Books
The Miraculous
In the tradition of heartwrenching and hopeful middle grade novels such as Bridge to Terabithia comes Jess Redman's stunning debut about a young boy who must regain his faith in miracles after a tragedy changes his world.
Eleven-year-old Wunder Ellis is a miracle-collector. In a journal he calls The Miraculous, he records stories of the inexplicable and the extraordinary. And he believes every single one. But then his newborn sister dies, at only eight days old. If that can happen, then miracles can’t exist. So Wunder gets rid of The Miraculous. He stops believing.
Then he meets Faye―a cape-wearing, outspoken girl with losses of her own. Together, they find an abandoned house by the cemetery and a mysterious old woman who just might be a witch. The old woman asks them for their help. She asks them to believe. And they go on a journey that leads to friendship, to adventure, to healing―and to miracles.
The Miraculous is Jess Redman’s sparkling debut novel about facing grief, trusting the unknown, and finding brightness in the darkest moments.
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of 2019
An Amazon Best Children's Book of 2019
Sakura Medal nominee
“Redman explores faith, the intertwined nature of sorrow and joy, and the transformative process of grief through Wunder's eyes in a part-fantasy, part-realistic adventure with genuinely humorous moments. . .Layered, engaging, and emotionally true.”
―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"A stunning story expressing the complexities and mysteries of love and death in all of its light and darkness. A beautifully rendered and meaningful read for young readers asking deep questions."
-Veera Hiranandani, author of the Newbery Honor-winning The Night Diary
“Filled with longing, love, hope and wisdom, The Miraculous is a small miracle of a book.”
-Alison McGhee, author of Dear Sister and the #1 NYT Bestseller Someday
"Exquisitely crafted, serious yet woven through with wry humor, this story's miracles are its fierce and tender characters. I loved this extraordinary debut."
-Leslie Connor,
author of The Truth as Told
by Mason Buttle,
National Book Award Finalist
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Quintessence
Three months ago, twelve-year-old Alma moved to the town of Four Points. Her panic attacks started a week later, and they haven’t stopped—even though she told her parents that they did. And every day she feels less and less like herself.
Then Alma meets the ShopKeeper in the town's junk shop, The Fifth Point. The ShopKeeper gives her a telescope and this message:
Find the Elements. Grow the Light. Save the Starling.
That night, Alma watches as a star—a star that looks like a child—falls down from the sky and into her backyard. She knows what it’s like to be lost and afraid, to long for home. And if a star really is stranded in Four Points, Alma knows she has to get it back up to the sky. With the help of some unlikely new friends from Astronomy Club and the mysterious ShopKeeper, she sets out on a quest that will take a little bit of science, a little bit of magic, and her whole self.
QUINTESSENCE is a stunning story of friendship, self-discovery, interconnectedness, and the inexplicable elements that make you you.
Recipient of the NCTE's Charlotte Huck Honor Award, QUINTESSENCE is “an unforgettable quest in which a young girl, along with her companions, journeys to the stars and back, finding friendship, magic, and her place in the world."
A Sunshine State Young Readers Award book
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of 2020
“Mixing modern science and alchemical traditions, Redman (The Miraculous) delivers a fanciful adventure with a rich emotional core and a fairy tale flair...Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, this is a clever, entertaining story with its own distinct identity.”
―Publisher's Weekly
"A wildly imaginative tale full of wonder and hope that is grounded in our everyday world and the very real problems that today’s children face.”
―Megan Frazer Blakemore,
author of The Story Web
“A magical, wondrous book. . .The story is beautifully written and gave me chills almost constantly―with that magic-just-around-the-corner feeling.”
―Gillian McDunn, author of
Caterpillar Summer
"As bright and magical as a falling star, Quintessence is a beautifully told story that collided with my heart and set it aglow.”
―Heather Kassner, author of
The Bone Garden
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The Adventure Is Now
A fun-filled, action-packed middle grade novel about a boy who learns about protecting the environment, finding real friends, and living in the now while spending the summer on a remote island.
Sometimes it's hard to be Milton P. Greene. He says all the wrong things, his family is falling apart, and everyone at school avoids him because of the very embarrassing Bird Brain Incident. But when Milton plays his video game Isle of Wild, he becomes someone else—Sea Hawk, the brave and brilliant naturalist explorer who conquers danger at every turn.
Then Milton’s parents ship him off to the super remote Lone Island for the summer, where his uncle Evan is an environmental researcher. The island is chock-full of spectaculous sights and astonishing species, and Milton realizes this is his chance to become the brave and brilliant naturalist he’s always wanted to be—and even meet some fellow explorers!
But as it turns out, the future of the Lone Island is in some pretty serious peril, and the only thing that can save it is a field guide full of cryptic clues. If Milton and his unexpected new friends are going to protect the island, they’ll have to trust each other, discover new truths, and embark on a wild and wondrous adventure all their own.
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of 2021
Amazon Editor's Pick
Rhode Island Children's Book Award nominee
“Magic blooms as thick as Truth-Will-Out Vine on every page of this story. I adore Milton P. Greene, his wild adventure, his magical island, and his brave, daring heart.”
―Natalie Lloyd, NYT-bestselling author of A Snicker of Magic and The Problim Children series
"A Roald Dahl-esque delight."
―The Bulletin of the Center for
Children's Books
“Vividly imagined and full of heart, The Adventure is Now is a delight! This story is just right for our current times, when we’re all yearning for a ‘spectaculous’ adventure.”
―Gillian McDunn, author of
Caterpillar Summer and
These Unlucky Stars
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Season of Light
A luminous picture book about Christmas traditions that make the season a time of joy, love, faith, and light.
Under star-filled winter skies, with homes and trees aglow, with candles lit and hearts so full, our love will shine and grow.
From paper snowflakes to silver bells, reindeer to wise men, Christmas is a season of faith and song, giving and serving, loved ones and light that can last the whole year through. With Jess Redman's beautiful poetic text and Ramona Kaulitzki’s luminous illustrations, Season of Light is sure to be a holiday favorite for years to come.