Picture a Canadian storyteller who spins tales of dragons, pirates, and plucky heroes in a world where fantasy meets science fiction—meet Wade Albert White! Hailing from Nova Scotia, the land of wild blueberries and Duck Tolling Retrievers, White crafts middle-grade adventures that burst with humor, heart, and imagination. His Adventurer’s Guide series has captivated young readers, blending witty dialogue with fast-paced quests that keep you guessing.
Born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, White’s journey to authorship is as adventurous as his stories. From childhood mischief to teaching ancient languages, his eclectic life fuels the charm and creativity that define his work. Let’s dive into the world of Wade Albert White, where every page is a delightful surprise!
The Making of Wade Albert White
Wade Albert White grew up in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, where his curious spirit led him to try everything from baseball to ballroom dancing. Though he admits he wasn’t great at most of it, his love for storytelling shone through, inspired by classics like Anne of Green Gables and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. White’s childhood was filled with reading, from joke books to electronics manuals, sparking a lifelong passion for learning and creating. After studying at universities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Toronto, he became a part-time lecturer in Classical Hebrew, a stay-at-home dad, and an aspiring author. His persistence paid off in 2013 when he committed to writing seriously, landing a deal with Little Brown Books for Young Readers after a whirlwind publishing auction.
Wade Albert White’s Unforgettable Stories
White’s Adventurer’s Guide series is a three-book triumph of middle-grade fantasy, blending humor, action, and heartfelt moments. The first book, The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes (2016), introduces Anne, a 13-year-old orphan on a quest to escape Saint Lupin’s Institute for Perpetually Wicked and Hideously Unattractive Children. With friends Penelope and Hiro, she faces dragons, robots, and riddles in a world where magic and technology collide. Critics praised its “smart take on the fantasy novel” and “nail-biting action.”
The sequel, The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me) (2017), ups the ante with a quest to confront a dragon queen, weaving in themes of courage and friendship. The trilogy concludes with The Adventurer’s Guide to Treasure (and How to Steal It) (2019), a pirate-filled adventure featuring the unforgettable Octo-Horse-Pirate. White’s style is marked by clever dialogue, unexpected twists, and a subversive narrator who keeps readers laughing. His worlds are vivid, from floating islands to magical barriers, reflecting his knack for imaginative worldbuilding influenced by comedy shows like Monty Python and authors like Douglas Adams.
Why Wade Albert White Matters
Wade Albert White’s impact lies in his ability to make middle-grade fiction both wildly entertaining and deeply relatable. His stories resonate with young readers, offering diverse characters and empowering themes of resilience and teamwork. White’s workshops in schools across the US and Canada inspire kids to embrace their creativity, while his books, recognized by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre and Atlantic Independent Bookseller’s Association, cement his status as an emerging voice in children’s literature. His unique blend of fantasy and science fiction invites readers to see the world through a lens of wonder and possibility.
- Born: Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
- Key Works: The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes, The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons, The Adventurer’s Guide to Treasure
- Awards: Emerging Author Award, Atlantic Independent Bookseller’s Association (2017)
- Fun Fact: He owns one real cat and one pretend cat, and they get along fabulously!
Snag The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes and dive into Wade Albert White’s hilarious, heart-pounding world of middle-grade fantasy!