Website:
http://jessicascottkerrin.wordpress.com/
Email:
c/o Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia
Jessica grew up on the Canadian prairies,and although she enjoyed school, she had a terrible secret. She was a lousy speller. This made it tough because she really liked to write. It turns out that a lot of writers can't spell, and Jessica figured this out when she got her first award for creative writing, back in grade three. On the trophy, her writing teacher had misspelled her name! Since then, Jessica has tried, as much as she can, to write about experiences she finds funny, like that one.
Today, she lives with her family and their pet tortoise in downtown Halifax in a house so old the floors slope, and all the marbles end up in one corner. They like to share outdoor adventures, including a jungle trek in Costa Rica, and more recently, a sailing tour of Croatia. In addition to writing, Jessica has managed galleries, dance schools and museums, and she has worked with artists, performers and curators. Unfortunately, her spelling has not improved!
Martin Bridge and his friends, Alex and Stuart, are big fans of Zip Rideout, a cartoon astronaut superhero. They eat Zip Rideout Space Flakes every morning and watch his television show every afternoon. They also enjoy launching model rockets, squirting Faster Blasters and humming Zip's theme song. The trouble with Martin's world is that these routine things often go wrong, or as Stuart would say, "Ka-boom!" Yet through it all, Martin discovers that he is so much more than his superhero.
Jessica created Martin Bridge after her husband, Peter, who was a leader of a boys' troop, came home with their son, Elliott, to describe their latest misadventure that involved exploding rockets. 'Smithereens' is the result of that story.
Other Martin stories developed when friends of Jessica shared experiences that didn't go according to plan, such as giving a gift to the wrong person; a friend showing up for a birthday party on the wrong day; missing the bus for an important school field trip; falsely accusing a parent of throwing out a toy, or a pet parrot flying out the window in the middle of winter.
Every day, all around her, things go wrong. Jessica has lots of Martin material to choose from! To date, over 100,000 Martin Bridge books have been sold across Canada, the United States and Australia.
Click here for a teacher's resource guide on Martin Bridge.
- Martin Bridge: Onwards and Upwards! Kids Can Press, 2009. ISBN 978-1-55453-160-8.
- "The real strength of these engaging stories is the absolute believability of Martin. In simple language, suitable for early readers, Kerrin gives us an honest portrait of an eight-year-old boy - whether he is grumpy or thoughtful, quietly creating his own sketches in his tree fort or playing Zip Rideout's Space Race Game." - Canadian Children's Book Center, Spring 2009.
- Martin Bridge: The Sky's the Limit! Kids Can Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-55453-158-5.
- Martin Bridge: In High Gear! Kids Can Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-55453-156-1.
- Click here for more information.
- Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit! Kids Can Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1554531486.
- Click here for more information.
- Martin Bridge: Sound the Alarm! Kids Can Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1553379768.
- "Martin continues to be such a believable character, it's almost as if author Kerrin is channeling a real boy. Onwards and upwards, Martin Bridge!" - Hornbook, June 1, 2007
- Click here for more information.
- Martin Bridge: Blazing Ahead! Kids Can Press, 2006. ISBN 1553379616.
- "Martin is a real boy involved in everyday activities, but Kerrin injects humour and a little mayhem into these attractive tales." - City Parent Toronto, April 1, 2007
- "Martin is a real boy with parents who allow him to find his own way, a rarity in today's early chapter books. Warm, expressive graphic and charcoal sketches add an extra dimension to both stories." - The Horn Book, October, 2006.
- "Realistic, everyday situations, likable characters and simple stories written in rich language with solid dialogue and humor make this a series with endless variations, and readers will eagerly anticipate very new installment." - Kirkus Reviews, July 26, 2006.
- Martin Bridge: On the Lookout! Kids Can Press, 2005. IBSN 1553377737.
- "Young readers will identify with Martin and will celebrate his successes while recognizing his shortcomings. The rich secondary characters, realistic charcoal illustrations and familiar situations are perfect for chapter book readers. May young readers have more from Martin." - Kirkus Starred Review, August 15, 2005.
- "Honest dialogue brings to life three short stories about a boy who has a lot to learn about making and keeping friends." - Scholastic Instructor, August 1, 2005.
- "Jessica Kerrin's Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff is a pitch-perfect chapter book that confronts its hero with three very real-world ethical dilemmas every elementary student will recognize." - School Library Journal, June, 2006.
- Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff! Kids Can Press, 2005. ISBN 1553377729.
- "Slice-of-life incidents, presented in three short stand alone chapters, ring with truth and familiarity because Martin is no cookie-cutter elementary school boy. A warm rich story for new chapter-book readers, who will be more than ready for Martin Bridge." - Horn Book, June 1, 2005.
- "The everyday worlds of school, home and clubs offer Martin Bridge several opportunities for growth, and his responses are on target for a third grader. Kerrin relates the episodes in a straightforward way that incorporates rich language." - School Library Journal, May 1, 2005.
- Martin Bridge: The Sky's the Limit! has recieved the following nominations and/or recognition:
- Best of 2009, Resource Links (Canada's national journal devoted to the evaluation of Canadian resources for children and young adults)
- Best Books of Exceptional Caliber, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2009
- Martin Bridge: In High Gear! has recieved the following nominations and/or recognition:
- Nominated for the 2009-2010 Hackmatack Award (Nova Scotia Children's Choice Award).
- Best Books of Exceptional Caliber, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2009
- Junior Library Guild Premier Selection Awards, Spring 2008.
- Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff! has received the following nominations and/or recognition:
- Nominated for the 2007 Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award. Results pending.
- New York City Public Library's selection for "Top Books of 2005".
- The Horn Book's "The Best of 2005".
- 2006 Notable Books List by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), American Library Association.
- Nominated for the 2007 Hackmatack Award (Nova Scotia Children's Choice Award).
- Nominated for the 2007 Willow Award (Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice).
- Nominated for the 2008 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award.
- Martin Bridge: On the Lookout! has received the following nominations and/or recognition:
- Nominated for the 2007 Gate City Book Award (by the New Hampshire school library media specialists).
- Martin Bridge: Blazing Ahead! has received the following nominations and/or recognition:
- Nominated for the 2008 Hackmatack Award (Nova Scotia Children's Choice Award).
- Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit! Has received the following nominations and/or recognition:
- Best Books of Exceptional Caliber, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2008
- Junior Library Guild Premier Selection Award, Fall, 2007.
