Books published by publisher Fir Valley Press

An easy to read, step-by-step format that assists gun dog owners by providing proven methods emphasizing socialization, exposure and conditioning during the critical first 12 months of a dog's life. Over 130 photographs show the reader how to bring your pup along, using the easy, informal, time-tested methods. Now in the new, 4th edition, revised, this book continues to help hunters avoid making mistakes during the critical first months of a dog life, mistakes that could ruin an otherwise fine dog.

This award-winning novel is a captivating and profoundly relevant story about the struggles of a homeless pregnant teenager, set against a backdrop of murder and deceit. The novel won the 2011 Eric Hoffer Award in the Young Adult book category. It was also named a Finalist in the Popular Fiction category of the 2010 National Indie Excellence Book Awards. Midwest Book Review says, "'Tamara’s Child' is a thought provoking and heartstring jerking tale that should not be passed up.”Tamara Ames is sixteen years old, pregnant, and on her own when she arrives in the small lumber town of Fir Valley, Oregon, determined to make a new and better life for herself and her child. And when she falls victim to a diabolical scheme to steal her newborn baby from her, she is not about to give her child up without a fight, even if she has to take on the wealthiest and most powerful family in the county. But is Tamara fighting against her child's own best interests? Only she can decide. And it's a decision that she--and her child--will have to live with for the rest of their lives. In "Tamara's Child," B K Mayo weaves from sensuous detail a storyline as gritty and complex as life itself. Loss, treachery, greed, even murder play roles in this riveting tale. But in the end, it is the redemptive value of unconditional love that drives the pivotal action of the novel. One part suspense, one part drama, and wholly satisfying, "Tamara's Child" plumbs the psyche of a dynamic cast of characters, some motivated by self-interest, some by self-sacrifice, some by self-doubt, but all clinging to the hope that they can ultimately wring from life the happiness and fulfillment that has thus far been denied them.“It took me less than 24 hours to read this book because I couldn’t put it down.”—Tricia Dias, Douglas County News

Joel Suzuki gets a huge surprise when he bumps into his favorite rock star while walking down the street. You see, this particular rock star – multiplatinum bandleader Marshall Byle – is supposed to be dead. Joel gets an even bigger surprise when Marshall makes him the offer of a lifetime: The chance to become a rock star himself. There's a catch, of course, but this one is a little different. To unlock the shortcut to success, Joel must travel to an alternate world where his unique brain waves can be combined with the sound waves of music to create magical effects. If he can learn to harness these powers, he will be able to write songs that capture the hearts of millions. As a sensitive sixteen-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome living in a single-parent home, Joel leads a stressful life full of bullies, bad grades and money woes. Figuring that stardom will solve all of his problems, he accepts Marshall's offer. But once Joel arrives in the new world, he finds himself faced with an unexpected audition that is unlike anything he has ever imagined…

After decades of singing the music of J. S. Bach and lecturing about his life in the 18th century, renowned Bach tenor David Gordon has compiled this personal collection of historical anecdotes, scholarly explanations, vintage illustrations, time lines, bits of pathos, gritty descriptions of everyday life, and colorful glimpses of Bach and the world around him.The Little Bach Book is a series of vignettes of Johann Sebastian Bach as a life-long salaried professional musician. These Bach scenes are presented in a rich context of middle-class daily life in Saxony in the early 18th century. What did people eat, drink, and wear, how did they bathe and cook? What fuels heated and illuminated their homes? How many weekly church services were there in Leipzig in 1727, and how many taverns?The central subject of this richly illustrated book is J. S. Bach, but nearly half the pages are devoted to engaging and detailed descriptions of the everyday world that surrounded him. Both elements contain the unexpected.This book is a refreshingly down-to-earth look at Bach's life and times, not an analysis of his music. For the newcomer to Bach, for the experienced listener, and for the general history buff, this book will be entertaining, moving, and sometimes surprising.

Tamara's Child is an award-winning novel about the struggles of a homeless pregnant teenager, set against a backdrop of murder and deceit. The book has been called a mystery and a drama with a lot of heart, because although it's essentially a family drama, it reads more like a suspense novel. It won the 2011 Eric Hoffer Award in the Young Adult book category. It was also named a Finalist in the Popular Fiction category of the 2010 National Indie Excellence Book Awards.Tamara Ames is sixteen years old, pregnant, and on her own when she arrives in the small lumber town of Fir Valley, Oregon, determined to make a new life for herself and her child. And when she falls victim to a diabolical scheme to steal her newborn baby from her, she is not about to give up her child without a fight, even if she has to take on the wealthiest and most powerful family in the county. But is Tamara fighting against her child's own best interests? Only she can decide. And it's a decision that she--and her child--will have to live with for the rest of their lives.In Tamara's Child, B K Mayo weaves from sensuous detail a storyline as gritty and complex as life itself. Loss, treachery, greed, even murder play roles in this riveting tale. But in the end, it is the redemptive value of unconditional love that drives the pivotal action of the novel. One part suspense, one part drama, and wholly satisfying, Tamara's Child plumbs the pyche of a dynamic cast of characters, some motivated by self-interest, some by self-sacrifice, some by self-doubt, but all clinging to the hope that they can ultimately wring from life the happiness and fulfillment that has thus far been denied them.

Baldr the Beautiful is dead.Hel, the half-skeletal Queen of the Realm of the Dead, intends to keep him that way.Desperate to get back to his privileged role as Óðinn’s favorite son, Baldr strikes an audacious bargain with Hel, offering the only thing he’s got: knowledge from the living world. She gives him three days. If Baldr can teach Hel something she doesn’t already know, she will return him to Asgard.If not, Baldr will remain in the Realm of the Dead forever.* * * *"Do yourself a favour and grab hold of this new release from Samantha MacLeod now!" - A Reader's Review Blog"Lo and behold, Samantha MacLeod hits another one out of the park. Out of the realm, even." - Caldwell Publishing"I don't know whether this is a retelling of an original myth and, frankly, I don't much care. For me, the author has once again produced colourful characters who, although the stuff of legends, are nevertheless beset with human flaws and insecurities." - A British Bookworm's Blog

Rising just south of San Francisco, through San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and western Santa Clara counties, the Santa Cruz Mountains offer amazing scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities for Bay Area residents and visitors. This compact, detailed reference guides hikers, bikers, bird watchers, naturalists, and other outdoor enthusiasts through redwood canyons, conifer and oak woodlands, along the rugged Pacific coast, and to breathtaking summit views of the Bay Area and beyond. Each chapter includes an overview of the park or preserve with directions on how to reach it; detailed trail maps; and descriptions of trail conditions, ecology, topography, geology, history, and points of interest. At the beginning of the book, a map illustrates all the public lands in the mountains, and a separate chapter lists each unit of public land alphabetically. Special sections highlight noteworthy features, including poison oak, acorn woodpeckers, logging history, interesting characters, banana slugs, the best places for dog walking, and more.

Sami can’t swim.This hasn’t been a problem since he lives on a planet covered in ice.Until a meteor strikes one night, shattering the ice and forcing hot water from deep underground through the cracks.Unaware the planet is in the beginning of a worldwide meltdown, Sami presses on with his plight to help his new friend Ela find her long lost family.After a series of accidents, attacks, and tough decisions, Sami finds himself alone and stranded on a rapidly iceberg in the middle of a vast and unforgiving sea.Only a miracle can save him and reunite him with his friends.But some miracles carry ancient secrets that completely redefine who you are and who you can become.

Big Valley Press is pleased to announce the publication of Books In a Box: Lutie Stearns and the Traveling Libraries of Wisconsin. Lutie Stearns established hundreds of traveling libraries in Wisconsin between 1895 and 1914. A founder, and later employee, of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission, Lutie’s mission of sharing books and opportunity brought her to North Woods lumber camps, to farming communities, and to industrial centers throughout the state. Despite a devastating stutter, she gave thousands of book talks and, later in her life, became a famous public speaker. Along the way, she met and worked with such historical luminaries as State Senator Joseph Stout, Zona Gale, Jane Addams, and Robert LaFollete. Books in a Box is a fictionalized biography for children aged 8-14. It is drawn from Lutie’s correspondence, magazine articles, and other historical accounts. Turn of the century Wisconsin is the backdrop for her story, and period photographs illustrate both the character of the state at the time and the particulars of traveling libraries. Lutie emerges as a passionate advocate for literacy, as a Progressive political activist, as a women’s rights advocate, and as an astute community organizer. People of that time said that Lutie Stearns proclaimed the Gospel of the Village Library with the same conviction as a revival preacher. Books in a Box brings Lutie Stearns to life in an accessible story that students and adults will savor and remember.

"Johnny and Sue thought Tuesday would never come. That was the day they were to take their first train ride—all by themselves, too! Not only that, but they were going to spend ten whole days at Grandpa’s farm! They loved to visit the farm. For Grandma would let them hunt eggs in the hay mow, and Grandpa would let them ride on the tractor. And they could hug the soft, wooly lambs and let the baby calves suck their fingers. Besides, there were Grandma’s wonderful fried chicken dinners and delicious cherry pies! And Grandpa’s exciting bedtime stories! They could hardly wait!" Most of today’s children have never visited a farm and have no notion of daily chores or of picking vegetables anywhere but in the supermarket. Children need to know that without farmers there would be no food. They need to know that milk doesn’t come from square cardboard containers in the supermarket cooler. Joe’s book will introduce them to a way of life that is as rewarding as it is difficult, and it may make them more appreciative of what is set in front of them at supper, before their story time and bed.

A biography exploring the life of lyricist Yip Harburg. Yip was a master craftsman, a poet, a Broadway luminary, and a social activist. He was also responsible for not only the songs of the Wizard of Oz, but also for shaping the arc and details of the final script and story. Yip was funny, clever, and deeply committed to social justice. His political views and associations led to his blacklisting in the 1950s. But he never recanted his views or named names, maintaining a strong sense of freedom and love for his country.

Jess is desperate to be with Jason, the boy she loves. Too bad he lives in another reality.After enlisting her mother's help to create a device that will allow her to switch places with her alternate self, Jess finally gets her chance to be with the boy of her dreams.There's only one problem. Jason is already dating another girl. A girl who happens to be Jess's new step-sister.Can Jess get them to break up before the big dance? If she can, will Jason even want to be with her?While Jess is focused on her boy troubles, more sinister things are going on behind her back that might render her plight meaningless.