Mac Slater is the coolest kid in town.

He just doesn't know it yet.

The Mac Slater series is fun, fast and full of wild inventions and fresh ideas. It's available in Australia now and in the US from April 2010.

You can see the book trailer, go behind-the-scenes on the story, learn about coolhunting, watch an author interview and read free chapters at www.macslater.com.au

We're currently developing an enhanced Mac Slater site ahead of the books' US release.

Check the Mac 2 Soundtrack on itunes! All the tracks I listened to while writing the book.

Find out how to Get Your Hands on a Copy.

BOOK BLURBS

Mac Slater, Coolhunter 1: The Rules of Cool

(aka Mac Slater Hunts the Cool) is about a hippie kid called Mac who lives in a double-decker bus with his mum, who’s a firetwirler. Mac doesn’t have a mobile phone or even have the web at home. But he’s an inventor and, after a disastrous trial of a flying bike he's been working on, he's approached by two guys from Coolhunters, a hot webspace getting a million hits a day. They want him to trial as one of their featured coolhunters. Mac’s hometown of Kings Bay is a world capital of cool and the coolhunter guys want someone on the ground there. They think Mac's so uncool that he might actually be cool. They reckon he might see stuff that other people don't, that he might be an Innovator. The only problem is that Mac’s opponent in the trial, Cat DeVrees – angry, cold-blooded and the hottest girl he knows – wants the coolhunting gig real bad, and she’ll do just about anything to get it.

Mac Slater, Coolhunter 2: I ♥NY

Imagine being offered an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City! It seemed like an impossible dream for Mac and his best friend, Paul. But they've just become coolhunters for a massively popular webspace and Mac is beyond excited. The catch: he has to find the Next Big Thing in NYC - or be sent home.

Mac soon makes friends with Melody, an inventor with super-cool skates, who takes him to The Hive. It's an old boatshed where innovative kids are creating transport, sneakers and computer apps that are way more cutting edge than anything you can buy. And the Hive kids are about to test an invention that could change the world.

Mac's boss at Coolhunters is desperate for him to spill the beans, but Melody has sworn Mac to secrecy.

He's found the coolest thing in NYC and he's not allowed to tell a soul!

Friends or fame. Which would you choose?

Other Praise for THE RULES OF COOL:

'A winning combination of fast paced action, girl/boy relationships, mateship, family and teenage issues and "beach setting" to appeal to either gender. The first person narrative is authentic and convincingly creates the adolescent world. This is the first of a series that will be a popular addition to the late Primary to Early Secondary collection.'

MAGPIES

'This book may be about the latest technology and trends but it's also a fun adventure with a couple of lovable klutzes, an annoying girl and only one winner. This book is a winner and sure to be a big hit with young people 10 and up.'

Alexa, Readings Bookshop, Hawthorn

'A terrific read ... Bancks has a handle on all things high-tech, and younger readers . will appreciate having a novel that takes on the theme appropriately for their age group.'

Australian Bookseller & Publisher

Coolhunters are teens & twenty-somethings with their fingers on the pulse of the freshest, hottest ideas & innovations coming off the street. The people who recognise cool stuff way before anyone else sees it. Big companies rely on Coolhunters to tell them what’s up & give feedback on shoes, clothes and technology before they hit shelves. Coolhunters influence what we eat, wear, listen to, drive, ride, watch and buy.

Big thanks to Zoe, Linsay, Sarah, Yae, Justin, Nerrilee, Adriana, Anna and everyone else at Random House who has worked hard on this series. Big thanks to the wonderful Sophie at Cameron-Creswell, Catherine Drayton and her son for believing in it and Patricia and Emily in NYC.

OUT now

U.S. april 2010

out now

us 2011

'A terrific read.'

1. Australian Bookseller & Publisher
   

'Mac Slater, Coolhunter is a must-read.'

Jean-Luc - Oz Booksellers Assoc. Kids' Reading Guide 2008-2009

'Fun!'

Dolly Magazine