Review sponsored* by Grown Ups and Downs
The Children’s Book Review | March 1, 2016
Black Day: The Monster Rock Band
Written by Marcus Sikora with Mardra Sikora
Illustrated by Noah Witchell
Age Range: 5-8
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: MCP Books (2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1634134415
What to expect: Halloween, Monsters, Determination, Inclusion
Paperboy Brad dreams of being the bass player in a rock band. While out delivering newspapers on Halloween morning, he hears music coming from a spooky garage and discovers a band made up entirely of monsters. The band’s name is Black Day and Brad wants to join the motley crew. Their strongly worded answer is: “No humans!” Brad won’t take no for an answer and he is determined to become a Black Day band member—after all, there is no reason that he should not be included in the band. He goes home for his bass guitar and when he returns the story gets going with intrigue and an exciting monster ending.
Author Marcus Sikora is a 25-year-old with Down syndrome and a knack for creative storytelling. He works closely with his mom, Mardra Sikora, who transcribes his stories for him. Black Day: The Monster Rock Band is his first book and readers will enjoy the imaginative plot he has created. The main character’s desire to be a part of something bigger than himself will be well received, not to mention his courage to go after what he wants despite having to approach a group of scary characters. Readers will eventually discover the characters aren’t scary at all. The illustrations are dimensional, expressive, and just plain fun. They have an animated movie quality to them and bring some humor and special messages of their own.
Just as a Halloween tradition is created for the people in Brad’s neighborhood, we suspect that Black Day: The Monster Rock Band will find a place in many young readers’ annual Halloween reading lists.
Add this book to your collection: Black Day: The Monster Rock Band
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Book Trailer
About the Authors
Marcus Sikora is a 25 year old creative soul who has Down syndrome and lives in Omaha, Nebraska. He has acted on stage with local and national companies as well as written a short one act.
Black Day: The Monster Rock Band is his first book for children. When he’s not watching theater, singing, or working out, he’s contemplating the sequel, title yet to be determined.
You can connect with Marcus and his adventures via Twitter @marcusmusical, Facebook/GrownUpsAndDowns, and BlackDayBook.com
Mardra Sikora is an author, speaker, & advocate who believes in the power of words and uses both fiction and non-fiction to advocate for and with her adult son, Marcus. Author of “Essay: Arguing Eugenics,” and The Future and Other Twists: A collection of short and super-short stories. Co-Author of The Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome: Advice, Information, Inspiration, and Support for Raising Your Child from Diagnosis through Adulthood. Her work is also included in a variety of anthologies, national websites including The Huffington Post, and at mardrasikora.com and via Twitter @Mardrasikora
About the Illustrator
Noah Witchell is a 3D artist living in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife and two sons. When he’s not illustrating books he makes 3D content for concerts and television specials. In his free time he likes drinking coffee, cooking, playing music, and building Legos. www.noahwitchell.com
More About Marcus Sikora and the Project
Book Giveaway
Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st with Marcus Sikora, an author with Down syndrome, by entering to win an autographed copy of Black Day: The Monster Rock Band, written by Marcus Sikora with Mardra Sikora. Enter daily through March 31, 2016!
Two (2) winners receive:
- A copy of Black Day: The Monster Rock Band, autographed by Marcus Sikora.
Age Range: 4-9
Hardcover: 40 pages
Giveaway begins March 1, 2016, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends March 31, 2016, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. The co-author of “Black Day: The Monster Rock Band,” Mardra Sikora, paid for this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …
