Scapellato

BURGETTSTOWN — Local author Lauren Scapellato hopes her new book series encourages reading and fun in the process for children spending more time at home lately and longing perhaps for new diversions.

The Cam Kablam series is set in Blurg Burg, a rather small city that has a big problem, a press release notes. Blurg Burg is invaded by hideous monsters who emerge from the earth’s core on a regular basis with the goal of overtaking the city. And the residents are depending on 10-year-old Cam Kablam to save the day, which she always does, but only after being sidetracked by many diversions.

Fortunately, not only is Cam very resourceful, but she has a reliable and quirky assistant whom readers will meet as the series progresses.

For Scapellato, a Western New York native who has lived in the Burgettstown area for several years, the completion of the 11 books in Cam Kablam’s story is the culmination of months of conceptualizing and fleshing out the details of the adventures of a zany, hyperactive 10-year-old girl who also has ADHD and just happens to possess super powers.

As someone who lives with ADHD, title character Cam’s perspective was inspired by the author’s own voice. Scapellato describes herself as “an endlessly curious book nut and manic learner with an unquenchable appetite for information and a laughably short attention span. She believes in filling every day with joy, gratitude, magic and wonder.”

Scapellato, who is self-published, is presenting her books to libraries, independent bookstores and elementary schools and has reached out to the Weirton library system.

Cam Kablam is written under the pen name “Liz and Lefty.” Scapellato explained that she wanted a silly children’s book series to have a silly author, which she says she is.

The author is a produced playwright and former blogger who has contributed to various online publications and also has written articles for local charities and is the co-editor of a local charitable publication.

The Cam Kablam books are available on Amazon.com for download and in paperback.