The Montgomery School Kids Series

For Middle Grade readers. Eleven year old New York City boy, Nestor, is usually the one causing the problems, but ask him, and you'd get a different story. He's always in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Nestor learns boundaries when he exhausts the patience of his friends and classmates with his incessant teasing, until they exact a plan to reinstate the relationships with a new set of rules. Nestor's best friend, Phil, doesn't want to know him. During the class science project presentations, Kwan Min, Nestor's most recent victim, sics his toad on Nestor's pet and science project, little Hector, the cockroach. Nestor never sees this coming. Nestor's insecurity and lack of popularity result in poor choices. He's always in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. At first, Nestor doesn't see his part in this negative reaction. In time, Nestor notices the scratches on the surface of the science table as he realizes that his wise-cracking attempts to be "cool" make his classmates grumble - not at all the reaction he expects. Nestor discovers many science facts with his online research: DNA, amber, resin and cockroaches. His classmates share facts about parakeets, snakes, hamsters and toads. Information is presented in an entertaining way, making it interesting and easy to learn. Nestor and the other students in the science class provide information in an entertaining way, making it interesting and easy to learn. You'll laugh your way through Nestor's antics. You see, Nestor really doesn't have a clue.

For Middle Grade readers. What begins as a light-hearted adventure ends as a commitment, when eleven year old New York City girl Holly, uses her passion for poetry to win a grant writing contest to study marine life in Florida during Christmas vacation with her best friend, Jasmine. Holly looks forward to leaving the gray, winter skies of New York City behind. She imagines a carefree, fun in the sun adventure, but her optimism is short-lived. Her fear of public speaking is highlighted as Holly learns she must present her findings at a school assembly program. Jasmine's family problems and her fear of flying and swimming create obstacles to Holly's idyllic expectations. The contrast between the girls is heightened by revelations of their family lives and their different approaches to the world around them. Holly, the gentle poet, overcomes her fear of public speaking as she continues to grieve her father's death. Jasmine, the seemingly self-assured realist, battles her fears while dealing with the consequences of her alcoholic mother's neglect. Their friendship grows stronger as the girls accept each other's differences and limitations. Environmental issues are understood and an appreciation of the balance of nature and the interaction between the animal world and the environment is gained, with visits to biomes and ecosystems, as they interact with dolphins, alligators, swamp wetlands and manatees. Holly vows to raise money to help stranded marine mammals as they participate in a heart-wrenching rescue of stranded pilot whales on Florida's Gulf Coast. Throughout the story, questions are asked and answered in detail, as well-researched facts are imbedded in the dialogue and action. Since Holly writes poetry, some facts are written in unrhymed verse. Holly is particularly drawn to this world, and expresses interest in returning someday. She realizes the difference one person can make and hopes to be a catalyst for awareness and positive action. The girls accept awards for their multi-media presentation at their school assembly. When Holly is asked to make closing remarks, she walks on stage with confidence. She recites her poem, "The Ocean's Way" which makes an analogy between the ebb and flow of the tide and the questions and answers churning in her head. She overcomes fears and personal disappointments to reach her goals. Holly now understands how keeping the environment in balance insures continuity of all species.

For Middle Grade readers. Jesus and Voodoo. Party and prayer. Love and betrayal. Twelve year old New York City boy, Phil Williams, struggles with conflicting messages when, entrusted by his grandmother in the role of "Icebreaker," he visits estranged family in New Orleans as he sets out to restore the family relationship. With his best friend, Nestor, in tow, Phil encounters a series of strange events - erratic behavior by supposed family members, bloody headless chickens, an unseen intruder during the night. Nestor is convinced the bodies of Phil's family members have been taken over by voodoo practitioners. Phil refuses to accept this explanation and is determined to uncover the truth. Is it Voodoo? Or scare tactics by mere mortals? Phil's visit to the Land of Pirates results in a plan of action and determination to follow clues to solve the mystery. His investigations lead him to the source. Discovering an underground passageway once used as a stop in the Underground Railroad, the boys venture into darkness to discover the truth. Wanting to be viewed as a hero in saving his great-aunt, her husband and housekeeper, Phil refuses to involve the police and unduly places everyone at the merciless hands of the culprits. With everyone's life in jeopardy, Phil regrets his decision, realizing he may never get the chance to brag about his exploits at school. With the force for good watching, help comes from a hovering presence, just in the nick of time. Phil learns his strengths and weaknesses as he struggles to put the jumbled puzzle pieces in play. His appreciation of true friendship is apparent as his love of family and New Orleans are renewed. He visits Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Quarter, Mardi Gras World, the crypt of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Jean Lafitte Louisiana, the Audubon Aquarium and Riverwalk. Phil learns about Louisiana's history, swamps and the state's concern for environment and wildlife. He now understands the far-reaching effects of "fracking" and why environmentalists and public safety representatives are so strongly opposed. With his newly developed attention to detail, Phil composes a poem entitled "New Orleans" to capture his heart-felt memories. If Phil had to do it all over again, what would he have done differently? Probably nothing.

Book 4 in The Montgomery School Kids Series Eleven-year-old New York City boy Nestor Ramirez embarks on a journey to Alaska, intending to bring his father back home after an unsuccessful attempt at striking it rich. With his friend Kwan Min Park in tow, Nestor’s days as class clown are over as he discovers positive role models in unlikely places, and learns about the Alaska and South Korean cultures and a myriad of science and social studies facts. On the night of the blue moon, while toasting marshmallows and listening to scary stories, Nestor senses that changes are coming and redirects his attitude. “I also learned some important things this week. It’s all about GOALS - Go Out And Learn Something. Stop wasting time. Make a plan. Then do it. Yeah. It’s that simple.” Nestor is surprised at how much growing up he has done in one week. When Kwan Min tells him how much he likes the new Nestor, he responds, ”You know something, Kwan Min? So do I.” Please enjoy sample chapters of the previous books in the series: The Science Project, The Ocean’s Way, and Who Do Voodoo.