The Cayuga Island Kids series features a diverse group of big-hearted friends who work together to solve mysteries, have adventures, and organize community projects. They are fact detectives who think, brainstorm, research, and collaborate to uncover answers and puzzle out solutions. Above all, they are kind, helpful, smart, and resourceful kids who have lots of fun together.
These chapter books are perfect for 7- to 10-year-olds in 1st through 4th grade.
“Any book that begins with a map of an island is my kind of story. Enliven that setting with a diverse group of characters who are consistently kind—and bursting with curiosity—and you’ve got all the elements of a series that is alive with adventure, friendship, and mystery.”
~ James Preller, author of the Jigsaw Jones mystery series
Book 1: The Mystery of the Barking Branches and the Sunken Ship
This entertaining mystery-history adventure is based on real events surrounding one of the biggest puzzles of the Great Lakes! The Cayuga Island Kids set off on a hunt for a certain kind of tree and instead unearth a cannonball thought to be from a treasure ship built right on their island that sank in 1679 and was never recovered. As they hunt for clues and follow leads, they discover that the island they live on is home to a whole lot of history. And, it turns out, a whole lot of mystery, too. We all have history in our own backyards, just waiting to be discovered by inquisitive, adventurous, and fun-loving fact detectives!
Book 2: The Adventure of the Big Fish By the Small Creek
Moving from knowing something has to be done to getting it done takes determination, teamwork, and sometimes, looking in a new direction. In this award-winning second book in the series, the Cayuga Island Kids rescue a mallard caught in the plastic rings from six-pack of cans. Moments later, a girl on a bike carelessly tosses a plastic bottle in the creek. That’s when they decide it’s time for action. How the Cayuga Island Kids go from fishing a plastic bottle out of the creek to bringing the community together to build a recycling bin big enough to hold plenty of plastic makes for a lively adventure. Young readers will be entertained as they come to realize the importance of brainstorming ideas, teamwork, the value of community effort, recycling, and the promise of new friendships. Best of all, readers will cheer on the Cayuga Island Kids as they come to realize that, although we are each just one person, together we can make a BIG difference.
Book 3: The Case of the Messy Message and the Missing Facts
It’s fall as Book 3 of the Cayuga Island Kids chapter book series opens. Julian explores food science as he experiments with recipes for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Being a cookie sampler takes Mac’s mind off his troubles with fractions. Yoko practices for the school play tryouts, and Maya helps Ms. Choi with the Make-and-Take-Club. Lacey, of course, is searching for the next mystery to solve. And then two of Ms. Choi’s glitter pens go missing. The clues and evidence point to a suspect, but are the Cayuga Island Kids jumping to conclusions? When a classmate jumps to conclusions and shares false information about Julian’s cookies, the kids join forces to set the facts straight. And while researching explorers for a school project, the kids uncover misinformation that blurs the truth, and makes the reasons for being a fact detective crystal clear. Sorting through clues and evidence—just like research—means making sure you have all the facts, and not just a fraction of the truth. Young readers will cheer for the Cayuga Island Kids as they embark on this adventure involving misinformation, faulty assumptions, flour bugs, glitter pens, and chocolate chip cookies.
Click here to download Educator Guides and Activity Kits!
Shakespeare's Goddess: The Divine Feminine on the English Stage
$19.95 × 1 
Those Fantastic Lives
$16.95 × 1 
Explore Canalside and the Erie Canal
$4.50 × 1 
The F Words
$15.95 × 1 
Elinormal
$13.95 × 1 
Nickie Whitney –
Moms/Dads/Grandparents/Teachers/Humans everywhere – if you haven’t ordered this book yet, I encourage you to take a moment to do so. This is a book that needs to be in every daycare and elementary school and in every household with children, no joke. It’s incredibly impactful in supporting separation anxiety (for both kiddos and parents!). Those who truly know my kids know how each uniquely struggles with this. We’ve tried many books over the years (another favorite is The Invisible String if you are really looking build up your library), but their connection with the moon and its meaning in this book is amazing. I deeply mean it when I say it’s phenomenal and will help create confidence in connection even when we can’t be physically together.
Pages.and.Pothos –
“As a mother, there is not much you can relate to more than the thought of your kids growing up and leaving the nest, and mother chickadee is no different. This is the age old story of children growing up and moving away, but nightly looking at the moon to remember home. This tale was truly brought to life with the watercolor illustrations that seemed to capture every feeling of the story. While I felt as though the story itself is one that has been told in many forms for generations, The Chickadees and the Moon Above was a cozy feel good book for a nice winter day with my daughter.
Thank you to Independent Publishers Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review”
Mary A –
“Having read hundreds of children’s books over the years, I must say I was confused y this storyline. Even though it’s supposed to be about the little birdies leaving the nest, that’s all there is. Don’t believe many children would connect to this family story. The focus seems to be about birdies leaving so they could be their best. Kids this young should have stories lighthearted and fun.
I received an advanced reader copy for free from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.”
A Ferri –
What a sweet cute story! The watercolor drawings are beautiful and calming. This is the perfect book to help your little ones relax. Thank you Independent Publishers Group via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
EmMee –
“Thanks to Netgalley and Independent Publishers Group, CrissCross AppleSauce for a free digital copy.
A sweet little story about a mother’s love and encouragement to her children to be the best they can me. A simple but straightforward message.”
Laurie Seier –
Beautiful story for a young child or adult from a mother. After reading it, I could think of many reasons or occasions someone would purchase this book. I will read it to my grandchildren and give it to one of my adult children if they leave the area, graduate and move, etc.
Diane DiStefano –
The Chickadees and the Moon Above reminds the reader of a parent’s love and sacrifice. For parents know if they do their job well, they’ll lose their babies to the world where new dreams will be pursued and realized. Sara Simon does a beautiful job of conveying the ‘forever connection’ of family…regardless of where life’s journey takes them…such a comforting theme.
Each page of this book is worthy of framing. The illustrations show off Simon’s unique illustration style and talent. I found myself studying and admiring each picture.
This will be THE book children and parents remember!
Ann Ferri –
What a sweet cute story! The watercolor drawings are beautiful and calming. This is the perfect book to help your little ones relax. Thank you Independent Publishers Group via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rachael Burow –
Both myself and my kids loved this book and the illustrations! Such a sweet story with incredible meaning. ?❤️
R. Hare –
Met this author and she signed her book for my daughter! Such a kind and talented woman, the author has illustrated a beautiful book, that, as a parent of two college students, touches my heart.
Tina Loves to Read –
This is a children’s book that I read to my twin boys. This book was a cute sweet story, and I loved it so much. I liked the pictures, and the pictures are like water coloring pictures. The message in this book was so great. This book is all about a mother chickadees teaches her kids that she will always loved them no matter where they are. I receive an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
cz818 –
Heartwarming story and beautiful artwork
Jan Tangen –
A softly beautiful and well illustrated story that shows what every mother wants her children to know–that while she will always love them, she must let them go to be who they are meant to be. I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Independent Publishers Group/CrissCross AppleSauce via NetGalley. Thank you!
Roseann Mohney –
The Chickadees and the Moon above is a wonderful book depicting a Mother’s love for her precious little ones. The reassurances the Momma gives to her littles is so very pertinent in the current state of our world. Children can be reminded that they are forever connected to their family no matter how far away they are when grown and on their own. The author’s’ depiction of the moon above is such an amazing reminder of a comforting way to remember that love and connection.
The illustrations are amazingly beautiful and have been directly done by the talented author and artist,
Truly a great read for Moms and the children they love.
Erinn Blaser –
Have you ever read a book that just stayed with you? A book that you measure all other books against and see if they stand up? This is that book. I love children’s books, I grew up on them and read them now to my own children. When I read The Chickadees and The Moon Above to my littles they sat quietly and intently listened to ever word (this doesn’t always happen) and they have continued to ask for this book weekly in our nightly reading rotation. The illustrations are beyond beautiful, so much so you’ll want to pull pages and frame them. I can not recommend this book enough for everyone young or old. It can be enjoyed by anyone!
JTan –
“A softly beautiful and well illustrated story that shows what every mother wants her children to know–that while she will always love them, she must let them go to be who they are meant to be.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Independent Publishers Group/CrissCross AppleSauce via NetGalley. Thank you!”
Jennifer –
A timeless story of a parent’s love. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful, and the story is touching with a heartfelt message. It’s perfect for snuggling up with your little one before bed. Highly recommend!
Brett Axel –
The story is so sweet and heart warming, the lovely art perfectly compliments the story
BonnieD –
“This is a sweet children’s book about a mother Chickadee and her three chicks. The message is simply about a mother’s love, and how your mother will always love you no matter where you are.
The illustrations are well done in watercolor. I especially enjoyed the ones of the night sky.
I received a free copy of this book via City of Light publishing. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.”
TinaLovesToRead –
This is a children’s book that I read to my twin boys. This book was a cute sweet story, and I loved it so much. I liked the pictures, and the pictures are like water coloring pictures. The message in this book was so great. This book is all about a mother chickadees teaches her kids that she will always loved them no matter where they are. I receive an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
Ann Rother-Lloyd –
This has to be the sweetest book I’ve ever gotten for my grandchildren! They love having me read it to them over and over. My granddaughter is 5 and she took it to school the day they had to bring their favorite book to school.
Brittany Jurewicz –
Made my mother cry, it was beautiful. Perfect for any mother and mother to be.
Maj0421 –
Love this book!! What beautiful illustrations and story. This makes for a great gift!