Rising Author: Marcelo Almora, Campbell Middle School

The ninth annual Campbell Union School District Rising Young Authors Series includes 13 students from throughout the district.

Marcelo Almora is the Campbell Middle School winner, with his book, Mumbo's First Act.

Campbell Patch asked seven questions of the middle schooler and here is what he had to say.

Campbell Patch: Why do you like to write?

Marcelo Almora: I like to write because it makes me feel good that I am writing about stuff I like! Like in real life. If you do not like your life because nothing is going the way you want it to be, you can change that in a book! Anything is possible when you write!

Patch: What do you like to write about?

Marcelo: I like to write about either comedy or suspense, or something new that I'm still working on: sadness. I like to write about these things because it excites me to have great ideas about them.

Patch: What is your favorite book?

Marcelo: My favorite book is probably GONE or THE ENEMY because in both of these books lies a really cool similarity that I love to read about: All the adults disappearing.

Patch: Do you have a favorite character? What do you like about them?

Marcelo: My favorite character is probably Luffy from the manga series ONE PIECE. I like how he is so carefree and lazy but inside is incredibly strong.

Patch: Do you have a favorite author? What do you like about them?

Marcelo: I do not have a favorite author because I like all kind of authors! I like how with every book your read, the emotions, the sense of justices, or the mood of the book is changed! If I just stuck with one author, then it would be really boring!

Patch: What is your book about?

Marcelo: My book "Mumbo's First Act" is about two boys (Reggie and Allen) going to mysterious showing in a theater when their day is suddenly turned upside down by an evil magician named Mumbo, who wants to trap them in another dimension!

Patch: Why is writing important to you?

Marcelo: Writing is important to me because it lets me fulfill all my dreams and needs in the form of a story! Anything I could ever want cold be transformed into a plot for my next book!

Excerpt of Mumbo's First Act is under photos to the right.

To read, vote on and purchase this book, visit this site.

The award ceremony takes place Nov. 9, 7:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in the Pruneyard.