Debut novel by E. M. St. Denis inspires courage, friendship, and wonder for readers ages 8–12
January 2026 — Author E. M. St. Denis announces the release of DROPZONE, a heartwarming and suspenseful middle grade mystery that blends adventure, humor, and emotional depth. Written for readers ages 8–12, DROPZONE introduces a resilient young heroine navigating change, uncertainty, and courage with the help of an unlikely team: a scrappy rescue dog and a curious new friend.
Nearly twelve-year-old Finn Charles has lived on three continents, speaks multiple languages, and knows her way around strange plants and homemade concoctions. What she cannot control is the long absence of her career-military father, who is away on a dangerous and undisclosed deployment. Newly settled in Weyanoke Falls, Virginia, Finn struggles with fear and loneliness while waiting for the moment she hopes will come, but worries might not.
Finn’s world begins to shift when she volunteers at a no-kill animal shelter and adopts Dotty, a mixed-breed dog with remarkable instincts and a mysterious past. Soon after, Finn meets Noah, a quirky neighborhood boy convinced that a hidden treasure lies somewhere inside the sealed-off portion of the divided house Finn now calls home. According to local legend, the treasure is concealed within a riddle buried in poetry, but its true nature remains unclear.
Driven by curiosity and the promise of something life changing, Finn, Noah, and Dotty set out on a secret search. What they uncover is not gold or jewels, but a series of challenges that test their bravery, trust, and resourcefulness. As danger escalates and a raging fire threatens the house and everyone inside it, the trio must work together to solve the mystery before everything is lost.
Inspired by St. Denis’s own childhood as a military dependent and her lifelong passion for dog rescue, DROPZONE reflects the emotional realities of children who grow up navigating constant change, multicultural experiences, and parental absence. “Facing new worlds with openness, courage, and curiosity is a set of skills no child should be without,” says St. Denis.
Perfect for fans of Bond and Simon’s Zora and Me series, DROPZONE is an ideal selection for classrooms, libraries, and family reading, offering fast-paced storytelling alongside themes of friendship, resilience, and hope.
About the Author
E. M. St. Denis writes middle grade mysteries featuring scrappy dogs, scruffy friends, and twisty, adventure-filled plots. Writing as Hazel Buys, her short stories 'Legend of the Ginkgo' and 'The Great White' appear in the anthology River City Secrets (Chop Suey Books Books). St. Denis is currently working on the next book in the Weyanoke Falls series.She lives in Virginia, where she rescues dogs, tends her garden, and writes novels, short stories, and haiku.
E. M. St. Denis writes middle grade mysteries featuring scrappy dogs, scruffy friends, and twisty, adventure-filled plots. Writing as Hazel Buys, her short stories 'Legend of the Ginkgo' and 'The Great White' appear in the anthology River City Secrets (Chop Suey Books Books). St. Denis is currently working on the next book in the Weyanoke Falls series.She lives in Virginia, where she rescues dogs, tends her garden, and writes novels, short stories, and haiku.