A HEARTFELT MIDDLE-GRADE FANTASY ADVENTURE
Aster the Spirit Talker
Ten-year-old Aster Finlay has always loved nature—but she never expected a tiny chickadee to speak her name.
Drawn into a secret world beneath the forest, Aster discovers that the connection between humans and nature has been broken—and the animals believe she may be the one who can restore it.
But not every creature wants humans welcomed back. To protect the forest and the friends she’s come to love, Aster will have to find a courage she isn’t sure she has.
A HIDDEN WORLD
A talking chickadee leads Aster beneath the trees and into a hidden world where animals have their own friendships, grudges, fears—and plans for the future.
That comes directly from the discovery sequence in the manuscript: Poe leads her down the concealed staircase inside the tree and eventually into the animal gathering place.
AN UNLIKELY HERO
Being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid.
Aster isn’t fearless. But with Poe and her devoted groundhog friend Hamilton beside her, she begins to discover that courage sometimes means doing something even when you’re scared.
A WORLD WORTH SAVING
Humans and nature have forgotten how to listen to each other.
As the new Guiding Spirit, Aster may be the animals’ last chance to restore a connection that was broken generations ago—if those determined to stop her don’t succeed first.
About Allie Compeau
Allie Compeau writes and illustrates funny, imaginative books for kids who like a little mischief with their stories. Her books are filled with quirky characters, ridiculous situations, and plenty of reasons to laugh.
When she isn’t writing or drawing, she’s usually dreaming up whatever trouble her next character is going to get into.