Ann Birdgenaw – Canadian author of middle-grade fiction.Elementary school librarian by day. Science fiction author by night.
Wow! I have amazing news! Book 3 in my series, Ka’Azula, is nominated for an Aurora Award for Best Young Adult Novel, 2023! I am thrilled and honored to be among these fantastic SFF Canadian talents. Somebody pinch me!
https://www.csffa.ca/awards-information/current-ballot/
AND I almost forgot to mention that I got a really nice quote about my series from our first Canadian Astronaut who is a politician in Montreal.
AWARD WINNING SERIES
BLACK HOLE RADIO
Do you believe in black holes, wormholes, wrinkles in time? Are you interested in space travel and alien encounters that lead to amazing adventures? If not, do not open this book. If yes, get ready for a fun-filled adventure to thrill your imagination.
“Read Black Hole Radio and let your imagination soar. It is curiosity and imagination that lead to all discoveries. Don’t forget them as you grow up.” The Honorable Marc Garneau, Député | M.P., Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount and Astronaut – First Canadian in outer space.
Black Hole Radio – The series
Fifth-graders Hawk and his best friend Matt are fascinated by outer space and its mysteries. They even have their very own space-club. Little do the boys know that they are about to get a closer look at other galaxies and universes beyond their wildest imaginations. A radio left behind by Hawk’s grandfather opens a wormhole to outerspace – one through which the two fifth-graders are transported to a planetoid in a far-off galaxy. But can our heroes defeat the Boogers from Boogernaut and learn how to deal with their own bully at school? Stay tuned to Black Hole Radio!
Book 2 – Bilaluna
Incipere Award Winner (2021) – First Place, Children’s Category! What happens when you have an active wormhole in your garage? Hawk finds out when he invites the new girl Celeste to the space club. The Black Hole Radio summons them down the hyperspace highway…. all the way to Pooponic’s moon, Bilaluna, which is inhabited by giant cyborg insects! Mutated Earth insects – but how did they get there? And how can they stop the climate disaster that forced them to leave Pooponic from destroying their beautiful new home on Bilaluna?Join Hawk, Matt and Celeste on another intergalactic adventure as they are carried over the treetops by giant cyborg flies, race on the backs of cyborg roaches through an alien rainforest and sip nectar with the Queen Bee at a totally incredible intergalactic tea party! Stay tuned!
Join Hawk, Matt and Celeste on another intergalactic adventure as they are carried over the treetops by giant cyborg flies, race on the backs of cyborg roaches through an alien rainforest and sip nectar with the Queen Bee at a totally incredible intergalactic tea party! Stay tuned!
Book 3 – Ka’Azula
Finalist for the Aurora Award for Best Young Adult Novel, 2023!
Fifth-graders Hawk, Matt and Celeste have been given special gifts by the amazing aliens they’ve met so far on their intergalactic adventures. ESP and telekinesis come in handy when they are transported to the racist planet, Ka’Azula, where only blue skin is accepted. They have an action-packed adventure in a matrix-type video game with azulanimals and azulizards and a tricky escape room finale. With help from a sweet, red-skinned alien named Teal, they prove that what counts is not outside skin color but what’s on the inside. But does Matt now understand what his father’s family has to endure on Planet Earth?
Book 4 – Labyrinthia
Hawk, Matt, and Celeste’s adventures are just beginning! They learn to control their special powers to get on the team and win the big basketball game. They are superstars! What can go wrong? Lots, when Hawk gets stuck with Big Mikey as his science buddy, he comes snooping around the clubhouse and the Black Hole Radio . . . Beep! Beep! Beep! Not again! Can the friends survive in the deep dark caves of Planet Labyrinthia? Can they avoid the taser-wielding goons and the monstrous, screeching Hellion to free the alien children enslaved in the mine? Hawk must use his Grandpa’s journals to control the radio, and save them all from the belly of the beast . . . but where’s Mikey! Stay tuned!
“By the final pages, readers will know that the [friends’] adventures aren’t over. Everyone that picks up a copy will be eagerly waiting for the next installment in the story. Anyone that is looking for a fun and imaginative story will enjoy spending time with Hawk, Matt, Celeste, Wolfie, and the rest of their [quirky] friends.” —Entrada Book Review
Do you believe in black holes, wormholes, wrinkles in time? Are you interested in space travel and alien encounters that lead to amazing adventures? If not, do not open this book. If yes, get ready for a fun-filled adventure to thrill your imagination.
“Black Hole Radio also sucks readers in and doesn’t let go until the story ends. The vivid descriptions will keep kids and adults entertained. [It] fuels the imagination, while also imparting an important message. It seems that even advanced intelligent alien races can be bullies and even enslave those living on other planets. Friendship, peace, and acceptance are the themes in Black Hole Radio [and] to always follow your passion and believe in yourself.”
(Entrada Publishing Review)
“Get ready for an outer space adventure that sends best friends Hawk and Matt on a crazy ride through all sorts of bizarre alien encounters that will have young readers, particularly those intrigued by space travel, itching to get their hands on the next book, Black Hole Radio – Bilaluna. (Excerpt from Feathered Quill Review)
Ann Birdgenaw’s story offers fun action for 8- to 12-year-olds who dream of outer space, aliens, and being heroes. It’s a fine leisure read designed to bring intrigue to all kinds of readers, and excels in capturing interest with a first-person piece that is vividly laced with nonstop action. (Midwest Book Review – Children’s Bookwatch Sept. 2021)
“Friendship, peace, and acceptance are the themes in Black Hole Radio – Ka’Azula. Even if it doesn’t yet apply to alien races in ‘real-life’ it is still something everyone should strive for in their lives. In a sense, the author wants her readers to apply the same beliefs in love, peace, and friendship that Hawk and Matt [and Celeste] share.”
(Entrada Book Review)
Reader Reviews
This book was fun. Younger middle grade readers will find this hilarious story a perfect read. With lots of odd names and crazy happenings kids will love this story! The author knows her audience. As an adult reader I appreciated the little hidden gem references to pop culture. The touching ending is sweet and a perfect way to finish, I am sure readers will look forward to more Blackhole radio adventures. – Nancy McConnell, middle-grade author of Into the Lion’s Mouth
Black Hole Radio – Bilaluna by Ann Birdgenaw is a captivating story with a profound message. It imparts immense knowledge about insects and their role in the ecosystem. Three friends Matt, Hawk and Celeste get sucked into a wormhole and are transported to another planet, surrounded by alien creatures but they are amazed that they could communicate with the bugs and the adventure begins! – Balroop Singh, Poet/author of Timeless Echoes
This is an entertaining adventure in the genre of space fantasy for young readers, with great lessons about acceptance and friendship, but also on scientific topics and on the wonderful world of ants and bees and their amazing societies. – Denis Roubien, architect/author
Ann Birdgenaw
Canadian author of middle-grade fiction. Elementary school librarian by day. Science fiction author by night.
Ann Birdgenaw 