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Please note: These are the entries for the Pitch Wars season beginning in 2021 and continuing through 2022. Please note that our Agent Showcase ends at 9:00 p.m. ET on Monday, February 14, 2022. Agents will not be able to leave comments requesting material after that time.
PW2020 MG #13: OLIVER JOLT IS NOT A YOUTUBE STAR (Contemporary)
Mentee:
Lynn Leitch
Mentored by:
Darlene P. Campos
Book Title:
OLIVER JOLT IS NOT A YOUTUBE STAR
Category:
2020 Entries
Genre:
Middle Grade - Contemporary
Word Count:
38,000

Pitch:

YouTube x NO FIXED ADDRESS

12-year-old Oliver is camera shy and has plenty to hide—not exactly YouTube material. But with Dad out of work and his house on the line, Oliver quietly starts a YouTube channel. Success comes quickly until an honest mistake betrays a friend and threatens to unravel all his secrets.

 

Excerpt:

When the doorbell rings twice, I know it’s Danny. He’s late. 

“Oliver!” He announces my name like some game show host. 

I step back to let him in, holding my List of Ideas against my chest.

“May 24th!” I nudge my glasses. “Go-time.” 

Danny’s eyebrows drop. “Did you really say go-time?” 

Our lawn business was supposed to start a month ago. But Danny’s had reasons to wait—too cold, too hungry, going to Grandma’s, new hair gel.

“What’s the rush?” Danny kicks off his super-white shoes.

“We have to get out there,” I say. “Before someone steals our turf.”

Right on cue, a mower starts outside. But it’s only Mr. Anja—who must be 90-years-old—mowing his own tiny lawn. I shut the door before Danny sees him. 

“Whatever you say.” Danny tugs at his new X-Box shirt. It pulls a little, around his belly.

We head upstairs, passing Amy’s ever-shut door and the thump of her music.

In my room, Danny spots Mr. Higgins. “Hey, kitty.” He drops to the carpet beside him, folding his thick arms behind his head. 

Mr. Higgins rolls onto his back, saying hello by sharing his big white belly. But Danny doesn’t notice. He’s too busy scanning the NHL posters on my walls. 

“Didn’t you quit hockey?” he asks.

“I wish.” I roll my eyes. Around here, hockey’s expected—like going to school or brushing your teeth. “I only escaped spring hockey.” 

Three months ago, my dad lost his job. 

 

One response to “PW2020 MG #13: OLIVER JOLT IS NOT A YOUTUBE STAR (Contemporary)”

  1. Allison Hellegers says:

    My son is obsessed with trying to start a You Tube channel, so I definitely want to read. And, I’m fond of your mentor:) Please send full to https://www.stimolaliterarystudio.com/Submissions and put PITCH WARS above the query. Thanks!
    -Allison Hellegers