Don Calame

Don Calame is an American author known for writing humorous young adult and middle-grade fiction. His work frequently features male protagonists navigating adolescence, friendship, and awkward situations with a comedic tone. Before becoming an author, Calame worked as a screenwriter in Los Angeles, writing scripts for various studios including Disney and MGM. He published his first novel "Swim the Fly" in 2009, which became the first book in a trilogy followed by "Beat the Band" and "Call the Shots." His books often deal with themes of teenage male friendships, first relationships, and coming-of-age experiences. Notable works include "Dan Versus Nature" (2016) and "The Delusionist" (2014), which maintain his characteristic blend of humor and authentic teenage perspectives. Calame splits his time between British Columbia and Los Angeles, continuing to write both novels and screenplays. His work has been recognized through various state reading lists and young reader awards.

Readers highlight Calame's ability to capture authentic teenage male voices and humor that appeals to reluctant readers. Parents and teachers note his books engage boys who typically avoid reading, with one librarian on Goodreads stating "finally, books my male students actually want to read." Readers praise: - Realistic dialogue and friendship dynamics - Humor that connects with target age group (12-15) - Fast-paced plots that maintain interest Common criticisms: - Crude humor and sexual references make some parents uncomfortable - Some find the physical comedy too slapstick - Later books in series seen as less fresh than debuts Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Swim the Fly: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) - Beat the Band: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) - Dan Vs. Nature: 3.7/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.2/5 across titles, with reviewers frequently mentioning these books got their sons interested in reading.

Swim the Fly - Three teenage boys make a summer pact to see a naked girl while one simultaneously trains to swim the butterfly stroke for his swim team.

Beat the Band - A teenage drummer is paired with an unpopular girl for a health class project about safe sex, complicating his band's chances in an upcoming Battle of the Bands competition.

Call the Shots - Three friends attempt to make a low-budget horror film to earn money, despite having no filmmaking experience.

Dan Versus Nature - A teenage prankster is sent on a wilderness survival trip with his mother's new fiancé, leading to unexpected challenges and misadventures.

Gordon Korman writes humorous fiction for middle-grade and young adult readers, focusing on male protagonists dealing with school, sports, and misadventures. His books like "Schooled" and "Ungifted" feature similar comedy and authentic boy perspectives as Calame's work.

Jordan Sonnenblick creates stories about teenage boys navigating challenging situations while maintaining humor throughout. His characters face real issues like illness and family problems while using wit and sarcasm as coping mechanisms.

Dan Gutman produces books centered on sports, school life, and male friendships with elements of humor and mischief. His writing style incorporates similar themes of boys getting into trouble and dealing with everyday challenges.

Pete Hautman writes contemporary fiction about teenage boys dealing with identity, relationships, and growing up. His work features authentic male voices and natural dialogue comparable to Calame's style.

Chris Rylander develops stories about boys involved in elaborate schemes and misadventures with strong elements of humor. His books include similar themes of friendship, school life, and getting into and out of trouble.