Age Group: Children, Middle Grade
Genre: Supernatural, Fantasy
Release Date: February 22, 2022
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Book Description:
Thirteen years ago, eight supernatural criminals fled the city of Estero to make a new life in an isolated tropical hideout. Off the grid, the missing criminals were presumed dead--but that wasn't really the case. Until recently, when the last one died.
Left behind alone on the island are their children:
There's Birdie, who can communicate with animals.
Brix has athletic and healing abilities.
Cabot is super-smart, but there's no sign yet of her special ability.
Seven's skin camouflages to match whatever is around him.
Tenner can swim like a fish and has heightened senses, including the ability to see in the dark.
When Birdie finds a map with a set of instructions directing her to a stash of treasure that's secret from everyone--including their missing parents--she knows it holds the power to change everything, for better or worse.
What was the plot of your very first piece of unpublished fiction you ever wrote?
The first one I can remember: Baby May the elephant was having her 4th birthday. She ran around the jungle (don’t ask me how she got between the trees) telling all her friends it was her birthday. Then they had a party by a pond. The end. I tell students now that I should have had a lion jump out at the party to give it a bit more action. But alas. I did not like putting my beloved characters in danger back then.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated or
did you always just know you wanted to be a writer?
It was through the above story, believe it or not. I wrote it in 4th grade for an assignment, knowing that my teacher, Mr. Avink, would choose the best story in the class and send the writer to the Young Authors Conference—a one-day writing conference for kids. I won with Baby May’s Birthday despite the lack of conflict or antagonist. I remember the moment Mr. Avink told me the news. And I remember how I felt afterward as I went floating down the hallway, thinking, “I’m going to be… (dramatic pause) A WRITER.”
Do you have a favorite fictional
character, male and female? Why?
