Marathon Books is a small publisher dedicated to producing books for students who are failing or are reluctant to read. That's all we do, and we do it well.

John Bonallack, the developer of the principles behind the series, and author of many of the titles, was a teacher, and editor of the NZ School Journal. He now divides his time between publishing for reluctant readers, helping Pacific countries with their educational resources, writing, and having adventures ­ such as those that gave rise to Finding Ajuna, and Grudge Race in Greenland.

Jill Macgregor, who wrote and photographed some of the titles, is a teacher, photographer, and children's author specialising in Pacific material.