POLAND — Islandport Press announced it has signed award-winning author Tamra Wight of Poland to write a fourth installment in her popular “Cooper and Packrat” middle grade eco-adventure series.
“Mystery of the Bear Cub” is scheduled for released in October. The book includes illustrations from Massachusetts artist Carl DiRocco. It takes place at the lakeside Wilder Family Campground, and this time Wight explores themes of trash-dumping, black bears, divorce, homelessness and friendship.
“Tamra has taken the series to a new level,” Islandport Press Editorial Director Melissa Kim said. “Cooper and his friends have to tackle some larger environmental issues, but also some intense personal ones. She has managed to slip in a lot of heart and substance, yet still make it really fun for kids to read.”
“Mystery of the Bear Cub” is a follow-up to Wight’s award-winning titles, “Mystery of the Missing Fox,” “Mystery of the Eagle’s Nest” and “Mystery on Pine Lake.” All three titles were Junior Library Guild selections, and “Mystery on Pine Lake” was a Maine State Book Award finalist and Massachusetts State Book Award finalist.
The books are set at a campground much like Poland Spring Campground, which Wight has run for more than 20 years with her family. During the school year, she works as a teaching assistant at Whittier Middle School in Poland.
When Wight isn’t writing, she enjoys wildlife watching, hiking, geo-caching, kayaking, power-walking and snowshoeing.
Islandport Press is an award-winning publisher dedicated to stories rooted in the essence and sensibilities of New England. For more information, call 207-846-3344, visit www.islandportpress.com or email info@islandportpress.com.
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