Please also support your locally-owned bookstores!
The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes
A Multi-cultural group of superheroes are entering middle school. They’re excited to work on the new CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in their advanced science classroom, and share a love of spy-gadgets.
Twelve-year old Marty grapples with adolescence and superpowers inherited from his maternal grandmother. Christopher, Marty’s buddy since kindergarten realizes his friend has been keeping a secret. Marty’s antics in their Advanced Science classroom and swim practice can’t be explained away, and his grandmother is getting suspicious. She advises him not to use his superpowers until she says he’s ready. Her powers helped Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the U.S. Civil Rights movement.
Soon, Marty is testing his superpowers, and creating robot soldiers who follow his every command. He learns international goons are working with the school bully to steal valuable CRISPR-Cas9 data stored at their beloved International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.
In the nation’s capital, Marty’s hard-pressed to keep his promise to his Granny. His superpowers and spy gadget expertise are tested in ways he never could have imagined. The goons will stop at nothing to get the prized CRISPR-Cas9 secrets onto the private jet destined for their home country. Who will win?
I’m honored that my novel, The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes received winner recognition (honorable mention for writing in the middle reader category) in the 2019 Eric Hoffer Book Awards. My book designer, Ian Wade and I also received finalist recognition and the da Vinci Eye award for book design. In late 2019, Lora also received finalist status in the Best Book Awards.
Our Bodies Stay Home, Our Imaginations Run Free
The pandemic our world is experiencing is spoken of as a once in a 100-year event. No wonder we are going through emotions we’ve never experienced! No one is feeling this shift in normalcy as much as our children.
As I listen to the children in my Glendale, WI neighborhood experience the highs and lows of their new reality (and not knowing when things will return to ‘normal’), my heart goes out to them.
Our Bodies Stay Home, Our Imaginations Run Free is my new book, one I could not have anticipated months earlier. Inspired by a competition held by Emory Global Health Institute, I took on the challenge to write this book. Written in late April, updated in May, and published in June, this may be a record of some kind.
My hope is that this book helps children ages 6-10+ navigate their scary new world due to the coronavirus. Seven year old Maya is struggling with her feelings as she misses her classmates and teacher, her friends, her grandparents, and visits to her favorite places. And even worse, her 8th birthday is coming up during quarantine. How can she possibly have a party? With her family’s help, Maya understands she needs to do her part to help her family and community. Practicing proper handwashing, wearing a mask, and social distancing is needed. She finds joy in making masks, watching nature and creative play from afar. Maya is amazed when she has the best 8th birthday party ever!
Journeys of Home:
Stories of Migration, Perseverance
and Culture
June 2023
ISBN: 978-0-9986683-5-2
Journeys of Home: Stories of Migration, Perseverance and Culture
Through personal stories, three authors and an illustrator take readers on a journey of the mosaic of America. Through their various cultures: African American, Hmong American and Mexican American, supplemented by student creative writing, readers walk in their shoes, and are enriched by these tales. Stories range from one family’s journey from south to north as part of The Great Migration, to an inspiring story of a child persevering through family hardships, and a vivid account of cultural practices that enrich our community. All contain important life lessons for readers of every age.
Creative Wisconsin Anthology: 2021 Jade Ring and Student Writing Contest Winners
Publisher: WWA Press (September 1, 2021)
ISBN-13: 979-8465147491
Creative Wisconsin Literary Journal 2017
Publisher : WWA Press (September 19, 2017) Paperback : 148 pages
ISBN-10: 0982842856
ISBN-13 : 978-0982842850
Creative Wisconsin Literary Journal 2017