New Books
My first novel for middle grade readers is here! Published by Pelican Publishing and available in ebook and paper back, The West End Treehouse Mystery is set (circa 1975) in the West End neighborhood of Johnstown, PA, the place where I grew up. Kids are already giving me feedback on how they love the mystery of the book, as well as the cliff hangers that end the chapters.. And if you're old enough to have lived through The Bee Gees, Pet Rocks, and The Waltons, you can take a little trip down memory lane!
Here's the back-of-the book blurb:
On a hillside above a Pennsylvania steel town, Matt and Jerry are building the world's most awesome treehouse. Everything goes as planned until a run-in with menacing teens, Jimmy Gemm, and Trio Diablo gang. From there, a simple summer only gets more complicated. When he boys stumble upon a witch with a dark family secret and become her targets, they know they may be in over their heads.
Will the best friends be able to outwit Jimmy and Trio Diablo? Can they solve the mystery of the witch, the lunatic, and old house in the secluded hollow? Will they ever get to hang out in their treehouse?
Here's the back-of-the book blurb:
On a hillside above a Pennsylvania steel town, Matt and Jerry are building the world's most awesome treehouse. Everything goes as planned until a run-in with menacing teens, Jimmy Gemm, and Trio Diablo gang. From there, a simple summer only gets more complicated. When he boys stumble upon a witch with a dark family secret and become her targets, they know they may be in over their heads.
Will the best friends be able to outwit Jimmy and Trio Diablo? Can they solve the mystery of the witch, the lunatic, and old house in the secluded hollow? Will they ever get to hang out in their treehouse?
Award Winning Books / Award Nominated Books
Bubbles Float, Bubbles Pop
* 2011 Eureka Nonfiction Children’s Book Award, Silver Honor Book
* 2011 Creative Child Magazine Creative Child Award
Onion Juice, Poop, and Other Surprising Sources of Alternative Energy
* 2012 Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, Santa Monica Public Library
The Delicious Chocolate Donut (and Other Off-Kilter Poems)
* 2012 Parents' Choice Recommended Award - Audio Book
When Amelia Earhart Built a Roller Coaster
* 2018 Magnolia Awards: Mississippi Children’s Choice Book Awards PreK-2nd Grade Shortlist
When Wilma Rudolph Played Basketball
* 2018 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Awards: K-3 Nomination
* 2011 Eureka Nonfiction Children’s Book Award, Silver Honor Book
* 2011 Creative Child Magazine Creative Child Award
Onion Juice, Poop, and Other Surprising Sources of Alternative Energy
* 2012 Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, Santa Monica Public Library
The Delicious Chocolate Donut (and Other Off-Kilter Poems)
* 2012 Parents' Choice Recommended Award - Audio Book
When Amelia Earhart Built a Roller Coaster
* 2018 Magnolia Awards: Mississippi Children’s Choice Book Awards PreK-2nd Grade Shortlist
When Wilma Rudolph Played Basketball
* 2018 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Awards: K-3 Nomination
Favorite Books
While every book is a loving creation, I do have my favorites. Don't tell the other books, though!
Bunches of Books
I have written over five dozen informational books, and more are on the way. Scroll through the slide show to find your favorite subject!
And More!
Before I began to write books for teachers and children, I spent a lot of time playing, performing, and recording music. My music for children is award winning, my children's songs have finished three times in the final round of the John Lennon Song Writing Contest, and my award-wiinning audio book with Christine Laitta and Biff Baron is sure to make you chuckle, chortle, and snort milk through your nose. Everything is available through iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon so download a CD of audio file and get those toes tapping!
