For Eugene Appleton, the summer of 1876 in Rattlesnake Junction, Colorado promises to be just as sleepy as the ones before, his only excitement provided by the pulse-pounding Dead-Eye Dan adventure novels he devours.

But Eugene’s life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Tumbleweed Thompson, a gangly, red-haired boy who spins yarns about whaling voyages in the Atlantic and hidden stashes of gunpowder.

Drawn into Tumbleweed’s orbit, Eugene soon finds himself chasing smugglers, firing rifles, and competing for the attention of the lovely Charlotte Scoggins. The pair’s innocent mischief takes a serious turn when they stumble across a sinister plot hatched by the infamous Clean Shave Gang.

Soon, Eugene and Tumbleweed are smack inside the middle of a twisty plot lifted from the pages of a Dead-Eye Dan book. They’ve learned a lot from each other’s friendship. But will it be enough to thwart the Clean Shave Gang’s plans?

The debut novel from Glenn McCarty, The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson is a wild and woolly tale that’s classic Americana for a new generation.

Inspired by buddy adventure novels like Homer Price, The Great Brain, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the story follows 12-year-old Eugene Appleton, whose summer in the frontier town of Rattlesnake Junction, Colorado promises to be just as sleepy as the ones before, with his only excitement provided by the pulse-pounding Dead-Eye Dan adventure novels he devours. But Eugene’s life swerves into unexpected territory with the arrival of Tumbleweed Thompson, a gangly, red-haired drifter who spins yarns about whaling voyages in the Atlantic and ice fishing with the Inuits. It’s a novel about friendship, adventure, belonging, and finding out there’s a whole lot more out there than you first thought.

Glenn McCarty was raised in the shadow of Walt Disney World, and has never really grown up. He lives with his wife and children in a small town in Western New York that's pretty much Mayberry. But without Don Knotts. Bummer. He also has a dog who likes to bark at visitors, then boldly run and hide from them. He is the author of Horace and Oscar Visit the Lake, a children's chapter book, and is possibly at this very moment eating a slice of pie. Or thinking about it.

Glenn McCarty is the author of the children's middle grade novels The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson and Dead-Eye Dan and the Cimarron Kid, and companion short story collection Junction Tales. He has written about stories and parenting at Story Warren, and has shared the magic of stories with children and adults through speaking engagements, workshops, and hands-on writing classes. He lives with his wife, two boys, and a cowardly dog in a small town in Western New York that’s pretty much Mayberry. He wishes he could play the banjo, and has a slight obsession with all things Pixar, but he's working through it.

Learn more about the book at https://glennmccarty.com

Please share StoryJumpers with a friend if you enjoyed this episode. StoryJumpers is still growing, and your positive review and 5-star rating would help.

The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

Feedback, or Show Ideas? Send an email to podcast@wearethebridge.org

Download The Bridge Mobile App to get the latest podcast episodes as soon as they are published!

He needs to help his friend keep her home. But it means facing that cold, deep darkness ... Again.

Parker Buckman loves his new home in Rockport, Massachusetts. But strange things have been happening ever since Devin Catsakis’ funeral. A mysterious figure has been stalking the town, with a series of break-ins leaving everyone on edge.

Parker’s new friend Ella is just as convinced as her grandmother that it’s all the work of a ghost, and they could lose their home in Rockport if the stalker doesn’t stop.

Parker wants to help Ella, which means facing this mystery head- on. He also has to trust Harley—who seems to have his own hidden agenda—to have his back.

And God can see all hidden things, right? Parker is starting to won- der. Because the great revealer of secrets sure seems to be taking his time on this one.

TIM SHOEMAKER author of sixteen books, including Easy Target, Escape From the Everglades, and Code of Silence to name a few. Tim speaks at schools, churches, and other organizations (such as Focus on the Family, Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences, and Pastor Conferences). He also speaks at retreats, conventions, and workshops all across the country.

Learn more about all of his books - and gain some other life lessons - when you visit him online at TimShoemakerSmashedTomatoes.com

Please share StoryJumpers with a friend if you enjoyed this episode. StoryJumpers is still growing, and your positive review and 5-star rating would help.

The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

Feedback, or Show Ideas? Send an email to podcast@wearethebridge.org

Download The Bridge Mobile App to get the latest podcast episodes as soon as they are published!

A spy in the Sons of Liberty threatens to crush the patriot cause on the eve of war, but who will fire the first shot at Lexington and launch the American Revolution?

The Marquis de Lafayette commits his sword to fight as France seeks to secretly support the American cause with spies on both sides of the Atlantic. Following Bunker Hill, George Washington faces the impossible task of driving the British from Boston with an undisciplined army and no gunpowder or cannons.

As Congress debates Independence, Thomas Jefferson pens a Declaration—but it will never see the light of day if the vote isn’t unanimous. The Epic Order of the Seven animal team must assist the Founding Fathers with espionage and numerous miracles to win this war for American Independence while a new, evil enemy seeks to slaughter the patriots and their commander in the field.

But which will be the more dangerous—the enemy without or the enemy within?

Covering the events from March 1775 to July 1776, this second book in Jenny L. Cote’s Epic Revolutionary Saga tells of the incredible yet lesser-known struggles of the war before Independence.

Her award-winning book The Voice, the Revolution, and the Key is now available as an audiobook on Audible. The 25-hour masterpiece of Revolutionary adventure features the epic voice talent of Denny Brownlee - who performed 150 voices to bring the book to life!

She has been researching Patrick Henry and the Revolutionary War since 2007! She is passionate about this crucial period of history, and about her favorite Founding Father, Patrick Henry. Her heart's desire is for children to know the REAL history of America, including God's hand of favor every step of the way.

She is a Virginia native, who now lives with her family in Roswell, Georgia!

Jenny L. Cote is author of the five book Epic Revolutionary Saga and the Epic Order of the Seven Series! Learn more about the entire series at EpicOrderofTheSeven.net

Please share StoryJumpers with a friend if you enjoyed this episode. StoryJumpers is still growing, and your positive review and 5-star rating would help.

The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

Feedback, or Show Ideas? Send an email to podcast@wearethebridge.org

Download The Bridge Mobile App to get the latest podcast episodes as soon as they are published!