"In The Middle" Forthcoming Series
"In The Middle" Forthcoming Series
The Rough Spot
Blake Spencer lived a typical kid’s life in southwestern Wisconsin. School, soccer, robotics club, and fishing with his dad made like simple and fun.
Then Dad lost his job. And, they lost their home. Blake and his parents moved into a camper. The cold weather was closing in when Dad finally landed a job and the family moved to Hartford, still living in the camper.
Middle School can be tough. For Blake it is extra hard to start sixth grade as the new kid in town. Desperate to keep anyone from finding out his family is homeless, he’s always stressed. But when Jordan decides to run for Student Council, she recruits Blake to help run her campaign. He begins to get a sense of belonging.
Blake’s family struggle becomes more acute when his mom has a serious health problem. By being honest with himself and his friends, Blake finds support and acceptance in his community. This coming of age story about the very real challenges of homelessness and hunger in the US will spark compassion and understanding for readers young and old.
Wildcat Girl
Jordan Sawyer likes to get things done, whether it’s helping out with her younger sister and brother, being on the Student Council, or making plans with friends.
While hiking near Holy Hill, Jordan walks ahead of her family and is surprised to see a cougar. She is entranced by its beauty and wants to help it live wild in Washington County. She decides a project to expand the Wildcat Habitat at her school will help people appreciate these impressive animals.
Jordan’s best friend, Taylor, is her biggest supporter. Their friendship is tested when an older girl starts being friendly to Jordan, who worries that she won’t fit in with the older girls. Jordan becomes anxious about her appearance. Her dad encourages her to set and achieve high goals. Soon Jordan is skipping meals and doubling her exercise routine. In the meantime, the television news reports the cougar has been seen around homes with pets. People are scared.
When Jordan faints at school, Taylor helps her remember that her first priority has to be her getting her health back. Then she can finish her project to expand the wildcat habitat.
“Children possess an innocent confidence that our universe contains more than meets the eye. This inspires me to write for those reading at the fourth-grade level.”
Michael Wilke is waiting for a lot of things.
Waiting to be grown up, waiting for his dad to come home from the war, waiting for his sisters to stop treating him like a little kid. All he wants is to be useful.
Then, for this tenth birthday, his Uncle Bob gives him a puzzle box filled with great tools - and everything changes.
Michael takes his box and heads out on an adventure. Who could have known the puzzle box had some magic and, in the light of the night’s full moon, things would be reversed? Instead of being at home in York, he finds himself in Kroy, a place of mystery and danger. Luckily, he finds a friend in Laddie, a little magical creature who teaches him about Kroy, and himself.
Michael doesn’t know if he can be brave enough, strong enough or smart enough to face the difficult tasks in Kroy. He has the tools in the puzzle box, his Uncle Bob, and friends he finds along the way.
Will it be enough to meet the challenge of Eugor, the evil thief, and his monstrous beast?
