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The cover of Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway features Hannah peeking out from behind the side of a barn. On the barn wall is a Missing poster for Andrew Edwards “the Canola King” with an image of a man’s face. In the background is an aquifer.

Hardcover ISBN: 9781944020910
On Sale: September 10, 2024
$16.99 USD | 268 pages
Lexile: 750L | Fountas & Pinnell: W
Also available in Paperback and eBook

“Clever Heroine and Paranormal Intrigue.” - School Library Journal

Something's Rotten in Riverway!
Sleuth Hannah must talk to a ghost, team up with friends, and use her ADHD superpowers to solve the mystery. Take Nancy Drew, mix it with Aza from Turtles All the Way Down, and add a frog apocalypse!

This book is part of Fabled Films Press' reimagined classics collection that includes Pippa Park Raises Her Game.

Hannah Edwards has a lot on her mind.
For starters, her father—the Canola King—has been missing for months. And no one—not her distracted mother, her meddlesome guidance counselor, or her evil Uncle Fergus—seems to care. Luckily, she has her secret journal to keep her focused and her best friend Sam Castillo for support in solving the case.

So when Sam tells Hannah he thinks he saw her father’s ghost down at the old Riverway Mill, Hannah decides to take matters into her own hands. She soon learns that Uncle Fergus has a plan to steal the family farm, drain the river, and find a hidden treasure.

On the edge of going from being a GOOD KID to a BAD KID, Hannah stops pretending to pay attention to her endlessly boring middle school classes. With Sam, her secret journal, and eventually a whole lot of Riverway frogs, Hannah sets out to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance.

Hannah Edwards is a heartfelt story of a young neurodiverse girl with a whole lot of determination to do the right thing.

Trade Reviews for Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway

“Filled with twists and humor, this fresh take on a small-town mystery is perfect for readers who love clever heroines and paranormal intrigue.”
– School Library Journal

“A strong retelling that…captures the middle-grade spirit…this debut novel is perfect for fans of mysteries, ghost stories that feel rooted in the real world, and strong characters.”
– Booklist

Children with ADHD will find solace in Hannah's struggles and admire her coping mechanisms. At the same time, neurotypical readers will gain a deeper understanding of their neurodiverse peers while thoroughly enjoying the plot as it unravels.”
– The Children's Book Review

“Through depictions of Hannah’s skepticism and can-do attitude, debut author Hards introduces a heroine who handily propels this familiar yet exciting supernatural mystery.”
– Publishers Weekly

"A delightful middle grade novel whose ghost story pairs with a refreshing window into the lives of the neurodiverse."
– Foreword Reviews

"This book should appeal to lovers of ghosts and small-town mysteries and I recommend you give it a shot.”
– YA Book Central

Ashley Hards

Ashley Hards did not have the privilege of growing up in Riverway, the quirky setting of Hannah Edwards. Instead, she grew up in the city of Calgary, Canada.

Ashley was declared to be “gifted” at age 8 and was diagnosed with ADHD at age 22. When forced to sit still in class, she finds books and writing to be the most engaging, especially Shakespeare. She received both her BA and MA in English Literature from McGill University where she now teaches writing and continues her research on Shakespeare and ritual.

Always the adrenaline lover, she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and opera (hey, it’s exciting). Her weekends were spent driving across Alberta and hanging out at a ski hill near Pincher Creek. The vision for Riverway developed over many dark, stormy nights (without wifi or cell signal).

Like Hannah, she enjoys journaling. Unlike Hannah, she has not solved any mysteries (yet). This is her first book.