Awards2011 Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner (Children's/Juvenile Fiction) Accelerated Reader Quiz #150476 (BL: 4.5, Pts: 9, MG) Description High-tech gadgetry and ancient magic has done little to aid in the centuries old search for Santa's rogue assistant, Servant Rupert. But Servant Rupert has been searching for someone too the fabled Pole, the one person who can see Santa. But the search has not fared well for Servant Rupert. To make matters worse his agents have contacted Santa s forces wishing to defect. A risky plan is quickly set in motion by Santa s Special Forces to divulge the location of Jakob Jablonski, the Pole, in hopes it will lead to the capture of Santa s forever naughty helper. Wasting little time, Servant Rupert recklessly contacts Jakob. In the ensuing mayhem live snowmen deliver curse letters, a neighborhood boy is turned to smoke and Jakob is drawn into the mystery of Santa and his dastardly rogue assistant when proclaimed a Pole by the attacking smoke form of Servant Rupert. He quickly demands that Jakob catch Santa...or he will turn everyone Jakob cares for into coal! Jakob and his band of friends, partnering with elf spies and rogue agents of Servant Rupert, begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot involving more than just catching Santa. Now it is up to Jakob and his friends to set a trap to lure SR out into the open using Santa as the bait. In his exquisitely written fantasy debut and 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner, David M. F. Powers, aka Marc Franco creates an original yet simple world while staying true the traditions of Santa. Jakob's adventurous journey to self-acceptance of his destiny is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page. Praise for The Kringle Chronicles: "my daughter talked about this book... the entire dinner time!" Kelly Shrieves, Publisher, Macaroni Kid "I think the book is going to be a best seller!" Laura Brainard, NBCT, Library Media Specialist, Lakeview Middle School "...a good read it is." Dr. Frann Kelley-Rodriguez, Crisis Prevention Institute "Catching Santa is now a very popular book in our media center and is being requested daily!" Betsy Bernstein, Media Center Secretary, Nelson Elementary School"The book is great." Todd Merrick, Owner, Heroes Landing Comics "We haven't been able to keep the book on the library shelf!" Susan Tkacik, School Media Specialist, Maniscalco Elementary "The copies of your book were scooped up as soon as they hit the shelf. Looking forward to the sequels." Teresa Nichols, Media Specialist, Neptune Elementary School "The students are really enjoying the book. And so am I!" Teresa McGrew, Library Media Specialist, Lake Whitney Elementary "My class loves it!" Michelle Schultes, Third Grade Teacher, Windermere Elementary "the Kids loved it..." Joyanne Herdman, Media Specialist, Bailey Elementary School "While Catching Santa sounds like a seasonal title, I have just finished reading it and know that it is more a fantasy adventure." Joy Price, Media Specialist, Gold Hill Elementary