Kurtis Scaletta

Kurtis Scaletta is the author of two middle grade novels. One is about
baseball, the other is about snakes. He has also written stories about bad
poetry, onion soup, overdue library books, and Steve Miller cover
bands: all the issues that young people grapple with.

Kurtis grew up in several states and a few foreign countries, including
Liberia, the setting of his second novel. He now makes his home in
Minneapolis with his wife and several cats. In addition to writing, he is an
instructional technology consultant in higher education.

Speaking/school visit information: Kurtis is not currently available for in-person visits during regular school hours due to other personal and professional obligations, but you can contact him regarding special events scheduled on evenings and weekends in the Twin Cities metro. As a former kids' book club facilitator, Kurtis enjoys real and virtual book club visits, schedule permitting. Contact him for more information.



					Mamba Point Knopf, 2010 young adult, ISBN 978-0375861802 When his dad gets a job at the U.S. embassy in Liberia, twelve-year-old Linus Tuttle knows it's his chance for a fresh start. Instead of being his typical anxious self, from now on he'll be cooler and bolder: the new Linus. But as soon as his family gets off the plane, they see a black mamba—one of the deadliest snakes in Africa. Unless Linus wants to hide in his apartment forever, he has to get over his fears. Soon he's not only keeping a black mamba in his laundry hamper; he's also feeling braver than ever before. Is it his resolution to become the new Linus, or does his sudden confidence have something to do with his scaly new friend?



					Mudville Knopf, 2009 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0375855795 Welcome to Moundville, where it’s been raining for longer Roy McGuire has been alive. Most people say the town is cursed—right in the middle of their biggest baseball game against rival town Sinister Bend, black clouds crept across the sky and it started to rain. That was 22 years ago...and it’s still pouring. Baseball camp is over, and Roy knows he’s in for a dreary, soggy summer. But when he returns home, he finds a foster kid named Sturgis sprawled out on his couch. As if this isn’t weird enough, just a few days after Sturgis’s arrival, the sun comes out. No one can explain why the rain has finally stopped, but as far as Roy’s concerned, it’s time to play some baseball. It’s time to get a Moundville team together and finish what was started 22 years ago. It’s time for a rematch. Awards Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year