A CANADIAN SUPERSTAR: Kenneth Oppel has been writing novels for children for many years. The first book in his Silverwing series was published. in 1997, and has gone on to sell over a million copies worldwide.

MULTI-AWARD WINNER: The Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature; The Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award; The Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award (four times); The Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature; The Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award (five times); and multiple children’s choice awards.

HIGH VISIBILITY: Canadian media, festivals, schools — Ken is just so well-known here in Canada, every time he publishes a book he gets great press.

BRINGING KEN IN-HOUSE/PUBLISHING FAMILY: Nancy Siscoe has been his editor at Knopf for Inkling and the MG trilogy Bloom (third book publishing in May) and we are thrilled to publish Ken on both sides of the border.

COMPELLING STORYTELLER: Ken writes for a wide range of ages, but middle grade is his current passion; his novels are varied in theme but are always compelling and page-turning.

A FRESH AND VERY SCARY TAKE ON THE CLASSIC GHOST STORY: A fast-paced, high-stakes action adventure for upper middle-grade readers.

TORONTO SETTING: Toronto Island is one of Ken’s favorite places in the city, and he has meticulously researched the sites on it, including the historic Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, which is the oldest existing lighthouse on the Great Lakes, and one of Toronto’s oldest buildings.

KENNETH OPPEL wrote his first novel at age fourteen. His books include Bloom, the first book in the Bloom trilogy; the Silverwing trilogy, which has sold over a million copies around the world; and Airborn, winner of the Governor General’s Award and a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. He is also the author of Half Brother, This Dark Endeavour, The Boundless, The Nest, Every Hidden Thing, and Inkling, which the New York Times Book Review called “astonishing.” Ken lives with his family in Toronto. Kennethoppel.ca

Author Residence: Toronto, Ontario

Author Hometown: Port Alberni, British Columbia

A Globe 100 Best Book of 2022
An Indigo Best Kids' Book of 2022

"Oppel's latest begs to be made into a movie: visually cinematic with witty humor, nonstop action, a dash of romance, and plenty of heart." —STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal

"With a high-stakes premise, harrowing growing pains and moments as chilling as midnight ocean spray, Oppel plays his readers' nerves like an out-of-tune harp. Gabe is instantly likable and leads a believable cast with hearts that thump (or did once) through a tangible setting with a deep sense of history." —New York Times

"Ghostbusters meets Stranger Things in Oppel’s perceptive supernatural thriller." —Publishers Weekly

"Friendship with ghosts can be chilling. A spooktacular story that’s surprisingly insightful." —Kirkus Reviews

"Action and horror elements propel the fast-paced narrative." —Booklist

"Even as a battle between good and evil looms . . . this novel offers a timely nod to the utility of ghost stories in healing." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This teen ghost hunter tale set near Toronto is stuffed full of paranormal action and seasoned with local history and solid friendships. . . . [A] fun ride." —Common Sense Media

"[T]he torment of the unjustly departed is vivid and occasionally humorous . . . Ghostlight is a solid addition to a middle-grade fantasy library." —CM Magazine

"[W]ith an exciting climax at the peak of the CN Tower, this is for readers with strong stomachs and a taste for the macabre." —Winnipeg Free Press

"[Oppel] creates characters that captivate and stay with the reader. . . . The action sometimes takes a gruesome turn, but there is humour and emotion in this text as well." —Montreal Gazette