Anchor Books for Struggling Readers
My new trilogy is a set of three novellas about natural disasters, written and designed for teen readers who are reading below a grade 2 level.
Book 1, After Shock, comes out August 15, 2023.
A massive earthquake forces Amy and her estranged half-sister to work together to survive.
Amy is happy it’s the last day of school…until a huge earthquake hits. She’s surprised that it’s Mara, her half-sister, who finally comes for her, since they hardly know each other. There’s no word from any of their parents, and their homes have been destroyed. So Amy and Mara set out on a perilous journey from their suburb into the city to search for their parents. As they walk day and night, the scope of the horrific destruction becomes clear. Have their parents survived the disaster?
Reviews and Honors
“The sisters’ complex family situation offers an intriguing premise…The nonstop action will draw in the intended audience of reluctant readers.” – Kirkus Reviews
“The relationship between Amy and Mara is well drawn, and the girls grow closer by relying on each other to survive amid exciting action sequences… this book would be a good choice to hand to readers who haven’t developed the skills yet for novels like Hatchet. A useful title for older emerging readers.” – School Library Journal
“The strong adventure writing makes Aftershock a good addition to this genre and for schools and libraries. Highly Recommended.” – CM: Canadian Review of Materials
Book 2, Flash Flood, coming in 2024:
Foster-brothers Zack and Peter struggle to survive after a flash flood leaves them stranded in an evacuated neighborhood of their riverside town.
Seventeen-year-old Zack was supportive when his foster parents invited fourteen-year-old Peter to live with them. They were both being treated for ADHD, but let’s just say Zack felt his treatment was working better. Sure, Peter was fun to be around. Sometimes. But sometimes he was impulsive, even angry. And in the three months since Peter moved in with Zack at Mr. and Mrs. Tate’s house it feels like a lot of things got broken or went missing.
Then during a massive rainstorm, Peter goes missing! While Mr. and Mrs. Tate are out looking for him, the town announces a mandatory emergency evacuation. The river is flooding! Zack is about catch a ride with the neighbors when Peter turns up. Zack manages to phone the Tates, who promise to pick them up soon and take them to safety.
But as the water rises and the Tates don’t arrive, Zack and Peter have to figure out whether to sit tight and wait, or try to get away, before they get washed away.
Book 3, Back Fire, coming in 2025
Sixteen-year-old Poppy is left in charge when a massive forest fire threatens their small farm.
Sixteen-year-old Poppy doesn’t mind responsibility. So when her widowed Dad leaves her in charge of her disabled brother and the house while he goes to help fight a distant wild fire, she’s confident she can manage. Her brother Jed can sometimes be a handful, but there’s plenty to do around the house and the farm. How much trouble can they get into?
Then the wind changes, and wildfire is now heading right for the farm. With no word from their dad, Poppy and Jed know they should get to safety, but what about the farm animals—eight ewes , a dog, a donkey, chickens and a very bad-tempered mare? The air filling with smoke, and flames on the horizon, Poppy and Jed must gather their unlucky menagerie and make a desperate escape.
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