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Joseph Caldara: The Man Behind “The Black Walrus” and His Mission to Entertain Middle-School Boys

Childhood Influences and the Birth of a Writer

Joseph Caldara, the creative mind behind "The Black Walrus," has been telling stories since he was just 8 years old. Influenced by authors like Dav Pilkey and J.R.R. Tolkien, Caldara's love for storytelling led him to create children's books aimed at middle-school boys.

Meet Alex Portobello: The Black Walrus Himself

Alex Portobello, the main character in Caldara's books, is an inventive, introverted, and quirky kid with an irradiated super-brain. He loves comic books and adventure stories and eventually becomes the self-made superhero, The Black Walrus. But he's not your typical superhero – he's a superhero trapped in a normal kid's body.

Whimsical Stories with Subtle Life Lessons

Caldara follows an "extreme Mary Poppins" philosophy when writing for middle-school boys. He believes that engaging stories should come first, with life lessons woven in subtly. These stories allow Caldara to share more nuanced lessons that resonate with older kids, like the importance of asking for help and trusting parents.

A Kid at Heart: Connecting with Middle-School Readers

As a grown man writing for middle-school readers, Caldara finds it easy to get into the mindset because he's a kid at heart. He believes that boys of all ages love action, adventure, and goofy humor, just like he does. By writing stories he would want to read, Caldara connects with his audience and creates books that both kids and adults can enjoy.

The World of "The Black Walrus" and More Adventures to Come

Caldara has big plans for "The Black Walrus" series, with six books currently planned and more to come. He's excited about the world-building opportunities that the superhero genre offers and enjoys injecting different characters and ideas into the same world. The second book, "The Black Walrus and Kevin," will expand on the world and introduce new characters.

Middle-School Readers: Not So Different After All

Caldara believes that today's middle-school readers aren't dramatically different from when he was that age. They still want a good story with fun characters, despite having different technology and influences. Caldara finds that the generation gap isn't as wide as some may think and that kids today can relate to the same things he did at their age.

Entertainment Without Agendas: The Black Walrus Stays Neutral

Caldara is not interested in pushing political or social ideas through his books. He wants to provide engaging and fun stories that any kid can enjoy without worrying about hidden agendas. Caldara sees entertainment as an escape from the problems of the real world and wants his books to offer that same escapism.

So if you're looking for a fun, exciting adventure with no political message or agenda, "The Black Walrus" series might be just what you need.

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