Books

Tell Me Why The Jack Pine Grows

Tell Me Why the Jack Pine Grows is a middle grade novel in verse. While its age-appropriate social-emotional themes offer a broad range of appeal for readers in grades 5-8, this book’s simple verse structure, embracing controlled vocabulary and short chapters, make it accessible to reluctant and struggling readers as well.

Meadow is enjoying a carefree country summer, tending her beloved 4-H chickens and freely exploring the outdoors. Content at home with her father, brother, and Nanna, Meadow wishes she could stay a kid forever. Everything changes the day the man in the green car stops her on the road, alarming her with an uncomfortable request. The brief encounter fills her with a strange new anxiety that she can’t share with anyone. As fear fills her every move, she makes her world smaller and smaller to feel safe. But when a friend is also approached by the driver of the green car, Meadow realizes she must talk about what happened to protect others. Like the Jack Pine growing from the rocky cliff, Meadow can’t fight growing up any longer, but maybe she can change her corner of the world for the better.

Coming February 1, 2024!

Pre-order Information Available Soon

The Graveyard Gruber Chapter Book Series

The Graveyard Gruber chapter book series for 7-10 year-olds tells the story of Grady Gruber, a quirky underdog who becomes a hero when he discovers his talent for ghost-whispering. Earning the cool new name of “Graveyard Gruber,” he and his friends take on the ghosts of their rural community, righting past wrongs and bringing comfort to the restless spirits they encounter.

Book 1: The Legend of Graveyard Gruber

Passing a cemetery on the way to a baseball game, Grady earns the cool new name of Graveyard Gruber. Balancing friendships, school, and baseball, Grady rides the tide of fame until a rotten hot dog, a haunted house, and a gloomy cemetery guarded by a half-crazed ghost threaten to strip it away. Back at the baseball field, his team in jeopardy, his scalp tingling, Grady must face his fears regardless of the consequences. From the shadows of the cemetery, Grady hopes to save the day and live up to his new name.

Book 2: Mystery At Cate’s Creek

When Graveyard Gruber discovers a locket buried along Cate’s Creek, his scalp tingles…a sure sign that a ghost is involved! At the history museum, Graveyard learns of the creek’s history: a diphtheria outbreak, an abandoned settlement, and a tragic drowning. As the mystery of the Cate’s Creek ghost gets muddier, Graveyard Gruber wants to keep investigating. But is this one mystery that’s too dangerous to solve?

Book 3: The Firehouse Phantom

While on a tour of the brand-new firehouse with his friends, Graveyard Gruber feels an urgent tug from an invisible hand. Stories of a vacant house burned to the ground on the very same site, suspicions of arson, and a strange boy seen running from the blaze add to the mystery. Can an unexpected classmate provide the missing clue? Graveyard Gruber eagerly agrees to help out at the firehouse, determined to solve the mystery and set the record straight.