The adventure starts here!
New from Spin Speed Books
Grip It and Rip It!
Take a peek inside Matchup
(Click on the image below)
Matchup at Adventure Land Golf, The Epic Quest of Two Fearless Boys, takes you on a dazzling epic journey around the world and beyond. Call it a children’s book for kids 4 to 12, but golf lovers of all ages will enjoy this thrilling, yet touching, rivalry.
About the author
Gene Walden is the best-selling author of more than 30 books (primarily non-fiction), and a former newspaper reporter and columnist, magazine editor, and a contributor to a number of prominent publications, such as The Wall Street Journal . . . See more
Matchup in the News
See more on Matchup in the News (or click the links below)
Fox 6 Real Milwaukee,
Fox 13 Utah Today,
The Open Book (WTEN ABC & Fox 23 Albany NY)
Writer’s Life,
In Entertainment,
The Watershed Voice
Mind Dog TV
Hodgepod Podcast
Inspiring Matchup at Adventure
Land Golf
Best-selling author/illustrator Gene Walden came up with the idea for the book during a visit to Estes Park Golf Course in Colorado, where he played a round amongst a large herd of elk. Read more.
Join the boys for a couple of chapters (click below)
Matchup at Adventure Land Golf follows two fearless boys, Jordan and Zay, as they vie for the Adventure Land Ice Cream Trophy.
Forced to work together to overcome the challenges of the treacherous 18-hole course, the boys slowly morph from bitter rivals to fast friends – but the trophy is still on the line!
Order Matchup Now and Save 33%!
Paperback (11 x 8 inches) Reg. 29.95
E-book version just $2.99 (at Amazon)
Book launch nets $5,000 for food shelf
During the Matchup book launch and signing event, Gene donated his royalties and worked with community businesses to raise nearly $5,000 for a rural Michigan food shelf. Read more.
Children’s Book Lessons from the Streets of Minneapolis
Check out all of our videos, including Girl Scout Cookies, Cryo-therapy, America’s Library Crisis, Children’s Book Lessons from the Streets of Minneapolis. and other “Life Lessons.
Cartoon stars finally meet in real life
The two cartoon heroes from the book finally met in real life for the first time at the book signing event. One lives in Michigan and the other in Minnesota, but they vowed to meet again. Read more.
First Swing of the Season
Coming in 2026
Gene Walden’s next children’s book, Teacher Sysinki Says ‘Nenky’ will be coming out in late spring or summer of 2026. It’s the story of a teacher on the teeny weeny planet of Nenky-Do-Dinky and the magical word “Nenky.” “But if you use it too much, it loses it touch.”
You can watch the full animated, narrated version of Teacher Sysinki right now by cliicking on the video below. Enjoy!
Our favorite pictures from Matchup
There are a total of about 120 illustration in Matchup at Adventure Land Golf. And many of them took well over a week to create. Want to see the author’s favorites? Just click on the link, and page through some of these awesome scenes. See more.
Watch the full animated version Teacher Sysinki Says ‘Nenky’
Sneak Peek – Watch the full animated e-version:
A fully immersive experience!
(Best enjoyed with headphones or buds.)
Order Now + Save 33%!
Paperback (11 x 8 inches) Reg. 29.95
E-book version just $2.99 (at Amazon)
Hardback version (11 X 8.5 in.) Reg. 39.95
Paperback (11x 8 in) Reg. 29.95
E-book version just $2.99 (at Amazon)
Hardback (11 X 8.5 in.) Reg. 39.95
Stay tuned. . . . much more to come!
Spin Speed Books, Minneapolis, MN