The third book in the “Boomer’s Tales” series, Camp Resound, finds Nana Weathers, Chloe, her friend Shannon, and Boomer leaving New Hope for Camp Resound, a summer music camp. This camp gives talented children who sing and play various instruments the opportunity to interact with one another in choir and instrumental ensembles. Boomer doesn’t know that Peanut, the Chihuahua bully from dog obedience training and his owner, Jack, are at Camp Resound too. Carlos, a talented young violinist, doesn’t want to be at the camp. Back home, he is teased and bullied by some of his schoolmates. Chloe, Shannon, and Boomer make friends with Carlos. As the result of their friendship, Carlos has some unexpected surprises while there and an outcome he never expected to experience.
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 4: Campfire. When Peanut began to play with some of the kids, Jack came closer to the campfire to watch. Peanut was having fun with them and barking in that high, loud yip of his. His yip had hurt my ears in dog obedience classes. As Peanut went from kid to kid, he got more excited, and his yip got louder. Peanut ran up to Carlos, hoping that he’d play with him too. But Carlos stretched out his leg with the prosthesis and kicked Peanut away.
I had fun writing this book with music playing an important part of the story. Prior to being a children’s book author, I grew up taking dance, piano, and singing in choirs. In college, I majored in music and eventually became a professional classical singer and later a university professor. In all my books, music plays some part in the story. Finding inspiration in writing often comes from experiences one has had. I’d enjoy hearing what inspired you as a child that has continued into adulthood.