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

Early 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 who make internal revelations as well as strides in their worlds."
– Booklist

“More than a great tween mystery; it is a powerful narrative that illustrates how neurodiverse individuals navigate the challenges of everyday life. 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

“Hannah’s voice speaks directly to readers which helps to draw them into the book... The plot addresses the grief of suddenly losing a loved one in the form of a ghostly mystery. Sam loyally stands by Hannah even when she holds out hope for her father despite increasing evidence that he’s gone. This book should appeal to lovers of ghosts and small-town mysteries and I recommend you give it a shot.”
– YA Book Central

“Hannah is no ordinary sleuth and this mystery has so many layers to it. Her neurodivergent world touched me deeply and I would love to read another riveting detective story about this fantastic girl.”
– Therese Stanford, Bookseller, Oblong Books, Millerton, NY

“Hards gives Hannah a strong, upbeat voice that refuses to give up or give in. A smart reimagining of Hamlet - with a much lower body count!”
– Rosemary Kiladitis, School Library Journal Contributor & Community Library Manager, Queens Public Library, NY

“Hannah Edwards is the best book I’ve seen that authentically and comprehensively illustrates the experience of ADHD in girls, which presents itself differently from boys, and often goes undiagnosed.”
– Tori Kelley, Ph.D., President and Founder of Central Florida Mental Health

“I have seen many kids struggle in class as Hannah does in this story. And many of them do try to hide what is going on… Put this in the hands of students who may need to see someone who is dealing with similar issues in class and realize that they are not alone.”
– Suzanne Costner, School Library Journal Contributor & Library Media Specialist, Fairview Elementary School, Fairview TN

"The story is very intriguing and the personal issues that Hannah goes through in the book are very relatable, even to those that do not have a clinical diagnosis.”
– Gabriel Gresham, Program Specialist, St. Lucie County Public Library, Fort Pierce, FL

“What a creative way to combine Shakespeare, Nancy Drew, and neurodiversity all in the same book! I LOVED it and can't wait to see what Hannah Edwards does next!”
– Jill Kusel, Teacher, Christ Lutheran School, La Mesa, CA

"The book pulls you right in... I enjoyed reading the conversations between Hannah and her dad's ghost, and hearing the perspective of the victim in a way that you do not often see in mysteries. " 
—Jen Einoris, Youth Librarian Associate, McHenry Public Library, McHenry, IL