Books with author J.G. McKenney

Knights wield words as weapons, librarians are wizards, and books can change the future!When her parents are condemned to death by Morgan Fay for the crime of reading, Arti Penderhagen becomes a fugitive. Hunted by Mordred, the sadistic police captain who recites poetry to enhance his physical strength, Arti escapes to the Isle of Avalon, a sanctuary for outlaws. There she meets an old librarian named Merl who tells her about the Grail Tome, an ancient book in Morgan Fay's possession that can alter the course of history. Can Arti steal the book in time to save her family? ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARD WINNER - Young Adult Fiction"This dynamic, fast-paced story begins on page one with punch and intrigue. Just a few pages with Arti and we are fully invested in her struggle, her spirit, and her fight against the Corporation." The Eric Hoffer AwardShort-listed for the Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize.A Montaigne Medal finalist for most thought-provoking book."Everything a great story should have." Amazon Review"A fantastic ode to reading." Goodreads Review

"Its ties to Nature, the depth of the story line, and the wonderfully written characters, all mesh together to create something that is wholly immersive and enchanting." HopelessBibliophile.comAfter the death of his father, twelve-year-old Bobby Wright escapes from his troubles in the pages of a fantasy novel. He longs for adventure but knows that in real life there is no such thing as magic, and no worlds to save. That changes when he answers a wild-looking boy's plea for help.The boy has come from an alternate world, having passed through Eon's Door, an ancient tree portal. His home is in peril, and he needs Bobby's help to save it. Their dangerous mission will take them into a land of magic, awesome creatures, and a powerful villain determined to destroy them. Join the ultimate battle between good and evil--on the other side of Eon's Door. ****A READER VIEWS REVIEWERS CHOICE AWARD WINNER****"A must read for anyone who enjoys a touch of mythical creatures and magic." BlogCritics.org"Everything I enjoy reading--a new world, new creatures, quests, and special talents (telepathy). McKenney thoroughly thought through these elements and the result is a wonderful adventure story." Mind-Ventures"A captivating storyline with a lovely surprise at the end...beautiful imagery, and a great read." Sift Book Reviews

Knights wield words as weapons, librarians are wizards, and books can change the future! When her parents are condemned to death by Morgan Fay for the crime of reading, Arti Penderhagen becomes a fugitive. Hunted by Mordred, the sadistic police captain who recites poetry to enhance his physical strength, Arti escapes to the Isle of Avalon, a sanctuary for outlaws. There she meets an old librarian named Merl who tells her about the Grail Tome, an ancient book in Morgan Fay's possession that can alter the course of history. Can Arti steal the book in time to save her family? A Montaigne Medal finalist for most thought-provoking book. "This holds the beauty and wonder of some of my favorite classics, such as The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Lord of the Rings." "The Sword in the Stone meets The Lies of Locke Lamora." "Everything a great story should have." "A fantastic ode to reading."

“Patriots always talk of dying for their country and never of killing for their country.” --Bertrand Russell Young Zammie and Kyla have been given the magical gift of time travel, and they soon find the past is not always a pretty place. In the midst of great chaos decisions need to be made. Fight or flee? Help or hide? Violence or peace? Sent on an epic journey across three continents during three critical moments in history, Zammie and Kyla will live through the harrowing experience of the A-bomb on Hiroshima and participate in the Battle of Gettysburg. Before returning home, they will experience the cold and frightening night of Kristallnacht in Nazi-run Germany. Killing for Country is a heart-wrenching and dramatic exercise of historical fiction sure to leave even the most knowledgeable reader both breathless and better informed.

Cousins Zammie and Kyla lived a typical middle school existence until the day their neighbor, the old East Indian man they called "Mister G" gave Zammie a small silver doll as a gift. They weren't sure what to make of the doll at first, but they quickly learned that the figure had amazing powers including the ability to transport them through time allowing them to experience famous moments in history in ways most people could never imagine. In their first time trip, Zammie and Kyla arrive in ancient Greece around 480 B.C., at the dawn of the Second Persian Invasion. They meet a young farm boy named Argo who is searching for his kidnapped sister, and the cousins decide to tag along and help. Along their journey they meet the mystical Oracle at Delphi, become stowaways on a merchant ship, evade pirates while being stranded in the Gulf of Corinth, and eventually outwit a powerful land owner while attempting to free Argo's sister. They also learn much about the history of Greece at this time, what kind of food the people ate, how people dressed, and how they told stories.

After returning home upon completion of their first time trip, Zammie and Kyla are eager to travel back in time again. On this second voyage they arrive in Maryland in the cold December of 1850, eleven years prior to the U.S. Civil War. Their journey exposes them firsthand to many of the drudges of slavery: the auction block, the whippings, and a difficult escape from captivity along the famed Underground Railroad. The two cousins meet a young Harriet Tubman who has decided to help lead other fugitive slaves towards the free state of Pennsylvania for the first time. This group includes three of Harriet's brothers plus one of their wives and a young infant. Along their trek they must outwit Bloodhounds, find safe harbors for food and shelter in the wilderness, and avoid a cold-blooded bounty hunter who is relentlessly tracking after them. The story is a balanced mix of dramatic narrative and historical context. The reader will gain a much better understanding of the plight of runaway slaves along the Mid-Atlantic States both from the perspective of their immediate needs of food, shelter, and safety, and the bigger picture regarding the U.S. legal environment and the differing attitudes of the free population in the years leading up to the Civil War.

The time-traveling cousins, Zammie and Kyla, are back . . . back to 1620 where they become separated from each other along the shores around Cape Cod. Zammie spends several months living with a Wampanoag Indian tribe while Kyla crosses the Atlantic on The Mayflower. Zammie must prove his worth as a hunter to the Natives in order to keep from being traded to a neighboring tribe, while Kyla does her best to help the fledgling English settlers while their numbers decline from starvation and sickness. Over the course of a year they learn that the First Thanksgiving is much more than just turkey and stuffing. They learn about survival, friendship, building trust with strangers, and showing loyalty. They meet Squanto, Massasoit, Captain Standish and Edward Winslow as well as a host of other historical figures involved in the long drama that we celebrate today as one of our most treasured holidays.

Dart Dartmouth prepares for the biggest race of his life; the Triple Muzzle-Mart Grand Stakes. But as the day unfolds, and the race reaches it's final leg, an accident unravels causing injury to Dart, robbing him of the Triple Muzzle-Mart Grand Champion title. Dart's owners react cruelly to the outcome of the race by setting a despicable plan into place. Only Gumbo, Dart's best friend, is aware that this once famous greyhound is being sent on a trip from which he will never return. Follow two best friends from the tracks at Wonder Farms to the bowels of the big city in this heartwarming tale. A tale of betrayal, friendship, love and courage. See what one dog will sacrifice to save the lives of thousands.

After returning home upon completion of their first time trip, Zammie and Kyla are eager to travel back in time again. On this second voyage they arrive in Maryland in the cold December of 1850, eleven years prior to the U.S. Civil War. Their journey exposes them firsthand to many of the drudges of slavery: the auction block, the whippings, and a difficult escape from captivity along the famed Underground Railroad. The two cousins meet a young Harriet Tubman who has decided to help lead other fugitive slaves towards the free state of Pennsylvania for the first time. This group includes three of Harriet's brothers plus one of their wives and a young infant. Along their trek they must outwit Bloodhounds, find safe harbors for food and shelter in the wilderness, and avoid a cold-blooded bounty hunter who is relentlessly tracking after them. The story is a balanced mix of dramatic narrative and historical context. The reader will gain a much better understanding of the plight of runaway slaves along the Mid-Atlantic States both from the perspective of their immediate needs of food, shelter, and safety, and the bigger picture regarding the U.S. legal environment and the differing attitudes of the free population in the years leading up to the Civil War.

The time-traveling cousins, Zammie and Kyla, are back . . . back to 1620 where they become separated from each other along the shores around Cape Cod. Zammie spends several months living with a Wampanoag Indian tribe while Kyla crosses the Atlantic on The Mayflower. Zammie must prove his worth as a hunter to the Natives in order to keep from being traded to a neighboring tribe, while Kyla does her best to help the fledgling English settlers while their numbers decline from starvation and sickness. Over the course of a year they learn that the First Thanksgiving is much more than just turkey and stuffing. They learn about survival, friendship, building trust with strangers, and showing loyalty. They meet Squanto, Massasoit, Captain Standish and Edward Winslow as well as a host of other historical figures involved in the long drama that we celebrate today as one of our most treasured holidays.

Knights wield words as weapons, librarians are wizards, and books can change the future! When her parents are condemned to death by Morgan Fay for the crime of reading, Arti Penderhagen becomes a fugitive. Hunted by Mordred, the sadistic police captain who recites poetry to enhance his physical strength, Arti escapes to the Isle of Avalon, a sanctuary for outlaws. There she meets an old librarian named Merl who tells her about the Grail Tome, an ancient book in Morgan Fay's possession that can alter the course of history. Can Arti steal the book in time to save her family? Eric Hoffer Book Award Winner - Young Adult Fiction "This dynamic, fast-paced story begins on page one with punch and intrigue. Just a few pages with Arti and we are fully invested in her struggle, her spirit, and her fight against the Corporation." (The Eric Hoffer Award) Short-listed for the Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize A Montaigne Medal finalist for most thought-provoking book