Writing any book is a joy and a privilege, but as a mom who’s witnessed the power of a good story to enliven kids’ imaginations, this one is close to my heart. I starting writing when COVID struck, at a time when I felt desperate to cling to glimmers of hope — to a story with echoes of the Gospel — in the midst of darkness. Now available for preorder, from Amazon and other sites. To be released May 10, 2022. . .

An Adventure Novel for Middle-Grade Readers Steeped in Magic, Mystery, and Glimmers of Hope―Book 1 in the Dream Keeper Saga

Even though she’s only 12 years old, Lily McKinley already feels the weight of the world’s brokenness. She’s seen it in her mother’s exhaustion, her grandmother’s illness, and the cruelty of Adam, the bully at her school. But most tragically, she experienced it two months ago when her father died in a terrible accident. 

As an artistic daydreamer, Lily has a brilliant imagination to help her cope, but that imagination often gets her into trouble. One day, it transports her to a fantasy world called the Somnium Realm, where her father’s secret history embroils her in an epic quest. With the help of a dragon guide named Cedric, Lily battles evil shrouds, harpies, and other creatures to find her way through grief, rescue the world from evil, and discover the power of redemption. 

This thrilling novel by Kathryn Butler mixes fantasy with Christian themes, taking middle school readers on a quest through castles, forests, and caverns to help a young girl find hope and usher in restoration.

• Christian Themes: This exciting story invites readers into deep conversations about the gospel and theological issues including faith, mourning, sacrifice, salvation, and redemption
• Ideal for Middle-Grade Readers and Families: Includes kids’ favorite fantasy and adventure elements with imaginative new characters and settings they’ll love