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Eric Vale
Eric Vale - Epic Fail
Ever Had a stupid nickname?
A rotten run of bad luck?
A best friend who just looks on the bright side-even when the bright side is black?
Well, Eric Vale's got all three, and they're pushing him towards the Epic-est of all Epic Fails!
A rotten run of bad luck?
A best friend who just looks on the bright side-even when the bright side is black?
Well, Eric Vale's got all three, and they're pushing him towards the Epic-est of all Epic Fails!
- GenresHumor
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
7 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Michael Gerard Bauer
44 books69 followersMichael Gerard Bauer was born and lives in Brisbane Australia. In 2000 he resigned from his full-time position as an English/Economics teacher to pursue his dream of becoming a writer.
In 2004 his first YA novel The Running Man was published to great acclaim. It subsequently won the 2005 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year for Older Readers and was short-listed for the NSW, Victoria and South Australian State Premiers’ Literary awards.
In 2008 the German translation of The Running Man was short-listed for the German Youth Literature Prize and won the German Catholic Children’s and Young People’s Book Prize. In 2014 it was short-listed for the Prix Farniente in Belgium. In 2009 the Italian translation of The Running Man was a finalists for the “Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento” Prize.
In 2007 his second novel, a ‘laugh out loud’ comedy entitled Don’t Call Me Ishmael! was short-listed in both the CBCA awards and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and won the 2007 Children’s Peace Literature Award and the 2008 South Australian Festival Award for Children’s Literature. It was also included in the 2007 White Ravens selection for Outstanding International Books for children and young adults. Its sequel Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs was a 2008 CBCA Notable book. The final book in the trilogy Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel and was released in July 2011. It was shortlisted for the 2012 CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers.
Michael’s other books include, Dinosaur Knights a 2010 CBCA Notable Book described as ‘an original and adrenalin-pumping adventure’, You Turkeys! an illustrated chapter book, part of the Scholastic Mates series for early readers, and Just a Dog which was named Honour Book in the 2011 CBCA awards in the Younger Readers category and won the 2011 Queensland Premier's award for best Children's Book.
Michael has also written a series of three humorous books for younger readers: Eric Vale Epic Fail; (BILBY Award Winner 2014; KOALA Honour Book 2014) Eric Vale Super Male; (CBCA Notable Book 2014) and Eric Vale Off the Rails (Selected as one of the 2013 GET READING 50 Books You Can't Put Down). The books are fully illustrated by Michael's son Joe who as well as being a talented artist is an amazing young film-maker and along with his wife Rita Artmann make up Artspear Entertainment the creators of the extremely popular TOON SANDWICH film trailer spoofs on You Tube. Joe also created the trailer for Eric Vale Epic Fail.
The first of spin-off series from the Eric Vale books Secret Agent Derek 'Danger' Dale: The Case of Animals Behaving Really REALLY Badly came out in July 2014. Two other Derek Dale action adventures The Case of the Really REALLY Scary Things and The Case of the Really REALLY Magnetic Magnetic have now been released.
In May 2016 the YA comedy The Pain, My Mother, Sir Tiffy, Cyber Boy and Me was released. Michael's first picture book Rodney Loses It! illustrated by Chrissie Krebs was published in September 2017. It won the 2018 CBCA Award in the Early Readers category as well as the 2018 Speech Therapy Award. His most recent YA book The Things That Will Not Stand won the 2019 Prime Minister's Award in the YA category and was a White Ravens selection
These days Michael is a full-time writer. His books are widely set as school texts and he is in high demand for talks and workshops at schools and Festivals around Australia. He has also enjoyed three very successful visits to Indonesia as a Writer in Residence at the Jakarta International School (2007 and 2008) and the British International School (2008). As well he has visited the American community School in Abu Dhabi (2012) and spent three weeks at schools in Southern China. In 2010 Michael was one of the guest authors at the White Ravens International Children’s and Youth Literature Festival in Munich Germany and in 2012 he was invited to the Edinburgh Writers festival.
Michael’s books are curre
In 2004 his first YA novel The Running Man was published to great acclaim. It subsequently won the 2005 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year for Older Readers and was short-listed for the NSW, Victoria and South Australian State Premiers’ Literary awards.
In 2008 the German translation of The Running Man was short-listed for the German Youth Literature Prize and won the German Catholic Children’s and Young People’s Book Prize. In 2014 it was short-listed for the Prix Farniente in Belgium. In 2009 the Italian translation of The Running Man was a finalists for the “Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento” Prize.
In 2007 his second novel, a ‘laugh out loud’ comedy entitled Don’t Call Me Ishmael! was short-listed in both the CBCA awards and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and won the 2007 Children’s Peace Literature Award and the 2008 South Australian Festival Award for Children’s Literature. It was also included in the 2007 White Ravens selection for Outstanding International Books for children and young adults. Its sequel Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs was a 2008 CBCA Notable book. The final book in the trilogy Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel and was released in July 2011. It was shortlisted for the 2012 CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers.
Michael’s other books include, Dinosaur Knights a 2010 CBCA Notable Book described as ‘an original and adrenalin-pumping adventure’, You Turkeys! an illustrated chapter book, part of the Scholastic Mates series for early readers, and Just a Dog which was named Honour Book in the 2011 CBCA awards in the Younger Readers category and won the 2011 Queensland Premier's award for best Children's Book.
Michael has also written a series of three humorous books for younger readers: Eric Vale Epic Fail; (BILBY Award Winner 2014; KOALA Honour Book 2014) Eric Vale Super Male; (CBCA Notable Book 2014) and Eric Vale Off the Rails (Selected as one of the 2013 GET READING 50 Books You Can't Put Down). The books are fully illustrated by Michael's son Joe who as well as being a talented artist is an amazing young film-maker and along with his wife Rita Artmann make up Artspear Entertainment the creators of the extremely popular TOON SANDWICH film trailer spoofs on You Tube. Joe also created the trailer for Eric Vale Epic Fail.
The first of spin-off series from the Eric Vale books Secret Agent Derek 'Danger' Dale: The Case of Animals Behaving Really REALLY Badly came out in July 2014. Two other Derek Dale action adventures The Case of the Really REALLY Scary Things and The Case of the Really REALLY Magnetic Magnetic have now been released.
In May 2016 the YA comedy The Pain, My Mother, Sir Tiffy, Cyber Boy and Me was released. Michael's first picture book Rodney Loses It! illustrated by Chrissie Krebs was published in September 2017. It won the 2018 CBCA Award in the Early Readers category as well as the 2018 Speech Therapy Award. His most recent YA book The Things That Will Not Stand won the 2019 Prime Minister's Award in the YA category and was a White Ravens selection
These days Michael is a full-time writer. His books are widely set as school texts and he is in high demand for talks and workshops at schools and Festivals around Australia. He has also enjoyed three very successful visits to Indonesia as a Writer in Residence at the Jakarta International School (2007 and 2008) and the British International School (2008). As well he has visited the American community School in Abu Dhabi (2012) and spent three weeks at schools in Southern China. In 2010 Michael was one of the guest authors at the White Ravens International Children’s and Youth Literature Festival in Munich Germany and in 2012 he was invited to the Edinburgh Writers festival.
Michael’s books are curre
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 7, 2014
I actually enjoyed this more more than I did others in this genre. It was witty and generally had a positive message. Most of all I liked that it was Australian, making it more relatable. I did however, struggle through the over-the-top scenarios in the book - but then I am an adult reading a kids book. I would heartily recommend this for 8-12 year olds if they like comedy or Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
January 3, 2013
'Eric Vale: Epic Fail' is a comedy with heart. The story features loveable characters in humurous scenarios - and is brought to life by brilliant, comic-style illustrations by son of the author, Joe Bauer.
This is the first book in the Eric Vale trilogy, and I'm hanging out for the next!
Recommended for kids of all ages.
This is the first book in the Eric Vale trilogy, and I'm hanging out for the next!
Recommended for kids of all ages.
January 15, 2018
3.5 stars.
A short, easy to read book for younger readers. There were a couple of funny moments in the book but the story was short on plot and big on characters.
The ending was unexpected but also slightly anticlimactic.
The illustrations by the author’s son were awesome.
A good book for younger readers, especially boys in grade 3 or 4.
A short, easy to read book for younger readers. There were a couple of funny moments in the book but the story was short on plot and big on characters.
The ending was unexpected but also slightly anticlimactic.
The illustrations by the author’s son were awesome.
A good book for younger readers, especially boys in grade 3 or 4.
November 25, 2016
This is one of those books that you buy as a parent and then your kid rejects it based on the cover alone. We have a ton of those and this book would have remained unread for all time if I hadn't taken it and announced that THIS IS WHAT I AM READING and then I proceeded to do so. In the end my son (10) liked it moderately but wasn't in love with it and hasn't asked for the others in the series. However it is written at such a level with so many pictures that I may foist it upon my younger child who resists reading on her own. I think this is the perfect level for her (or will be every soon) - Grade 3.
June 22, 2022
Eric Vale is a nerdy, comic strip writing kid, who creates a character 'Derek Danger', who is way more interesting than what his teacher is saying. This gets him into all sorts of bother. He earns the nickname Eric Vale Epic Fail, which he hates.
MGB is a wonderful speaker and clearly, a man who has taught kids for years and thinks like a kid. He was thrilled to be able to create this book with his son doing the illustrations. Crazy comic book style Eric Vale is DOOMED to FAIL.
I've read and reviewed lots of Michael Gerard Bauer's books. Including the 'Ishmael' Series and 'Just a Dog'. Kids will love this book.
MGB is a wonderful speaker and clearly, a man who has taught kids for years and thinks like a kid. He was thrilled to be able to create this book with his son doing the illustrations. Crazy comic book style Eric Vale is DOOMED to FAIL.
I've read and reviewed lots of Michael Gerard Bauer's books. Including the 'Ishmael' Series and 'Just a Dog'. Kids will love this book.
April 4, 2015
A fun book about trying hard too hard to succeed and having that effort become counter-productive. Focusing too hard on trying to do something makes it more difficult to actually do it.
An excellent word of wisdom at the end: "Just because you have some epic fails in your life, it doesn't mean you are one."
Eric is also a good model for what good writers do – they have an imagination, and they write frequently. Unfortunately, as a teacher, I forget this and try to keep kids on the task that we are working on at that time.
An excellent word of wisdom at the end: "Just because you have some epic fails in your life, it doesn't mean you are one."
Eric is also a good model for what good writers do – they have an imagination, and they write frequently. Unfortunately, as a teacher, I forget this and try to keep kids on the task that we are working on at that time.
November 18, 2012
Well created for this style of book! Had some laugh aloud moments....middle primary will love it, especially the boys.
February 10, 2013
Oooh, you'll have to wait for my full length review. In short: Never short on style, wit or susbstance. Another EPIC WIN.
December 1, 2012
Okay read.
April 21, 2013
Read this with my cousin and he really loved the illustrations, while I thought the text was fun. A great book for young boys (and girls) by a great children's/young adult author
Read
February 20, 2014Really good book. I enjoyed it a lot. I love reading Michael Gerard Bauer books.
Want to read
October 21, 2015cool
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews