Books published by publisher Stories Matter Publishing

They say that lightning never strikes the same place twice, but for Zach Jacobs, that just isn’t true. It’s hard enough being seventeen-- juggling school, football, friends, and teenage romance-- but Zach’s about to find out just how complicated it can get when he begins to suspect that maybe he was the lightning. Teenage woes hardly seem significant when you’ve got lightning shooting from your fingertips and a couple of murderous Titans trying to settle an ancient score.Olympia Heights: The Pantheon is the first of four books in the Olympia Heights series.

Sometimes the most difficult choice is the only one you can make.Maggie knows the abuse she endured as a little girl isn't all that defines her. She's a strong student, varsity athlete, good person--but she's careful not to let anyone close. Because letting someone in means risking the truth, and the truth didn't work so well for her the first time. Now there's this great guy. He makes her think that maybe she could be normal. Maybe she could be happy. Just when life is looking good, the man who abused her barges back into her life, and she discovers another little girl is in danger. She can continue to hide her past--or confront it and risk her hard-won happiness. This time the choice will be hers.*Abuse is not depicted in a graphic manner. A Readers' Guide and link to resources appear at the end of the book. Praise for Say Something"We need more great books like Say Something that speak truth to our youth...Stories matter. This is an important book for every teenager, every parent and every adult who cares about children." Kim Shirk, LPC "Sometimes it is very difficult for adults to understand the tribulations teenagers have to go through on a daily basis. The author does a beautiful job describing the inner workings of Maggie. No matter the age, I feel like this is a must read. All in all, this novel is one of the best I have ever read and I am a book nerd." Aubree, high school student "Cathy Morrison's young adult novel Say Something brings Maggie to life, a strong female protagonist whose voice rings true and speaks to today's times. Readers will quickly be drawn into this compelling, important story and race to the end, but the novel's powerful message will stay with them long after its last page." Lisa McWain, High School Teacher

This is a special education childrens picture books that introduces autism. When an autistic child joins a mainstream school, many children can find it difficult to understand and cope with a student that is somewhat ‘different’ to them. This story encourages other children to be mindful and patient of the differences that exist and to also appreciate the positive contribution that an autistic child can make to the group - See more at: http://www.specialstories.net/autism/#sthash.x5rX5mVz.dpuf

‘’Dragons in the Clouds’’ is a epic adventure that takes place during a time period when Dragons were alive and freely roamed the land. The people during this time were getting eaten by a vicious species of Dragons. The ruling King finally orders the total annilation of all living dragons. A powerful wizard, named Merlinus, who is a friend to the king, does not agree with the Kings order, for Merlinus knows all Dragons are not what they seem. So he does what he must to protect a family of Dragons that he had befriended. And to protect his Dragon friends, Melinus performs the spell of weightlessness and tells the Dragons to fly up and to hide in the cover of the Clouds. He then gives the Dragons strict instruction to live within the clouds and to only come down at night to eat. An apprentice to the wizard who has grandeur of his own has a plan for Dragons that he has hidden deep within a mountain cavern. Now enters a young boy, who had also befriended a dragon, though a very young one, suddenly find themselves caught between the Kings order and a battle that has begun between two species of Dragons. A battle that would determine control of the skies above the Kingdom of Albian. This Apprentice’s plan has consequences that may bring the Kingdom and perhaps the very world we live in today to an devastating end.

This is a special education childrens picture books that introduces autism. When an autistic child joins a mainstream school, many children can find it difficult to understand and cope with a student that is somewhat ‘different’ to them. This story encourages other children to be mindful and patient of the differences that exist and to also appreciate the positive contribution that an autistic child can make to the group.

Sometimes the most difficult choice is the only one you can make.Maggie knows the abuse she endured as a little girl isn't all that defines her. She's a strong student, varsity athlete, good person--but she's careful not to let anyone close. Because letting someone in means risking the truth, and the truth didn't work so well for her the first time.Now there's this great guy. He makes her think that maybe she could be normal. Maybe she could be happy.Just when life is looking good, the man who abused her barrels back into her life, and she discovers another little girl is in danger. She can continue to hide her past--or confront it and risk her hard-won happiness.This time the choice will be hers.* Abuse is not depicted in a graphic manner.Praise for Say Something"We need more great books like Say Something that speak truth to our youth...Stories matter. This is an important book for every teenager, every parent and every adult who cares about children." Kim Shirk, LPC"Sometimes it is very difficult for adults to understand the tribulations teenagers have to go through on a daily basis - sometimes more in the head than anything else. The author does a beautiful job describing the inner workings of Maggie. No matter the age, I feel like this is a must read. It allows young adults to become familiar and "woke" about the harsh realities of the world and how certain things can happen to anyone. It also allows adults to understand how teenagers think, which could lead to better relationships between the two generations. All in all, this novel is one of the best I have ever read and I am a book nerd. Sitting down and taking a day (and I do mean a day because you won't be able to put it down) to read Say Something is a choice you will not regret." Aubree, high school student"Cathy Morrison's young adult novel Say Something brings Maggie to life, a strong female protagonist whose voice rings true and speaks to today's times. Readers will quickly be drawn into this compelling, important story and race to the end, but the novel's powerful message will stay with them long after its last page." Lisa McWain, High School Teacher

Children with Dyslexia or a learning difficulty often find school a daunting and sometimes terrifying daily task. In an environment where certain skills, like writing and reading, are praised and highlighted more than others, it is important for kids to recognise that everyone has a ‘special talent’ of their own. It encourages other kids to be mindful of the differences that exist between their friends and classmates and to be aware that all children, regardless of their talents, learn differently.

A bird’s-eye view above Little Puddle Pond allows a peek into Nellie and Willie’s world. There they can be found on opposite ends of the pond as far apart from each other as possible. Nellie and Willie spend each day on guard to protect their territory and do not hesitate to ruffle each other’s feathers. One day, Nellie and Willie must make a decision. Their friend, Bruce the Goose, is in a sticky situation and needs help. Can Nellie and Willie set aside their differences to help Bruce the Goose? What ensues is a brilliant rescue plan which leads to a startling realization as Nellie and Willie come to recognize they are more alike than they knew. Thus, begins a friendship between Nellie and Willie and how they learn to share Little Puddle Pond.

Tom isn t sure if he has any talents at all when he sees how good his friends are at writing and reading. But a school competition soon helps him to find his own very special talent ! Children with Dyslexia or a learning difficulty often find school a daunting and sometimes terrifying daily task. In an environment where certain skills, like writing and reading, are praised and highlighted more than others, it is important for children to recognise that everyone has a 'special talent' of their own. It encourages other children to be mindful of the differences that exist between their friends and classmates and to be aware that all children, regardless of their talents, learn differently.

This energy drink is killer. In Japan, sixteen-year-old Miyuki always felt like a square being pounded into a round hole. She turned her back on tradition and earned the fury of her father. The father who burned her with a cigarette and sent her off to live with strangers in a strange land. Now Miyuki is one of the Gems, a group of four talented young ladies who spy for a mysterious world-wide organization known simply as The Authority.When a new energy drink causes a rash of violence at their high-school, Miyuki and the Gems are sent to Japan to find out why. The visit forces Miyuki to see her father, now a senior executive of the company that produces Thunderdog.As Miyuki struggles with family, the Gems uncover a dark trail of conspiracy, bigotry, and a diabolical plan that would see most of the great cities of the world burn.Can Miyuki convince her father to help? Can the Gems stop thousands of teens from becoming weapons of mass destruction?Thunderdog is the third book in The Gems Young Adult spy thriller series that features genuine characters, heart-racing action, and lots of international intrigue. Think Gallagher Girls meets Totally Spies.If you like culturally-diverse characters, girl-power bonding, and crazy thrills, then the third book in Doug Solter's continuing young adult spy series is for you. Click or tap the buy button and experience the Gems thrilling new adventure today!For ages 13 through Adult.