Brian Meehl

Brian Meehl is an American author of young adult novels and a former puppeteer who worked on numerous children's television shows including "Sesame Street" and "The Magic Garden." His career in television spanned over 20 years before he transitioned to writing novels for young readers. As an author, Meehl has published several notable works including "Out of Patience" (2006), "Suck It Up" (2008), "Suck It Up and Die" (2012), and "Blowback" series. His books often blend elements of humor with deeper themes, exploring topics like vampire mythology, time travel, and coming-of-age stories. The "Blowback" trilogy, consisting of "Blowback '07," "Blowback '63," and "Blowback '94," follows teenage characters who travel through time using an ancient horn. His work frequently incorporates historical elements and sports themes, particularly football, which serves as a connecting thread across different time periods in his narratives. Meehl's background in children's television has influenced his writing style, which employs visual storytelling techniques and character-driven narratives. He continues to write and participate in literary events, sharing his experiences in both television and publishing.

Readers appreciate Meehl's ability to blend historical fiction with time travel elements. His books receive particular recognition for accurate historical details and sports sequences, with several readers noting the authentic portrayal of football across different eras. Liked: - Engaging characters that connect with teen readers - Educational value through historical elements - Fast-paced plotting - Humor mixed with serious themes - Clear, accessible writing style for young adults Disliked: - Some readers found the pacing slow in early chapters - Technical football terminology can be challenging for non-fans - Time travel mechanics confused some readers Ratings: Goodreads: - Suck It Up: 3.7/5 (500+ ratings) - Out of Patience: 3.5/5 (200+ ratings) - Blowback '07: 4.1/5 (100+ ratings) Amazon: - Blowback series averages 4.3/5 - Suck It Up series averages 4.0/5 One reviewer noted: "Meehl excels at making historical periods feel alive and relevant to modern teens."

Out of Patience A 13-year-old boy confronts his family's plumbing heritage and small-town mysteries while dealing with the legacy of his great-grandfather's invention of the flush toilet.

Suck It Up A teenage vampire graduates from the International Vampire League and attempts to become the first vampire to come out publicly in human society.

Suck It Up and Die The vampire Morning McCobb returns to face a new threat from an anti-vampire group while protecting his human girlfriend.

Blowback '07 Two siblings discover an ancient horn that transports them back to 1907 where they become entangled in historical events surrounding football.

Blowback '63 The time-traveling siblings journey to 1863 during the Civil War period, where they face challenges amid historical conflicts.

Blowback '94 The final installment of the Blowback trilogy sends the protagonists to 1994, connecting modern and historical football through time travel.

Gordon Korman writes middle-grade and young adult novels that blend humor with adventure across multiple genres. His experience writing for young readers since his teenage years has resulted in over 80 books including time travel stories and sports-themed series.

Neal Shusterman creates science fiction and fantasy novels for young adults that tackle complex philosophical themes. His works feature intricate plotting and alternate realities while maintaining accessibility for teenage readers.

Catherine Jinks specializes in vampire-themed young adult fiction with historical elements and humor. Her books combine supernatural elements with well-researched historical settings and strong character development.

Kenneth Oppel writes adventure stories for young readers that mix science fiction elements with coming-of-age themes. His work features detailed world-building and explores relationships between young protagonists facing extraordinary circumstances.

Pete Hautman creates young adult novels that combine sports themes with elements of fantasy and science fiction. His books feature male protagonists dealing with identity and change while participating in athletics or competition.