The first book in the Mac Slater, Cool Hunter series, The Rules of Cool (Random House, 2008) introduces Mac and the fascinating trend of Cool Hunting.
The Rules of Cool: Meet Mac Slater
Mac Slater isn’t your everyday hero. He’s fourteen years old and lives in a renovated bus within sight (and smell) of a chicken processing factory. He lives with his hippie mum and his dad is a political activist who has recently spent time in prison. He doesn’t own an iPod or mobile phone and, not surprisingly, he isn’t one of the most popular kids at school.
No-one is more surprised than Mac when he is approached by the creators of Coolhunters, a website that features tips and news on the latest trends from around the world posted by a small group of carefully selected teenagers. Mac is asked to enter a week long competition with local style princess Cat Devrees. They have to post a video online each day highlighting what they think is cool and the entrant with the most votes by the end of the week wins the full-time position of Kings Bay Coolhunter.
Cat is determined to win and will stop at nothing to prove that she is the coolest and trendiest teen Kings Bay has ever seen. For Mac, winning the competition would mean an all-expenses paid trip to his dream destination – New York. As the week progresses and the competition hots up, Mac must decide just how much he is willing to risk to gain the title of Coolhunter.
Cool Hunting
A modern marketing tool, cool hunting involves predicting trends in music, gadgets, fashion, movies and youth culture in general. Cool hunters anticipate what will become popular, selling their discoveries to market research companies. Cool hunters shape the way the market develops, particularly in areas relating to accessible technology and pop culture trends.
A Book for All Those Who Long to be Cool
Mac Slater is an everyday kid who gets a chance to achieve his dreams. He loves his parents, but is embarrassed by some of the limitations of their lifestyle, such as the absence of a television, mobile phone or even a family car.
The Rules of Cool is a fun read. Mac and his geeky friend Paul are underdogs who take on the popular kids. While the Coolhunters believe that Mac and Paul are so uncool that they’re cool, Mac must believe in himself if he wants to win the Coolhunting challenge. Mac and Paul’s friendship is tested and Mac’s own self-esteem is challenged.
With two teenaged boys as the central characters, The Rules of Cool may hold greater appeal for young male readers. Cat DeVrees and Mac’s friend Jewel offer some significant female character interest however, and the book encourages both male and female readers to believe in themselves and reach for their dreams.
Tristan Bancks
Tristan Bancks is a writer and filmmaker with experience as an actor and TV presenter in Australia and the UK. He is currently working on further books in the Mac Slater, Cool Hunter series and the next book is expected to be released in 2009.
The Mac Slater, Cool Hunter website has class study notes available for teachers as well as competitions and other information about the novel and author.
Mac Slater is a character who is sure to appeal to young readers who want to believe that the trendiest, richest, most popular kids aren’t the only ones to achieve their dreams.
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