Juvenile Fiction

A middle school boy sets in motion something big when he buries a tesserapod in the woods of northern Michigan, which leads him to find unexpected answers in his search for connection and truth.

Brennon Trapper isn’t sure who he really is since there are two Brennons ticking inside his head. At school, he does whatever he must do to be liked, but at home inside his trailer, he crawls back inside himself, wishing he could disappear. His father likely wouldn’t even notice if he did.

Then, something too incredible to believe happens on his family’s wooded property, and Brennon and his younger brother vow to keep it from their parents rather than risk ridicule again. Seriously, who would believe that a beaver gave them a tesserapod that could develop into a “lodge of sorts” in 200 days if grounded correctly? But when an epic blizzard destroys the roof of their trailer, Brennon finally comes clean about the woods and what he thinks may be a place of shelter. His father’s anger and disbelief jolts Brennon to overcome his fear. In the morning, Brennon is gone—he believes he can make it to the “lodge of sorts.” As Brennon strives to make it to the “lodge of sorts,” reality and fantasy mingle in this fantastical tale of a boy just searching for connection… and finding it in unexpected places.

Sarah Hull led a normal life in 1875, Brighton, England, as the daughter of a lamplighter until her tenth birthday. On the morning of her birthday, strange beasts chase Sarah and her father through the streets looking for Elizabeth—Sarah’s mother who disappeared when she was four. Trapped by the beasts and in the height of shock and fear, Sarah disappears and then reappears in a different time and place … alone. Sarah is forced into an adventure as she tries to find a way back to her father while staying away from the beasts who are hunting her down. Along the way, she meets a boy with the same time jumping problem, who is also hunted by the beasts. Together they must discover their powers, explore who they really are, and learn about the world they are destined to save.

The Legend of Linova: The Lamplighter’s Daughter is the first in a series that chronicles princess Sarah Hull’s destiny as she gathers the guardians of the five realms of humankind and travels to another dimension filled with mythical creatures, magic, and powers to save the Land of Linova from the dark forces of Rorgimor. In Jupiter Makins’ imaginative world, young readers realize there is a solution to every problem and learn self-reliance and inner strength from a strong female character and her male counterpart.

Tales of the Protectors: Almost Heaven is an enchanting contemporary juvenile fiction that strives to captivate the reader into make-believing he/she could be chosen as a Protector, as well as Maxwell and his friends. When young Maxwell transports to Everwell, the training ground of the Protectors, through a turnstile in a local cemetery, he finds himself with a group of young people chosen from earth to assist and defend the human race. His team soon discovers there are special circumstances surrounding Maxwell which no one in authority wishes to reveal.

Almost Heaven empowers young readers to imagine a place broader than the universe and to trust their instincts to solve problems which may pop-up unexpectedly. It is unique in the concept of children assuming great responsibility for others and appeals to readers who wish to relate to their character. The pivotal problem faced by the children towards the end of Almost Heaven forces them to choose whether they will go along with those in charge to attempt a rescue of their friend or will Maxwell possibly sacrifice himself to save his friend.

With the Shenandoah Valley Railroad now operational and the American Civil War lingering in recent memory, narrator Billy Washita sets his heart on finding the secret to his past.

Along with his friend, Rascal, Billy follows where the railroad leads. Along the way, the two fatherless wanderers encounter five more orphans, each with their own stories of abandonment. Together, their uncertain hope for adoption means facing fears, suffering unrequited love, and discovering a future no one could have imagined. Will the mystery of the past bring the hope they seek?

Social entrepreneur specializing in global orphan ministry, Blake Fite, turns his energy to historical fiction as he teams up with burgeoning young authors in the first book of the Carriage Kids series for a one-of-a-kind journey from bondage to freedom—fatherlessness to family. Young readers and parents alike are drawn into the action of each chapter with engaging discussion questions and gain real-life survival tips along the way!

The Protectors arrive at their long-awaited training grounds, Everwell, only to discover they now have access to a garden with one of them possessing special powers there. After strengthening their protection skills even further, the children stand together with another team hoping to prevent the loss of innocent life during an assignment no one could foresee. The Protectors find themselves in the middle of a civil war with more than one group of victims to defend, all the while keeping an eye out for Norris who continually has Maxwell in his crosshairs. Past friends and old enemies reappear in this sequel to Almost Heaven – Tales of the Protectors as the teams combine their strength and talents in a desperate attempt to save the world from a loss that cannot be regained.

The Beautiful List is a timely conversation starter for middle grade girls longing to know that they are worthy just as they are, as well as a great resource for parents, teachers and caregivers who seek to support today’s tween girls as they struggle to find what makes them uniquely beautiful.

Twelve-year-old Serah Reynolds is living the dream life in suburbia until a chance encounter with confident seven-year-old Rachel awakens insecurities she never knew she had. Desperate to learn about real beauty, and whether she measures up, Serah creates a list of beautiful things—but finds her own name impossible to add to it.  

As inquisitive as she is determined, Serah seeks to find where she does belong and embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of her best friend, Courtney, and her school counselor, Mrs. Caldwell. Along the way, her parents and siblings aren’t much help as she struggles with her appearance, intelligence, friendship, girl drama, boys, and even bathing suits. And just when it seems like things can’t get any worse, an accident leaves Serah scarred in more ways than one. Feeling betrayed and alone, Serah leans into her questions, faces her fears, and finds the answers she’s been seeking all along.

Follow Jacob as he leaves the safety of the mouse village for a taste of blackberries and a daring adventure, only to come face to face with the menacing Swamp Rats and their vicious leader, Caine. 

Jacob, inspired by his grandfather’s tale of “The Legend of the Great Mouse,” longs for an adventure of his own. When he steps beyond the village with his friend Rudy on a simple blackberry hunt, they are unexpectedly captured by the feared Swamp Rats. Inside this dangerous realm, they meet an unexpected ally, a rat burdened with guilt and yearning for redemption. As the story progresses, Jacob and his new friend’s destinies intertwine as they discover deeper truths about family, friendship, and the transformative power of forgiveness. 

However, lurking in the shadows is the sinister Caine, an escaped lab rat who grows increasingly unhinged as the situation unfolds. As Jacob navigates the swamps, he and his allies must confront Caine’s dark ambitions. Will they be able to outsmart this formidable foe, or will the story of their adventure in tragedy? 

Perfect for young readers who love tales of camaraderie, redemption, and high-stakes adventure, Freedom Through the Narrow Gate is a heart-stirring continuation of the world introduced in The Oasis King.

Dylan, Jack, and Tripp are looking for adventure, but when they find an entryway into a magical land, plagued by the malevolent Stranger, the cost of their new, exciting journey might prove to be too much. 

While on vacation at their grandmother’s farm, cousins Dylan, Jack, and Tripp learn of a long kept family secret and the power of wishing on a star. The boys are swept away to the Valley of the Oasis—a strange, primal paradise, where monsters and danger lurk around every turn. They find refuge with a lone hunter and his dogs, who have lost track of time and appear trapped in this magical land. 

But the hunter and his dogs cannot rest for long. He is pursued by the Stranger, a strange green-skinned being from another time and place who also seeks to escape the Valley of the Oasis. As they narrowly escape the Stranger’s attacks, the boys worry that they, too, are trapped with no way home. Will the hunter protect the boys and send them home in time, before the Stranger closes in once and for all? 

The Oasis King is the first in a series of an action-adventure tales for younger readers who seek new lands, heart-racing challenges, and unexpected twists.