Books

The Wolves Are Watching

A fresh, compelling, and eerie exploration of small-town living, stolen children, and wolves that watch in the woods.

The night little Madison disappears from her crib, Luce sees a pair of eyes–two points of gold deep in the forest behind her house–and feels certain they belong to a wolf. Her town, Picnic, Illinois, is the kind of place where everyone knows one another and no one locks their doors. It’s not the kind of place where a toddler goes missing without a trace, where wolves lurk in the shadows.

In town, people are quick to blame Madison’s mom. But when Luce’s English teacher shares an original script about the disappearance of another little girl in Picnic back in 1870, Luce begins to notice similarities that she can’t ignore. Certain that something deeper is going on, Luce tracks the wolf she saw into the woods and uncovers the truth about her town: magical animal-women, who have remained hidden in shadows for centuries, have taken her cousin for their own purposes–and they have no intention of bringing her back.

A chilling mystery that weaves elements of magical realism, drama, and folklore into a story of one teen’s bravery as she confronts her town’s past and tries to save the future.

Praise for The Wolves Are Watching

“…an affecting tale about small-town secrets, wronged people, and the bravery of two girls bent on getting to the truth in order to save lives.”
–Kirkus

“Serving up dark, small-town history and ancient folkloric creatures, Lund capably blends past, present, and future in this ethereal tale.”
–Publisher’s Weekly

"This gripping and suspenseful story will keep teens engaged and eager to keep on reading...VERDICT Share this with all your fantasy readers."
–School Library Journal

The Sky Above Us

From the author of We Speak in Storms comes a compelling mystery about three friends searching for the truth in the aftermath of a plane crash.

The morning after their senior year beach party, Izzy, Cass, and Janie are woken by a thundering overhead. Then they and their classmates watch in shock as a plane crashes into the water. When the passengers are finally recovered, they are identified as Izzy’s twin brother, Israel, Cass’s ex-boyfriend, Shane, and Janie’s best friend, Nate. But Izzy can feel when her brother is in pain, and she knows he’s not really dead. So she, Cass, and Janie set out to discover what actually happened that day–and why the boys were on the plane.

Told in alternating timelines and points of view, this powerful and captivating novel follows the three boys in the weeks leading up to that fateful flight, and the girls they left behind as they try to piece together the truth about the boys they loved and thought they knew. A spellbinding story about the ripple effects of tragedy, the questions we leave unanswered, and the enduring power of friendship.

Praise for THE SKY ABOVE US

“A compelling, well-voiced look at how teenagers deal with tragedy.” -School Library Journal

“Achingly human with hints of magic, this tale of loss in its many forms builds a compelling mystery.” -Booklist

”Lund proves adept at smoothly navigating a complicated plot, building and holding suspense, and creating easily relatable, multidimensional characters.” -Publishers Weekly

“Lund is especially deft here at crafting and honoring differing perspectives around shared events, remaining keenly aware of the ways in which vulnerabilities and insecurities shade an experience with hues specific to that person . . . . This is a bruising look at loss from many angles, and it will leave readers wondering how their conceptions of their own truths and perceptions of others lead to pain and heartbreak.” -BCCB

“Powerfully crafted and captivating... A deftly written and simply spellbinding story about the ripple effects of tragedy, the questions we leave unanswered, and the enduring power of friendship.” -Midwest Book Review

We Speak in storms

Illinois Reads 2020 Selection

A powerful and haunting debut novel about friendship, acceptance, and learning to let go as the balance between the living and the dead is upended, perfect for fans of We Were Liars.

It’s been more than fifty years since a tornado tore through a drive-in movie theater in tiny Mercer, Illinois, leaving dozens of teens — a whole generation of Mercerites — dead in its wake. So when another tornado touches down in the exact same spot on the anniversary of this small-town tragedy, the town is shaken. For Brenna Ortiz, Joshua Calloway, and Callie Keller, the apprehension is more than just a feeling. Though they seem to share nothing more than a struggle to belong, the teens’ paths continue to intersect, bringing them together when they least expect it, and perhaps, when they need it most. Both the living and the dead have secrets and unresolved problems, but they may be able to find peace and move forward–if only they work together.

A beautifully told, haunting yet hopeful novel about pushing past the pain, facing the world, and finding yourself.

Praise for We Speak in Storms

“Through interconnected stories of pain and courage, Lund captures the pathos and resilience of a town still working through trauma in this lyrical ghost story.” -Publishers Weekly

“A lingering, quietly paced story about the echoes of trauma and the persistence of hope.” -Booklist

“…Readers will be rewarded with fully realized characters, an empowering message, and a highly satisfying conclusion…This sophisticated ghost story is recommended, especially where novels about grief are needed.” -School Library Journal

“…This suspenseful novel, beginning with a gripping tornado scene, immediately grabs the reader’s attention and keeps them in suspense with intriguing images of vintage cars and storm spirits. The teens in the story, Brenna, Joshua, and Callie face similar issues as today’s young people: struggling to belong, sexual identity, illness afflicting a relative or loved one. Both boys and girls will find this book compelling and will be eager to find out what happens next. Recommended.” -School Library Connection