for taking the time to ask about permission for the filming. My publishers are the ones that normally would approve any use of the books but because this involves just one scene from the novel I can’t see any problem with it. So I say go ahead and I wish you all the best with it.
Cheers
Michael
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Daer mister Bauer,
first of all I have to tell you that I’m a huge fan of your books! Especially of the ones telling the story of ihsmael. Thats why I would really like to know if there will be a fourth part! I want to knwo how the story of the friends ends.
I would be so happy about an answer.
Greetings from a German Fan
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Hi Emily. Thanks for taking the time to write. Great to hear that you enjoyed the Ishmael books. I really loved writing them. I’m sorry to say that I don’t think there will be a fourth one. The story was all about their school days and that ended at graduation. But whatever would happen in the future, I’m sure Ishmael and Razz would always be best friends. I did write one more scene about the Ishmael characters that you might not have read. It was for the German anthology Folge Deinem Traum by Carl Hanser. Ishmael and the others discuss their weirdest ever dreams. All the best Emily. I hope to visit Germany again one day soon. Cheers Michael
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hello,
and I love your book ‘just a dog’ it is very interesting but
it did make me get a little teary.I like the way of how Mister Mosely was named
because he was mostly white. The pink panther bit is very funny.
Bye the way, did you ever think of making another book about mister mosely?
thanks bye 🙂
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Hi Paige
Thanks for your message. It’s great to hear that you liked Just a Dog. We had a Pink Panther stuffed toy in my family just like the one in the book. But I didn’t have a dog that was afraid of it – I had a little nephew who was. I had fun writing about Mr Mosely but I probably won’t write another book about him. I think I’ve told his story.
Cheers
Michael
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Hi Michael
I too am seeking an audiobook copy for my dyslexic son and having trouble. We live in Brisbane and the school librarian is trying to source a copy.
Would love to know if anyone has any luck!? Is there any way of getting it onto iTunes!?
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I liked to know how you get on Carlie. I’ve just sent an email to the rights lady at Scholastic asking some questions about this.
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Good evening. I have a 13 yr old son who is reading your book ‘Don’t call me Ishmael’ as part of his Yr 7 English curriculum. I’m trying to find an audio version to help him, as he has struggled with learning difficulties right throughout his schooling. I was wondering firstly, if there is an audio book version and if so where I might be able to access this.
Thank you.
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Hi Margaret.
A few people have had this problem and contacted me. The company that first produced the audio version ceased operating and another one took over called Wavelength. I’m not sure if they are still available. You could try this link. http://www.wavesound.com.au/genre/don-t-call-me-ishmael.html
If you have no luck there, your local council library could have a copy or they might be able to get one in for you. Another idea might be to contact local schools and see if they have a copy in the library. Whereabouts do you live?
I’d be interested to know how you get on, because as I said I get quite a few inquiries about this. I hope it works out for you and that your son enjoys the book.
Cheers
Michael
Cheers
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Hi!! I am such a huge fan!!
I have just finished reading “The pain, my mother, sir tiffy, cyber boy and me” for what seems like the 100000th time. I LOVE this book and have told all my friends about it.
I love to write songs but am only 11 so am not FANTASTIC at it. I wrote a song about The Pain (Danny) from the book. I thought you might like to see the lyrics. It is from Maggie’s perspective.
I don’t understand why I should have to stay
And be “pleasant and reasonable” around the pain all day.
His sneaky smile, his love for mum, his tendency to sing.
I hate him OH I hate him. Yes every little thing.
CHORUS:
‘Cause he’s the pain.
He’s oh so easy to hate.
He’s the pain.
He drove away my first date
He’s the pain.
He’s the reason that I’m sad. And I hope he knows he’ll never be my real dad.
I know you think that I can’t blame him for my lack of a true friend
But if think about all that he’s done, it comes back to him in the end!
He’s the reason that my life is like a cold that just won’t ease.
Do I honestly deserve this? NO! Come on world! Stop this please!
CHORUS.
I cannot tell the future.
Will he ever leave castle butt?
If he truly does move in here.
I’m getting a lock to keep my door shut.
I don’t know if he’s trying to help me or make my life an impossible quiz.
But he’s doing the second one whatever his intention is.
CHORUS.
I hope you liked it. It would be the best Christmas ever if you replied!!!
Love from MGB#1
(Like my username!!)
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Hi MGB#1 (Yes I do like it!)
So glad to hear that you enjoyed The Pain etc and Me and thank you for spreading the word to your friends. I really enjoyed writing Maggie’s story.
And well done and thank you for sending the song! I think you ARE pretty fantastic at songwriting, especially for someone your age. I very much doubt that I could have done something like that at 11. Do you play an instrument as well? (I play guitar.)I think you’ve captured Maggie’s view on the world really well. I bet you are an excellent English student at school.
I actually like writing songs too. When I was a teenager I wanted to be a singer-songwriter. I had fun writing the songs that were included as lyrics in the second of my Ishmael books. They were all recorded by a German band for the German audio version of Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs.
Thanks again for your very kind words about the book and of course for the fantastic song. I hope you have an awesome Christmas – and keep reading and writing! (Maybe you could read The Pain etc and Me just a 1000 or so more times and then try something else? 🙂 )
Cheers
Michael
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Thank you so much! Your reply means A LOT to me! I think it’s great that you wanted to be a singer songwriter too! I play the piano and trumpet but would LOVE to play guitar!
I most certainly will read it 1000 more times without fail and THEN move on to more of your books!!
Love from MGB#1
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hello, i am studying don’t call me ishmael and i need an audiobook ASAP and all of the audio books cost money i need one for free, can you help me?
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Hi Shelly
The audio books went out of production a while back so they would be very hard to find even if you were trying to buy one. Your best chance to get one free is to try local Council Libraries and see if they have one in the system somewhere.
Cheers and good luck with the quest.
Michael
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Hi Michael,
I just wanted to thank you for the Ishmael books! I’m maybe not the target age, (I’m writing a PhD!) but I don’t think that’s relevant, I love the world you created and the characters have become good friends, good company to revisit at tough and solitary times away from home. It means a lot too that you clearly care about including characters from lots of different backgrounds and experiences.
I wanted to ask – I can’t see Eric Vale for sale in English on the Amazon UK site, should it be there? I can read German and French, but having started with the Ishmael series in English I’m used to your voice in that language!
Thanks so much again, really, they are smashing books,
Drof
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Hi Drof
Thanks so much for those lovely comments. I wrote the Ishmael story for me really so I’d like to think anyone could be the target audience. Those characters were good company for me too during the writing.
The Eric Vale series has been sold to quite a few countries (including Germany where he’s known as Rupert Rau) but not to the UK. I’m sure you could order the Australia version through Book Depository. What is your home country/language if you don’t mind me asking?
Thanks again for the positive feedback. Much appreciated.
Cheers
Michael
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Hi Michael, thanks for your kind response, it’s exciting hear back! I’m British-Ukrainian, but studying at a university in Switzerland at the moment (my research even involved picture books, tangentially: http://blog.chrishaughton.com/a-bit-lost-in-the-siberian-ket-language/). And I totally agree – for all my favourite books the idea of a ‘target age’ seems like almost an alien concept; great stories and characters stay great stories and characters whatever age you are!
Ah, OK, I’ll try the Book Depositary for Eric Vale, that’s a good idea. I’m really looking forwards to seeing it, a graphic novel! Thanks so much again, Michael.
Drof
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Hi, we are doing a class assignment on ‘don’t call me ishmael’ our task is to recorded a monologue/vlog from one of the characters in your novel. My chosen character is Razza and I was just wondering if you, in your own words could describe razza’s personality and looks. By the way our whole class is loving the book so far! Thank you
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Hi Tahlia
Sorry for the slow reply I’ve been doing some interstate visits and haven’t caught up with the blog for a while. I’m probably too late to help with the assignment but I think you can work out Razza’s personality pretty well from the book. (Hint: he’s not that shy and retiring.) As for his looks, I’ll leave that up to you fill in but there is some description in the text.
Good luck with the assignment. I hope you and the class continue to enjoy the book through to the end. (Plus there are two sequels if anyone is interested in following Ishmael and his friends through to graduation day in Year 12.)
Cheers
Michael
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hello,
I am an Australian student currently attending year 9. We have read your book ‘Don’t Call Me Ishmael’, It a great novel and has been written very well. We now have to write and perform a monologue from one of the characters point of view. I think it will be a great task to work on since it is such a great book.
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Hi Caitlin
Thanks for those generous comments. I hope the monologue goes well. I take it you’re more confident than Ishmael at public speaking!
Cheers
Michael
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Hi, I’ve just finished reading the book “Just a dog”. Thank you so much, It was the best book I’ve ever read! I smiled, laughed and cried when I read the book, today on the beach. I just wanted to say that “just a dog” is an incredible, lovely book, and now it is my Favorite book 🙂
-A 14 year old girl from Norway 🙂
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Hi Marina
Thank you so much for taking the time to write and for those incredibly kind comments. I have a special place in my heart for JAG as some of those stories were based on real events that happened to dogs I had as a boy.
You are the very first reader from Norway to contact me!
Cheers
Michael
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Hello Michael,
My son is asking every day to order Eric Vale: Off the Rails however it appears to not be available anywhere in Canada or North America. I can only find two Australian online stores that sell the book however they don’t ship to Canada. Any estimated time for a North American release?
Thanks,
David
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Hi David
Scholastic Canada are publishing the first two titles in the Eric Vale series but I’m afraid I don’t know a release date.
I wouldn’t think it would be too far away though. They did make a couple of slight changes to the text/illustrations but that was done last year. I checked to see if there was anything about it as an upcoming release on the website but there’s not. Maybe you could inquire with them directly.
Thanks for your interest in the book and please say Hi to your son from me. If you have the time, let me know if/when you eventually get your hands on a copy.
Cheers
Michael
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Hi Michael..
My son will be reading Don’t call me Ishmael as part of his year 8 English list. Francis is dyslexic so each year I
Purchase the audio version of the book to give him a head start before he begins school..
My challenge is I can’t seem to find a copy of he audio anywhere.. I have looked wide and low..
Can you make any suggestions of where I can look please?
Thank you for your help.
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Hi Evelyn
A few people have had this problem and contacted me. The company that first produced the audio version ceased operating and another one took over called Wavelength. Try this link. http://www.wavesound.com.au/genre/don-t-call-me-ishmael.html
If you have no luck there, local council libraries should have a copy or should be able to get one in for you.
Let me know how you get on. And say hi to Francis for me. I hope he enjoys the book.
Cheers
Michael
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Dear Michael Gerard Bauer,
My name is Arnav.
I recently finished reading the ‘Don’t call me Ishmael’ series. I have to say that they were by far one of the greatest books I’ve ever read. I really enjoyed reading them. I was also wondering whether there would be more books as part of the series, because I am really hoping there will be.
I really enjoy reading your work.
Regards,
Arnav
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Hi Arnav
Thank you for that. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the Ishmael books. At the moment there are just the three books and I think that might be it. I think the story ends when the characters leave school and maybe go their separate ways. If you check back through my blogs you will find that I have posted a couple of extra scenes that I wrote that weren’t included in the third book Hoops of Steel. There is some chance I might be writing an Ishmael story for my German publishers which would come out in ebook form. But unfortunately unless you’re fluent in German it won’t be of much use to you! So for the moment I’d say that it’s just the three books. Sorry. Thanks again for taking the time to write. The Ishmael series means a lot to me and I loved writing it.
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Hi Michael,
My year 5/6 class is currently reading your novel and are thoroughly enjoying it. I was wondering if the book is available as an audio book? if so where can i get it from?
Regards,
Marina
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Hi Marina
Do you mean Just a Dog? If so, there’s no English audio version available. There is a German one but I doubt that will be much use to you! Say Hi to your 5/6 class from me.
Cheers
Michael
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Hi Michael I really like your Ishmael book series, do you know where i can buy a set of all three books(with matching covers) for cheap???
Yours Sincerely
Alexander Keith Marshall Ingleby
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Hi Alexander
Sorry for the slow reply.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the Ishmael series. The books themselves are not sold as a set, so you would have to buy them individually. For the Australian edition the matching covers would mean the colourful cartoon ones. You might get a cheap deal online. There are also UK editions of the three books with great covers although they are some slight changes to the text for the UK market.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Michael
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Dear Michael Gerard Bauer,
My name is called Abel.
At my School’s Library I found a book called ” Don’t Call me Ismael”, On the bottom of the
book I saw it is by Michael Gerard Bauer. So I read the book and it was really nice. I am still reading Part 3 of the story. Maybe if I am older I will be an author.
Do these faces 😉 :), And bye for now.
Yours Sincerely,
Abel Gerald Brassido Pasaribu
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Hi Abel
Thank you. I hope you do become an author if that’s what you want!
Cheers
Michael
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hi im majok can u tell wat did u think of ur books and which one is the best.
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Hi Majok
All my books mean a lot to me otherwise i wouldn’t have spent so much time and effort writing them. As for the best? I think I’ll let the readers decide that. Thanks for writing.
Cheers
Michael
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Hi Michael, I have only just discovered you as my 10 year old son desperately wanted me to buy Eric Vale Epic Fail at his school (Gregory Terrace) book week. Turns out (small world that it is), that I stayed with Helen in Strawberry Hill back in 1992 – I’ve just sent her an email which hopefully she’ll forward to you. My 8 year old has also enjoyed Eric Vale Epic Fail and the 10 year old is reading Don’t call me Ismael – I look forward to them enjoying more of your works.
cheers
Felicity
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Hi Michael,
I’ve been a fan of your work for years and have also been fortunate enough to sit in on a few of your talks. I just wanted to drop by briefly and thank you for the effort you put into your writing, both in your books but also on this blog. I find that blogs can be a bit hit and miss, so when I find one that speaks to me, is fun and quirky, intelligent and compelling, I get really excited! Thanks for writing such terrific books, creating fun blogs, and being so respectful of your young (and not so young) audience. All the best,
Sib 🙂
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Hi Sib
Thanks Sib I really appreciate those comments. Sorry that the blog are very irregular though. I’m trying to get them out more consistently but am often caught up with writing and school visits.
Cheers
Michael
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Hello Michael,
I still remember the day when I selected to read “Don’t Call Me Ishmael” out of the pile of books that my year 10 English teacher brought with her in case people “forgot” to bring their own books to read during compulsory reading time. I was expecting it to be a typical young adult fiction like all the other books that I have previously read but somewhere along the way I was so intrigued and glued to each and every character of the book that I just couldn’t not stop reading and ended up buying a copy the next day. Almost 3 years later and studying in first year university I happened to reunite with Ishmael all over again as I was scanning my list of books that I can read to pass the time. This time the effect of this book was more everlasting as I experienced something new which I hadn’t felt reading this before. It was nostalgia. I was suddenly remembering all the outrageous things I did with my other classmates and the closeness we shared that had strengthened over time due to being confined in a small area with other hormone ravaged teenagers for 6 years. And I never knew that there were sequels! Like you said in you interview, I thought there was only the one book. I went straight to my library yesterday and finished both books in 1 day (not a great feat since I’m an 18 year old reading young adult fiction) and along their journey I was reliving some of mine as I could relate to Ishmael and his gang on many levels. And at the end of “Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel” where Ishmael is sitting in the seat, I am not afraid to say that I shed a tear or two (I’m going to say it was because of laughter). I truly miss high school life even though it has only been 7 months since, not because of an easier workload (though I do miss that too) but because of all the memories of teachers and students that I have kept with me over the years which I will never forget. So I thank you for writing such an amazing trilogy where the laughter never stopped from page 1 and If I am ever bored again, which I shall be in the foreseeable future, I just might revisit St. Daniel’s Catholic College.
P.S. No chance of any other sequels? (Haha)
Cheers
Mir
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Hi Mir
What a lovely post to receive! Thank you so much for taking the time to write that.
Like I indicated in the dedication to Hoops of Steel, I have a special place in my heart for readers who have made the full journey with Ishmael and the boys from first day to last, like you have done. I’m so pleased you found it worth the time and effort. I like your description of school life as being ‘confined in a small area with other hormone ravaged teenagers for 6 years.’ That about sums it up doesn’t it! No wonder strong friendships and strong memories are the result.
Mir I’m not afraid either to say that I shed a tear at different stages writing the last book (and the others as well). The scene at the end where Miss Tarango says goodbye to each of the boys still gets to me because it’s like me saying goodbye to good friends who’ve shared a chunk of my life and who’ve brought a lot of joy along with them.
Once again, thanks so much for writing and all the best with the Uni studies.
Cheers
Michael
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Hello Michael
My son in year 7 has to study Don’t call me Ishmael next term and because he does learning support his teacher suggested we get it on Kindle and for him to listen to it during the holidays. However I feel that the kindle reading is very robotic and may spoil the book. Do you know where I can get the audio book? Everywhere I look online it says it’s no longer available.
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Hi Leiza
Try here: http://www.wavesound.com.au/genre/don-t-call-me-ishmael.html
Cheers
Michael
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Good afternoon Michael,
We have been loving your two Eric Vale books here at Kingsgrove Public School (near Sydney, NSW). There is one year five class inparticular that’s loving books 1 & 2, and gasping to know will there be a third book in the series and when?
The youtube trailer is great too.
Thank you and keep writing,
Mrs Toltz
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Hi Rebecca
Thank you for writing. I’m so glad to hear that your Yr 5s are enjoying the Eric Vale series. Say Hi from me and Joe and tell them that the third book Eric Vale Off the Rails has been written and illustrated and it will be coming out before the end of the year – hopefully August. In the story Chewy thinks their new replacement teacher is an alien … and maybe she is. Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale also finds himself battling some very weird alien creatures as well as evil Doctor Evil MacEvilness!
Cheers
Michael
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Hello 🙂
I’m from Germany and I really enjoyed reading the Ishmael-books.
I also have the German audio-books and now I want to read and hear it in English.
When I searched on amazon for an English audio-book version there were no hits, so I wanted to ask if there are audio books in English or not?
Greetings, Vincent
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Hi Vincent
So pleased you’re enjoying the Ishmael Series. A number of people have had trouble finding an English audio version. I think the problem was the company making them changed. Try here: http://www.wavesound.com.au/genre/don-t-call-me-ishmael.html The company is called Wavelength.
Let me know how you get on.
Cheers
Michael
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Hi Michael,
I’m teaching the novel as part of our Year 9 programme and I can’t seem to find the audiobook anywhere. The link above doesn’t work either. Do you know where else I could get a copy?
Thanks in advance.
Olivia.
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Hello,
how are you?
We are going to read ‘ Don’t call me Ismael ‘ at school, i have to make an important presentation at school, with the topic ‘ Michael Gerard Bauer ‘ . I wanted to ask you for some special information for my presentation. Why do you like writing books for youth?
Is Ismael like a real person for you ?
Please answer me 🙂
Yours Eva-Maria , Germany 🙂
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Hi Eva-Marie
I write the books firstly for myself. I write about youth because it is a time where experiences are new and emotions are strong. Good luck with your presentation.
Cheers
Michael
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Hi Eva-Maria
Sorry for the slow reply. Hope it’s not too late. I have been busy doing a lot of travelling around Australia. In answer to your first question, it’s more that I like writing books about youth because it’s a time of new experiences and heightened emotions and discovering who you are. Ishmael and his friends are very real to me. As real as anyone I taught when I was a school teacher.
Cheers
Michael
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hi michael. i love all of u r books. i am a student of year 8. We just got a new project about the book Dont call me Ishmael” We have to do 4 thematic concers about the book. I already got 3 : freindship, bullying and team work. Can u help me by telling me one more thematic concer? I know u r the one who know best about this book obviouly!!!!
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Hi David
I’m guessing you mean ‘thematic concerns’. I like the ones you’ve come up with. To add to those I’d go for something like ‘the power of language’ or maybe ‘self-image or identity’. Good luck with the project.
Cheers
Michael
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Hello,
I remember when I was in Grade 9 and we had to read ‘Don’t Call Me Ishmael’ and write a monologue from the point of view of one of the characters. I loved the book so much that I was a bit starstruck when you came in a gave us a writing workshop! I found ‘Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs’ a while afterwards and thoroughly enjoyed that too!
Now it’s about 2 and a bit years later and I am just about to start Year 12 (tomorrow actually), and I found ‘Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel’ at the library and I was so excited! I just finished reading it and I really hope my last year can be as exciting as Ishmael’s!
Thank you so much for writing such inspiring and hilarious books!
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Hi Harriet
Thank you so much for that lovely message and for taking the time to follow Ishmael and the rest of the gang right through to their last day. I really loved writing about those characters. They all seem very real to me and it was a sad day when I had to say goodbye to them. If you’re interested there is a facebook page for the Ishmael series atThe Ishmael Series – Michael Gerard Bauer
Good luck with the first day of Year 12 tomorrow. I’m assuming your school is in Brisbane somewhere so I hope you haven’t been flooded out! Anyway be sure to make the most of your final year and particularly treasure the friends that share the journey with you. Friendship was always the key theme for me in the Ishmael stories. Oh and remember to laugh a lot and don’t be afraid to celebrate your ‘reverse cool’.
Cheers
Michael
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“Running Man” is my obligatory birthday present for my sisters, friends …..and what do they tell me? “It was wonderful, but I was crying so much……”. So I have to give them strong medicine: Ishmael! And what’s happening: they’re still crying! Thank you Michael, for making us shake with laughter!
Hope for more! Gisi, Germany
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Hi Gisi
Thank you so much! That is a lovely email to receive. I love the German editions of my books. Carl Hanser does a wonderful job. I hope I get the chance to visit Germany again before too long.
Cheers
Michael
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