Books published by publisher Luminare Press, LLC

Chipper Murphy and his friends have built a secret treehouse located deep in the orange groves that surround their small town. During an overnight trip, they discover that they aren’t the only ones drawn to the deep solitude of the grove and its many mysteries. Over the course of one summer, the friends learn that many things are not what they appear to be.Chipper, who struggles with the secret burden of his mother’s increasing dependence on alcohol, faces danger, real and perceived, while grappling with the meaning of trust and true friendship.

This collection of 61 poems is chock-full of lighthearted, read-aloud fun. Life lessons are interwoven throughout deliciously random rhymes, featuring endearing illustrations and unforgettable characters. The title poem, “The Gumball Lottery,” tells the story of a kiddo who has spotted the perfect gumball in the machine and takes a chance to win the sweet prize. Other poems in this assortment use iconic childhood symbols as opportunities for teachable moments (unicorns and roller coasters and mermaids, oh my!). And some rhymes are simply just for fun—because there’s a lesson in that, too. Whether you choose to savor each rhyme one bite-sized morsel at a time—or consume them by the handful—you might just find that you’re glad you took a gamble at The Gumball Lottery.

Traffickers and pimps have playbooks with explicit instructions for breaking and selling girls for sex. Ann Marie Jones, a survivor of sex trafficking, and Carol Hart Metzker, an activist and an ally for survivors, are fighting back. Together, they created a playbook to help parents, teachers, and community members—who cherish children—to protect kids and prevent new victims. A Shield Against the Monster leads readers through the dark tunnel of the realities of sex trafficking to emerge equipped to shield their community’s children. The playbook includes:Compelling first-hand stories and tips from a survivor who has been through the tunnel and an activist who has seen it.Essential information for understanding what the monster of sex trafficking looks like and how to fight it.Twenty-five action items for helping protect kids from sex trafficking by enhancing caregiving skills, strengthening children, and building safer communities.

Buddies on the Beach: A Curious Tale of Sharing the Sea with Sharks is the fourth book in the Tales of Curious Critters series for early readers. It continues the adventures of Rosa and Boone. This time Boone's brother, Gus, joins them as their curiosity leads them to the ocean - the home of great white sharks. After watching a shark attack a surfer and hearing his friend say that sharks are "man-eaters", Gus believes he will never feel safe swimming in the ocean ever again. Gus' fear leads Boone and Rosa to begin to search for the truth about great white sharks with the help of a librarian, a lifeguard, a marine biologist, and a sleepover in a Shark Tunnel.

The Mighty T-Rex spends the day stomping, roaring, and playing across his kingdom. A sudden growl from his stomach makes it so he can play and roar no more! But what does a T-Rex eat? Vegetables? Eggs and Cheese? Bread? He goes on a search for the perfect meal, and only when it is found can the Tummysaurus Rex be revived and ready once again to rule his kingdom.

“Daddy, when are you coming home?” Tim asked his dad. “Soon, son,” his father replied. “I miss you a lot,” Tim said. “Me too. Well, don’t worry. I promise I’ll be back very soon.” “Okay,” Tim replied.They talked about his time at the park with his mom and how he felt when he saw other kids with their dads. His father reminded him of how proud he was of Tim for being strong. Tim felt so much better. Tim’s father deployed for nine months, and Tim faced many challenges during his absence.In a relatable and ultimately uplifting story based on the author’s life experiences, Tim learns to manage his stress and anxiety during his father’s deployment.