Joan Lowery Nixon

When her mother inherits an old plantation house in the Louisiana countryside, fifteen-year-old Lia seeks to rid it of the evil spirit that haunts it.

In 1861, while living with his foster parents at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, twelve-year-old Mike Kelly and his best friend Todd Blakely join the Second Kansas Infantry in the Union army as drummer boys but their dreams of glory end when they experience the full horrors of war at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri. When Todd dies in battle, Mike travels to the front lines to keep a dangerous promise: to return Todd's watch to his sister.

When their widowed mother can no longer support them, six siblings are sent on the orphan train by the Children's Aid Society of New York City to live with farm families in Missouri in 1860.

Nineteen-year-old Frances Mary Kelly, herself an orphan train rider six years before, returns to New York and agrees to escort a group of orphans west to find new homes.

Eleven-year-old Michael Patrick Kelly from New York City is sent to a foster home, a Missouri farm with a sadistic owner, a bullying son, and a number of secrets, one of which may be murder.

When an Internet prank turns serious, Sean becomes the main suspect
Bored in computer class, Sean Quinn and his friend Matt decide to liven things up with a little computer prank. But the laughs stop quickly when they accidentally hurt a younger student's feelings, earning themselves a quick trip to the principal's office. That night, Sean receives an anonymous email praising him for the prank, and promising to avenge his punishment by causing...

For fans of Gillian Flynn, Caroline Cooney, and R.L. Stine comes Search for the Shadowman from four-time Edgar Allen Poe Young Adult Mystery Award winner Joan Lowery Nixon.
 
        Twelve-year-old Andy Thomas isn’t thrilled with his teacher’s assignment to explore family history. But when he starts asking questions about his ancestors, he is surprised to discover a black sheep named Coley...

For fans of Gillian Flynn, Caroline Cooney, and R.L. Stine comes The Dark and Deadly Pool from four-time Edgar Allen Poe Young Adult Mystery Award winner Joan Lowery Nixon.
 
        Liz enjoys her summer pool job at the glamorous Ridley Hotel. Until the dark and lonely night when a ghastly shadow surges up from the pool. A face—eyes wide, mouth gaping—stares at Liz. A hand clutches at her...

While on vacation at a dude ranch, the Casebusters chase a horse thief
Sean and Brian Quinn can't think of anywhere cooler than the Austin Dude Ranch. Although neither has ever ridden a horse, they're positive that playing cowboy is going to become their favorite pastime. But before they can learn to rope and ride, they're going to have to practice their other favorite hobby: solving mysteries. A racehorse has been stolen from the neighboring...

Sean gets his chance at stardom, but a Hollywood jinx stands in his way
A movie is being filmed in Redoaks, and Sean Quinn wants to be a part of it. The movie is called New Guy in Town, and it stars famous child actors Dakota Wayne and Justin Moore. The director needs someone to serve as Justin's stand-in on the set, and when he sees Sean, he knows he's found the right boy. Sean may not end up on screen, but he is going to be part...