Braden Bell releases third novel, "Penumbras"

Tennessee teacher and author Braden Bell will release his third novel, “Penumbras,” on July 9, 2013.

“Penumbras” is the sequel to 2012’s “The Kindling,” which received positive reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and VOYA.

“Penumbras” follows the adventures of three almost-average seventh graders as they begin training to become Magi—warriors of the Light. However, along the way, they discover that light and dark exist in every heart, and that sometimes the most serious battles with evil are those fought inside one’s own soul.

As a middle school teacher, Bell writes naturally about the world of middle school, and the relationship between teachers and students informs this fantasy-adventure. 

Although the characters in the book are not modeled on any specific real-life counterparts, Bell is always listening for new phrases and watching for new situations that might provide fodder for the series. A particularly sad and poignant encounter between a teacher and student in the book was inspired by a real-life situation, although Bell used his imagination to embellish and make it fit the fictional reality.

The Middle School Magic series – to which “The Kindling” and “Penumbras” belong – was born four years ago, during a fierce Tennessee storm when Bell imagined a battle between the forces of Light and Dark. He stayed up all night writing—and then spent the next two years finishing and revising the first book. 

“Penumbras” is available on Amazon.

About the Author:

Braden Bell teaches theatre and choir at Harding Academy. He holds a Ph.D. from NYU and worked at the Nashville Children’s Theatre before moving to his current position. He and his wife are the parents of five children and live on a quiet, tree-lined lot. “Penumbras” is his third novel