Middle-Grade Contemporary Fantasy
Published Date: 9-15-20
Publisher: INtense Publications LLC
Stuttering Darby is never perfect enough for her mother. Justin's been
silent since his dad died. Naz is struggling to learn English. But after
they meet at summer camp, mysterious calliope music from an abandoned
warehouse grants them power to communicate without words. When they sneak
inside, the dark, empty space bursts into a magical carnival. They're
greeted by the ghost of Leroy Usher, who asks for their help convincing his
family to restore the carnival to its former glory. In return, he promises
to teach the kids how to find their voices. As Darby, Justin, and Naz are
swept off on a series of midnight adventures via Mr. Usher's carnival rides,
they discover they're capable of more than they ever imagined. With each
challenge, their confidence in communicating – and in themselves
– grows. Meanwhile, they scheme to persuade the Usher family to revive
the carnival. But when Darby’s bunkmates trick her into starring in
the camp talent show, her budding confidence falters. Can she risk being
less than perfect by performing in the show and speaking up to Mr. Usher's
resistant son? If not, she'll put the carnival in danger and sabotage her
most important quest: to believe in herself, stutter and all.
Excerpt
Chattering blackbirds and blue jays pulled her back to her surroundings.
The scent of wintergreen berries, bluebells, and wild sassafras from the
bushes restored her resolve to continue by herself. She walked a bit faster
up a steep incline, removing her official Camp Inch Sweatshirt and tying it
around her thin waist.
At the hilltop, one sign pointing left read CAMP INCH VIA WHITE FALLS
HIGHWAY: 1/4 MILE EAST. Another pointed right, cautioning PRIVATE PROPERTY!
Her pulse quickened. She followed it past bushes and trees.
Below her, an orange football-field-sized building, dressed up with
castle-like turrets at each corner, rose several stories high. Darby smiled
with glee. I found it! Massive green letters spelling out
"L.U.C.K." were painted on its side, glowing brighter than ever. A
surrounding fieldstone wall led eastward toward camp.
She hurried down to a spot beside the immense wall where ten golden
horseshoes sat lodged in concrete. Same as when Monica and I found them! The
sun glinted on a colorless glass circle embedded above the horseshoes. Last
time they'd rushed too much to notice the lines inscribed on it. Now, she
knelt to read what they said.
All That We Give
Comes Back to Benefit Ourselves
With no time to figure that out, she placed her feet inside two of the
horseshoes, like last year. Her heart pounding, she waited anxiously for the
faint rumbling she and Monica had heard – or possibly imagined.
Will it even work without her?
The ground trembled ever so slightly beneath her.
She shivered with relief. Yes, I feel it!
Last year, their counselor came after them to end the adventure before it
began. This time, the rumbling got louder. Darby ducked to avoid the small
rocks and dust that fell from the stone wall looming above her head. Grating
and creaking accompanied deep vibrations inside the fieldstone. A Darby-size
section swung out on hinges, exposing a latch chain fastened to an old
wooden door. She tried to remember to breathe. Or how to breathe. Overcoming
the urge to back away, she yanked the chain, pushed the door open, and
strained to see.
For a few seconds, semi-darkness that lay beyond kept her cemented in
place. Finally, anticipation conquered her apprehension. I can't stop now.
Electrified, Darby squared her shoulders and stepped inside.
About the Author
Laura Segal Stegman grew up with parents who valued reading, and she still
finds herself spellbound by middle grade fiction. Some of her favorites,
then and now, are The Diamond in the Window, Ellen Tebbits, All of A Kind
Family, Wonder, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and The Miraculous. As
a writer, her non-fiction credits include collaboration on the travel book
Only in New York, and her feature stories have appeared in Los Angeles Times
and Westways Magazine, among others. A long-time publicist, she has
represented numerous arts organizations. Summer of L.U.C.K. is her debut
novel.
Contact Links
Twitter: @LauraStegman
Instagram: laura_stegman
Purchase Links
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