“Healing begins where the wound was made.” – Alice Walker

It would be an understatement to say the past few months have been challenging for this country. And promoting a new middle grade novel amid a cultural, political, social, historical reckoning — while a worldwide pandemic continues to wreak havoc — feels absurd and even wrong.

However, I still believe nothing has the power to inspire hope and transform lives like a good story.

This is especially true for children, who are listening to our adult words and watching our adult behavior. So please, at the very least, remember to be kind, gentle, and reassuring in the presence of children.

And encourage your children to open up a good book! For those of you trying to get your kids to read, here are a few tips which helped with my children years ago, who have since grown up to be avid readers.

Speaking of books… my new novel, FLY BACK, AGNES, was officially launched at Jabberwocky Bookshop in Newburyport (with the wonderful assistance of River Valley Charter School students) just days before the country shut down and started to quarantine…

And within a couple months, my little book was chosen by Travel & Leisure Magazine for their “10 Books Your Kids Will Love During Quarantine” list…

…as well as GIRL’S LIFE Magazine’s “Spectacular Spring Reads Giveaway”

Online reviews have been flowing in on INSTAGRAM here

and on GOODREADS here!

When the pandemic first hit in March, and essentially closed down the world, many authors went online to read their books aloud and offer virtual visits.

Immediately, I knew I wanted to do something different, as a few readers had already written to me asking, what the heck happened to Agnes after the book ended?

So, for those of you interested in finding out, I’m offering a bonus chapter – “10 Years Later” – for free! Contact me here to receive a copy, and make sure you include your email so I know where to send it!

You know, if the past months have taught me anything, it’s the significance of small gestures and simple pleasures. For instance, I now know what I can’t live without, like this excellent fan my sister and nephew brought back from Guatemala years ago. In the springtime, there is no way I could go outside in the Maine woods without it.

And porch visits! My husband and I have set up our porch, so that friends can enter the door (with their own beverage and snack) and sit down 10 feet from the couch where we’re already seated. We keep a safe distance away from each other as we discuss the world’s complexities.

And riding my bike, because nothing can recapture that feeling of pure childhood bliss like pedaling down a road.

And, of course, an endless stack of good books!

What small and simple silver linings have you recently discovered?

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