Synopsis

Could a fish hold the key to belief?

AJ and the Incredible Fish by Paolo Mazzucato is a captivating fantasy adventure that’s perfect for tweens aged 9-14, especially boys who love a blend of excitement and deeper meaning.

This story takes young readers on an unforgettable journey that blends the wonders of fantasy with the realities of growing up.

Eleven-year-old AJ is a relatable character who starts off skeptical of fairy tales and grand adventures, but when his Grandpa unexpectedly sets sail on a quest to find a legendary fish, AJ finds himself pulled into a world where anything is possible.

Alongside an eccentric girl named Livvy, AJ faces perilous challenges, encounters extraordinary characters, and discovers that the true adventure lies in believing in the impossible.

This book is more than just an adventure; it’s a story about trust, courage, and the power of belief. It encourages young readers to embrace their imagination, face their fears, and understand that sometimes, the greatest treasures in life are the dreams we dare to chase.

Ideal for parents, teachers, and librarians seeking a fantasy fiction adventure that inspires and entertains.

Don’t miss out—let AJ’s journey spark imaginations!

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Guest Post

The Inspiration Behind AJ and the Incredible Fish

The Inspiration for writing a story comes from many places, and sometimes you don’t even realize from where. My original sense of adventure, I believe, stemmed from travel with my family as a kid: family vacations, camping through New England or across the US into the West, trips to visit family in Italy and journeys into France and Greece with my uncle. The sense of exploration and discovery of new places fed my imagination, and later when I discovered fantasy in literature and movies… Gulliver’s Travels, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins… I began creating my own stories. I wrote shorts and stage plays, screenplays and eventually children’s books and novels to simply express an idea or maybe even build an entire world around a journey or theme.

AJ and the Incredible Fish is certainly a tale of fantasy and adventure, but it’s also a story of connection between a young boy and his Grandpa, a voyage that takes AJ from doubt and uncertainty to wonder and belief. So while the crazy journey makes for a fun narrative, it’s the characters and the way they interact and learn new things about themselves and about each other that holds the heart of the story. The novel is told in first person from AJ’s point of view, so everything and everyone he encounters during his journey is seen and described though his eleven-year-old eyes. His peculiar, young friend Livvy, who is also along for the ride, shares her bold and perhaps more willing-to-take-a-chance perspective as well, and their voice, together, makes the story more personal and whimsical for readers, young and old, because the language and youthful wonder is unmistakable.

AJ begins his journey, unwilling to trust adults and the stories they tell. He’s been disappointed by broken promises in the past, and has given up on dreams and unbelievable goals. So when he has to spend the weekend with his Grandpa who will undoubtedly spin some ridiculously incredible fish tale, AJ is not at all on board. But Grandpa senses that his grandson is at a crossroad, somewhere between the ordinary and extraordinary, and so he casts off, heading into the unknown to begin the quest to catch Old Gussie, an elusive dream of a fish. And that’s life for all of us, really——having to choose between what’s real or safe and what is a little incredible. And what AJ (and readers) may come to understand is that sometimes the most dangerous thing you can do in life is never leave the shore.

Excerpt

Grandpa straightened up and squared off. “Worse? What could be worse? Worse than giving up without a fight? Worse than surrendering to doubt or taking the easy way out. Believing that you can’t change the world? What kind of lesson is that for my grandson?”

“But Captain,” Marlin started—

“I am NOT your captain!” Grandpa said as he threw his cap down onto the table. Riley and Marlin took a step back, startled. I was stunned too.

I picked up Grandpa’s cap and carried it back to him. “Grandpa, it’s okay. It’s been a lot of fun. I mean…I didn’t really think we’d catch anything.”

With that, Grandpa’s expression changed. The stern look in his eyes faded like the sparkle had earlier. “I see,” he said finally. “Then your adventure really is over.”

– Excerpted from AJ and the Incredible Fish by Paolo Mazzucato, Bepi Books, 2024. Reprinted with permission

About the Author

Paolo Mazzucato is an American fiction author and screenwriter. He began his writing career as a Chicago playwright and award-winning student filmmaker before moving to Los Angeles where he won awards for screenwriting and scripted various projects for film and television. He is also the author of several children’s books including: “No One Mocks a Panda” (an Amazon #1 Best Seller, Feb. 2019), and “The Absolutely True Story of La Befana” (an Amazon Holiday Top 100 title). He is also the author of the fantasy/adventure novel, “The Gondoliers: The Secret Journals of Fanticulous Glim,” a “recommended” read by the US Review of Books.

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