When his new teacher announces that all 3rd graders must read in front of everyone at Parents Night, Trevor Lee and his best friend Pinky need to create a masterful plan and put it into action. Trevor Lee has a secret that no one can find out about--he can't read! After several over-the-top attempts to get put of Parents Night, Trevor Lee enlists the help of his Mamaw. "Some days are just bad. You gotta hold your head high and keep moving," she always says. Can Trevor Lee remember her advice as he stands in front of the crowd on the biggest night of 3rd grade?
--160 pages, Middle Grade
***American Book Fest Finalist: Best Children's Fiction***

Frankinschool: The Cupsnake Escape is the second book about a boy named Fred who turns into "Frankenstein's monster" whenever he writes his "What-if" assignments. Fred and Luisa find themselves in trouble once again when the new student mixes up recipes at their class’s bakery field trip leading to snakes running amok. While the students scramble out of the school in fear, Fred and Luisa suspect their old friend Frank is behind the Great Cupsnake Escape. Once again they put their creativity, their cooperation, and their courage to the test—but will it be enough to save the school from the snakes?

Juvenile Fiction 120 pages Ages 8 to 12

The Award-winning Frankinschool: Monster Match is about a boy named Fred who "turns into "Frankenstein's monster after an author visit gone wrong. While Fred is out sick, the author signs Fred's book “To Frank”. When Fred's classmate Luisa suggests Fred must really be “Frank” in school, this sparks an idea for Fred's creative writing assignment. Fred's What-If poem is coming together wonderfully, until--a mist fills the room, and the writing assignment comes to life. Suddenly Fred--now Frankinschool--and Luisa--now Princessa Luisa--need to save the school from the mysterious potion--and the even more mysterious and devious ghost living in the school attic. Book 1 in a continuing series.
Juvenile fiction 112 pages Ages 8-12

Scott Schroeder dreams of a day when he and his father can have a home of their own. Following an accident that took his mother's life eight years before, doctors discovered Scott was suddenly deaf. Blessed with being an accomplished gymnast and skilled at signing and reading lips, Scott's biggest challenge is convincing others he is able to do all the same things as those in the hearing world. Picking up on conversations he observes along the way, Scott figures out a big family secret concerning his father and uncle and makes his mind up to play a part in their reconciliation.
Ages 9 to 14 Grades 4 to 8 Reading Level 4 176 pages
"This is a well-plotted novel that helps readers understand what it might be like to be deaf. ...a book that will really relate to and appeal to young boys. It has a few great surprise elements; it's a quick read that ends too soon!"
--The International Review of Books

Thirteen-year-old Hannah Higgins is convinced her summer is ruined when she is forced to travel to Africa and work in a remote village in Kenya with her mom and uncle. Never having been to a developing country, she finds the food gross and the community filthy. Just when she thinks nothing could make this trip any worse, she learns people there are dying of hunger and preventable disease. Hannah becomes frustrated and wants to help, but when poverty threatens the lives of people she loves, all she wants to do is go home.
"A Calf Named Brian Higgins is a fantastic novel to introduce children to heavy and challenging topics, such as poverty or entitlement, in a simple and engaging way. It’s essential for children to be exposed to several cultures and walks of life, and reading this novel with them and discussing it would be a great starting point".
--Literary Titan
*** Nautilus Gold Award Winner ***

When Luis joins his new baseball team, the Manatees, things seem hopeless at first. Some of his new teammates— including “loud and obnoxious” home-run slugger Jimmie—are mean to him or to each other. His new coach doesn’t tell the players everything to do like his old coach did. And some of the Manatees seem more interested in goofing off than in sportsmanship or working hard.
Then Coach Joe makes Luis team captain. Will Luis rise to the challenge? Can he get the Manatees to balance working hard and having fun? Will he help his teammates learn to be friends rather than compete with each other?
Baseball Buddies explores the power of working together, what it takes to build a team, and the lasting friendships that form on the baseball field.
Mom's Choice Award GOLD Winner
Parent and Teacher Choice Award Winner 2024
152 pages / Ages 7 to 10

It’s shaping up to be a rotten summer for Rusty, a young sailing fan who lives on an island off the New England coast. He’s just flunked fifth-grade math and has to go to summer school. His older sister is bossier than ever. Worst of all, his mom is far away on the mainland —undergoing treatment for her sudden, confusing, and exhausting “sadness”—while his dad struggles to keep the household together. Rusty’s only refuge is in caring for and teaching himself to sail a small, beloved sailboat.
While working on his boat at the village dock one evening, Rusty meets Hazel, a feisty local artist from an old sailing family. Hazel asks—no, demands—that Rusty take her sailing. He refuses. She argues. And an unlikely friendship begins.
Middle Grade Fiction 192 pages Ages 9-13