OCEANSIDE, Calif., Sept. 29, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Moving to a new city is never easy, especially for children. In Marlene Ricca-Krienke's Gravel: Adventures in Our New Town (now available through AuthorHouse), one boy's anxieties are quickly replaced by the thrill of discovery as he investigates his family's new home.
Soon after his family moves to the small, Midwestern town of Gravel, Johnny begins to notice mysterious occurrences in their home, a mansion that has invoked fear in the locals for years. At 9 years old, Johnny brims with the natural wonder of a child and immediately busies himself with an investigation. He has taken a back seat to his bullying twin brothers his entire life, and the secrets to which he gains access give him a sense of importance.
As the plot unfolds, more answers come to light and readers get to the bottom of the weird enigmas Johnny finds, such as tunnels, graveyard secrets, creepy spiders and a "cold clammy thing." The deeper he digs, the more dangerous the situation becomes. Johnny realizes he might need some help after all. His teenage sister becomes an unlikely ally despite his habit of tormenting her with his antics. Together, the two build a trusting relationship and work to solve the mystery while keeping the details under wraps.
An imaginative tale, Gravel explores life within a loving family and the workings of a small town. At the same time, it offers valuable life lessons in the form of a spooky story that captivates children of all ages. The book is published in large type "to facilitate reading by young children and senior adults," the author writes.
Ricca-Krienke is a mother and grandmother and lives in Southern California. She has always appreciated the joy and wonder children experience as they listen to stories. She emphasizes that God was the source of inspiration for Gravel, her first published book.
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