A Whimsical Adventure with Heartfelt Lessons

Set in the 1950s, this story brilliantly portrays the simple yet profound experiences of childhood. It entertains much like the movie “Christmas Story.” –Victor Hess, Award-winning author of the Searching for Family Series

Izzy is a great kid who will warm your heart whether you are young, or not so young.–Mary Behan, Award-winning author of Abbey Girls, A Measured Thread and Finding Isobel.

SUMMER 1957: Twelve-year-old Izzy, long on hope and short on cash, claws golden nuggets from the waters of a secret spring. His co-discoverer Collum swears him to secrecy. Izzy hopes to be a regular kid, not just the class shrimp. Half his brain teems with schemes to fit in with his peers, while the other half struggles to keep his family from falling apart. 

Mom and Dad are at odds, Izzy helpless to save their marriage. The Russians launch the first artificial satellite, blighting Izzy’s hopes of space-age glory. Bullying Lyle dashes Izzy’s self-image; breathtaking Irma seems oblivious to his wistful ardor; and Grandpa, who taught him to be brave, wastes away in a hospital room.

Money could ease these woes—but Izzy has pledged silence about the gold in the hidden spring. Deep in dilemmas, how can Izzy hold on to hope?

A FUNNY, SAD, UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY, ROOTED IN THE AUTHOR’S OWN BOYHOOD

. . . A poignant and thought-provoking middle-grade read that offers deep insights into the human experience, the power of resilience, and the importance of relationships and personal growth. 

––The Prairies Book Review

. . . sparkles with possibility. . . . 

. . . Izzy Strikes Gold! reveals and defines more kinds of riches than young readers (and many an adult) might initially anticipate. This makes for a delightful journey, indeed. 

—Midwest Book Review