Brendan Jones

A fresh debut novel about a lost, fierce young woman who finds her way to Alaska and finds herself through the hard work of fishing, as far as the icy Bering Sea Tara Marconi has made her way to "The Rock," a remote island in Alaska governed by the seasons and the demands of the world of commercial fishing. She hasn't felt at home in a long while -- her mother's death left her unmoored and created a seemingly insurmountable rift between her and her father. But in the majestic, mysterious, and tough boundary-lands of Alaska she begins to work her way up the fishing ladder -- from hatchery assistant all the way to King crabber. She learned discipline from years as a young boxer in Philly, but here she learns anew what it means to work, to connect, and -- in buying and fixing up an old tugboat -- how to make a home she knows is her own. A beautiful evocation of a place that can't help but change us and a testament to the unshakable lure of home, The Alaskan Laundry also offers an unforgettable story of one woman's journey from isolation back to the possibility of love.

The Alaskan Laundry

In this eco-focused middle grade novel, readers follow the story of twin sisters, who move with their father to a small town in Alaska for a new start after facing the devastating loss of their mother. It's been four months since their mother died. The twins and their father have moved from Pennsylvania to a small town in Alaska to be near extended family. Nicky and Josie find the wilderness mysterious and beautiful, and a well-needed refuge for all of them. The girls drifted apart somewhat during their transition, each dealing with grief in a different way. Now, as they settle into a new normal, they become involved in a community debate that threatens the very land they are growing to love. For the local adults, livelihoods are at stake, and tensions are high. But it's the young people who take the lead, especially newcomers Josie and Nicky, who find a way to speak up for what they believe, reconnecting with each other and with their father in the process--and, they hope, doing their mother proud. Will their heartfelt plea keep the peace and save the trees that have existed for hundreds of years? Author Brendan Jones's passion for Alaska shines through in this, his debut middle-grade novel. Indeed, Brendan's efforts to save his own Alaskan community--a place he's called home for decades--and his appreciation for young activists greatly inspired Whispering Alaska. The rich detail with which he describes the astounding beauty of nature will make readers wonder whether they too can hear the trees whisper.

Brendan Jones

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