Ordinary Kevin

Do You Remember?

Do you remember what it was like to be 12-years-old?

Maybe it was a few years ago, a few decades ago, or too long ago to even admit.

Think back to that Grade 7 year.

The kids, the classes, the teams and the clubs.

The social activities, the assemblies, and even the odd party.

It was fun. It was frantic. It was emotional. It was memorable.

That’s what lies ahead for Kevin Rogers.

Growing up in the fictional town of Langfield, Kevin is just your average 12-year-old kid, trying to navigate

the complexities of being in Grade 7. At a new school. Where he knows no one.

See Kevin’s journey through his own eyes as he takes you through the roller coaster ride of life at age 12.

and be reminded of the highs and lows of one of the craziest years of our lives.

A New Beginning: Now Available

Live the adventure of Grade 7... 2003 style!

A New Beginning takes place in the fictional town of Langfield, located in Ontario, Canada. Set in 2003, it reflects on the classic movies and music of the time, and even the slang used by kids in elementary school (yes, even the odd swear word!)

The decision to set the book in 2003 was done with purpose. It reminds adults who lived through 2003 of just how must being a kid has changed, and lets this generation know what was different about adolescence more than two decades ago.

A New Beginning is now available for sale from major book retailers across North America, including:

Indigo:

https://www.indigo.ca/products/a-new-beginning-24?variant=46818999632082

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/zesjnysd

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com//A%20New%20Beginning%20Macklin

Interested in purchasing a personalized copy of the book, reach out to me at info@ordinarykevin.ca to learn how you can get a personal copy from the author.

Like every newly-published book, I'm also looking for opportunities to share Kevin's adventure with the world. If you're a literacy festival organizer, book store owner, book club coordinator or member of the media, I'd love to chat with you about sharing this book with you.

A New Beginning is Book #1 of Kevin's adventure. Books #2 and #3 are currently under development, and set for release in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

Every Book Sold Supports Kids Help Phone

Dealing with the pressures of growing up can be challenging, something that can quickly feel overwhelming without a strong support system.

In Adventures of an Ordinary Kevin: A New Beginning, our characters deal with many mental and emotional challenges, experiences many of us may overlook or take for granted. It's easy to forget just how difficult it is to be a kid going through puberty and also dealing with mental and emotional stress.

For over 36 years, Kids Help Phone has been there for young people across Canada. This free, national, 24/7, multilingual, and confidential e-mental health service for young people offers support through trained, professional counsellors, whether that's by phone, text, or online chat, providing a judgement-free space where youth can feel out loud.

For every copy sold of A New Beginning, the author will be donating $1 to Kids Help Phone.

We encourage you to donate what you can, when you can, to this invaluable service. For more information, or to make a donation, visit: https://kidshelpphone.ca/

Listen to the Exclusive Playlist

Dance to the music of 2003!

I've put together some of the top songs that students would have danced to during the 2003-2004 school year. Some of these we featured in the book, and others we pulled out because of their influence and interest from kids around Kevin's age.

If you're a kid, you may not have heard many, or any, of these songs. But if you're like me, you recognize every one of these songs after just a few notes.

Check out the official soundtrack of The Adventures of an Ordinary Kevin: A New Beginning on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Viqr0OoTYtBMs8TyPuNfU

Meet the Author

Andrew Macklin: Author of the Ordinary Kevin series

"Ever since finding my passion for media and communications while in university, I have loved telling good stories. Sharing what people have done for their community, for their industry, for their loved ones has always been the focus of my career. Through print, radio, television and magazines, I've had the opportunity to tell more than 1,000 stories about the people and companies that make our communities great.

I'd always wanted to write a book, and the inspiration for this series struck in the fall of 2024. I was seeing how adolescent relationships had evolved, and especially how it impacted kids coming out of COVID. Their social maturity seemed years behind even that of my nieces and newphews from a decade earlier.

For the record, I am not Kevin and I wasn't in elementary school in 2003. Yes, like Kevin I started a new school in Grade 7 because I was bullied badly in Grade 6, but that's where the direct similarities end. And while the odd characteristic matches some people I went to school with, no student is based on a student from my past.

I hope you enjoy the book!"

The Adventures of an Ordinary Kevin