FROM SARAH:

May becomes abandoned 15 miles from home on the Kansas Prairie. Fans of Little House will enjoy this fast-paced story and the strong heroine. (A novel in verse.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

May is helping out on a neighbor's Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it's hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May's memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she's determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose's fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.

FROM SARAH:

Combine the masterful storytelling of Caroline Starr Rose and the emotional punch of a novel in verse, and you have this stunning historical fiction that’s perfect for readers who are fascinated by early colonial life. I’d recommend it for readers 9 and up, but it also makes a fantastic read-aloud for younger listeners. We are thrilled to welcome Caroline to the Waxwing family as she releases her picture book with us in 2026, Books Up the Mountain.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Alis and her parents make the long journey from England to settle the New World. But it doesn't go as planned and Alis, her parents, and the others of their small community soon find themselves at odds with the Roanoke tribe. As tensions rise between the settlers and the Native peoples, twelve-year-old Alis forms an impossible friendship with a Roanoke named Kimi. Despite language barriers, the two become as close as sisters, risking their lives for one another until Alis makes a decision that will change her life forever.

**Description from Amazon: Publishing in time for the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, here is a beautiful read-aloud about animal families preparing for an impending storm in their bayou habitat.   Journey to the Louisiana wetlands and watch as all the animals of the bayou experience one of nature’s most dramatic ...

FROM SARAH:

Perfect for kids who love adventures that include treacherous villains, encounters with the elements, and riddles to decipher. You'll learn a fair share about history, while you're at it! Best for 10+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

I'm a fan of everything written by Caroline Starr Rose, but this one is my favorite yet! Follow Jasper and his brother on their search for gold during the Klondike Gold Rush. It's a page-turning mystery your kids don't want to miss! Best for 10+, though younger kids can certainly listen in.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

According to legend, Will Cody (later known as America's greatest showman, Buffalo Bill) rode for the Pony Express at the age of fifteen. His most famous ride, recounted in this lyrical verse story, covered 322 miles, required 21 horses, and took over 21 hours to complete.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In 1889, New York reporter Nellie Bly—inspired by Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days—began a circumnavigation she hoped to complete in less time. Her trip was sponsored by her employer, The World. Just hours after her ship set out across the Atlantic, another New York publication put writer Elizabeth Bisland on a westbound train. Bisland was headed around the world in the opposite direction, thinking she could beat Bly's time. Only one woman could win the race, but both completed their journeys in record time.

FROM SARAH:

We are overjoyed to welcome Books Up the Mountain to our Waxwing Books collection! Sharing this story with the wrold has been a dream come true for me. Caroline's way with words is utterly breathtaking, and paired with Gabrielle's whimsical illustrations, this will be one you (and your kids!) won't want to put down.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A tale of courage, commitment and the transformative power of stories, Books Up the Mountain: A Packhorse Librarian Story is a compelling tribute to the brave women who served the people of the Appalachian mountains during the Great Depression. Written by Caroline Starr Rose and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, this picture book will capture young readers with its lyrical text, substantial back matter, and gorgeous illustrations.