Eric Bower is the author of The Bizarre Baron Inventions series. He was born in Denville, New Jersey, an event of which he has little recollection, yet the people who were there have repeatedly assured him that it happened. He currently lives in Pasadena, California. His favorite type of pasta is cavatappi, his favorite movie is The Palm Beach Story, and he is the proud recipient of a “Beanology Degree” from Jelly Belly University in Fairfield, California. His wife and family have told him that the degree is nothing to be proud of, since “It’s not a real degree. You know that . . . Right?” and “Eric, they literally give them to everyone who visits the Jelly Belly factory,” but he knows that they’re all just jealous.
..".about as wild as one might hope the West can get." - Kirkus
Reviews--Kirkus Reviews
"Beginning with the table of contents that hosts the creatively
named chapters--such as "I Felt Like a Marshmallow Wrapped in a
Doily"--The Magnificent Flying Baron Estate is an entertaining
middle grade novel set in 1891 in the wild west. Waldo Baron, or
W.B. as his parents call him, hates his name more than eating
pickled pigs feet for supper. He is heavyset and doesn't do well in
the heat. And to top it all off, his science-minded Pa and
mathematical-minded Ma have very anachronistic ideas that pose
quite the challenge for Waldo. He doesn't take science particularly
seriously, but his parents are inventors. Together they all live in
the Baron Estate in Pitchfork, Arizona Territory. Pitchfork is the
hot and dry home of the legendary Sheriff Graham, who is best known
for capturing the most wanted criminal in America, Benedict
Blackwood. One morning, Waldo awakens to see only blue from his
bedroom window. He discovers that his parents have worked out how
to make the Baron Estate float--no, fly! His parents enter a flying
contest and action-packed havoc ensues when they end up being
kidnapped by Benedict Blackwood's sister! Author Eric Bower sure
knows how to spin a yarn. Every part of the story has purpose and
the story builds upon each chapter. There are unexpected plot-twist
surprises that elicit laughter. His characters are vibrant and they
bring color to the story with their varying quirky traits: Aunt
Dorca is annoying and always singing; Iris (also known as Shorty)
is a name-caller but also well-meaning; Benedict Blackwood is, of
course, dastardly; Waldo is self-deprecating and kind; and Pa is as
smart as a tack and as forgetful as a goldfish. Other characters
bring color and thoughtfulness to the story because they are not
what they seem at all--in fact, they remind readers not to judge
people by what others tell us about them. The Magnificent Flying
Baron Estate is an enjoyable old-school Western with a contemporary
feel, thanks to the steampunk addition of Ma and Pa's inventions.
Including a scene with flying horse poop, kids ages 9-12 are bound
to enjoy this topsy-turvy tale with its funny moments of slapstick
comedy."--The Children's Book Review
"It's 1891 and Waldo Baron lives in the nothing-ever-happens town
of Pitchfork in the
middle of the desert. He constantly has to tolerate the wild and
crazy inventions both of his parents create and is embarrassed when
anyone comes to their house. One day he gets out of bed to find his
parents' latest scientific project is to make the house fly, way up
in the sky. Their plan is to win the Inventors' Contest in which
inventors enter their flying vehicles in a race across the country.
Waldo wishes at first that he was back on dry desert land but soon
learns that he is about to embark on the greatest adventure of his
life. Kids will want to come along for this action-packed flight as
Waldo defines his true character and learns how to be his best
self." - Story Monsters Ink--Story Monsters Ink
"Readers who enjoyed the movie Up and "Wallace and Gromit" will
embrace this humorous tale--all while learning about science,
language, humanity, and family in the bargain." - School Library
Journal--School Library Journal
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