What Happened Then
A house on a remote island. A broken family. A decades-old secret.
Can a family secret and feud spanning generations be solved over the course of one summer? In this alternating narrative by indie bestselling author Erin Soderberg Downing, when cousins Avery and Jax dredge up a dark secret from their parents' childhood, they'll have to decide whether some secrets are better left buried.
When a large, estranged family is mysteriously summoned together for a gathering at their broken-down family home on Crooked Lake, cousins Avery and Jax are the only ones who are able to find reasons to be excited about it.
But not long after they all arrive on the island, the family learns a horrible surprise: their beloved aunt has been diagnosed with ALS. This might be the reunion they'd been hoping for, but it's quickly feeling more like a final farewell.
But as cousins Avery and Jax begin to dig through two generations of history in the long-abandoned house, they also dredge up a dark secret. The drowning of a young girl that shattered the family decades ago. Can they figure out who has been blamed, who is actually responsible, and how to save the pieces of the family that are left? As secrets are unraveled and guilt and mistaken blame are revealed, the truth about what happened on one tragic night could destroy everything they've begun to build during their final moments together, or perhaps it could be the ointment this family needs to heal a wound that they all share.
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Praise for Just Keep Walking
"Nimbly plotted and deftly insightful." ― Kirkus Reviews
"If you like my books, then you'll love this one. It's a story filled with adventure and heart." - Dusti Bowling, author of The Canyon's Edge
"Outdoor adventure, a believable but not excessive amount of family tension, and a determined middle grade protagonist―these add up to an absorbing read with a satisfying conclusion." - Cathy Carr, author of 365 Days to Alaska
"Jo's emotional struggles and humor bring a richness and levity that make this one an enjoyable pageturner." - Afoma Umesi, Reading Middle Grade Blog
"A page-turning adventure story of resilence, forgiveness, and finding one's inner strength." - Elly Swartz, author of Hidden Truths
"A fun, heartfelt tale of adventure, family, and determination that will make you just keep reading." -- Dan Gemeinhart, award-winning author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Praise for Controlled Burn
"Sensitively wrought... Soderburg Downing meaningfully explores the healing power of nature and the beauty of connecting with family in this vibrantly detailed adventure." -- Publisher's Weekly
"A gorgeous, tender, wonderful book. Controlled Burn is a testament to the power and beauty of everyday moments of bravery, compassion, and love." -- Anne Ursu, author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy
"A compelling and moving exploration of the bonds of family, overcoming fears, and the power of friendship." -- Hena Khan, award-winning author of Amina's Voice
