A Seal. A Circle of Friends. A Special Kind of Magic.

Twelve-year-old Ellie moves to her grandmother’s Maine homestead and uncovers unexpected truths about her family, her coastal community, and the natural world around her. In a quiet town wary of change, she finds her voice as a young climate activist—guided by new friends, a mysterious seal, and the enduring spirit of her grandmother. Set along the wild Atlantic coast, The Secret of the Catapus is a coming-of-age story that blends ecological urgency with heart, humor, and a touch of magic.

For Parents, Teachers, and Young Eco-Warriors

If you’re looking for middle-grade books about climate change, children’s stories rooted in the Maine coast, or novels for readers of all ages that explore friendship, marine life, and environmental action—The Secret of the Catapus delivers.

Themes of grief, courage, identity, and community resilience unfold in a vivid and realistic narrative. A must-read for fans of Hoot by Carl Hiaasen and for anyone—young or grown—who loves the sea and believes in protecting what matters.

Robin Elsbeth Jenkins
Softcover: 978-1-961905-62-7 | $12.95
E-book: 978-1-961905-63-4 | $2.99
September 2025 | 202 pages | Ages 8-12

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Retailers and schools, bring our transformative stories to your community. Wholesale inquiries welcome via our Contact page. Schools receive a 10% discount on all purchases.

12 Willows titles can also be purchased from all major bookseller platforms.

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“Beautifully written, with a vivid sense of place that will connect readers with nature and make the environmental crisis real and personal. Engaging characters and human warmth demonstrate that individuals can be part of creating solutions to the threats we all face. Accessible, readable adventure with a true green heart.”
—Nicola Davies, author of The Song That Sings Us

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“Ellie is a young climate warrior with such a good heart! Descriptions of the Maine coast and its inhabitants, rich intergenerational backstory, and a touch of magical realism have strong literary qualities that enrich the narrative..”
—Kate Risse, author of Inland

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“Full of good-hearted humor, compelling issues, lovable characters, friendship, and hope, The Secret of the Catapus will resonate long after the last page is read.“
—Kristine Bondeson, Echoes Magazine, columnist

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“Thank you for writing this book! I am so glad an author has finally published a story about environmental activism so true to the experience of a young person!“
—Thea, 15-year-old environmental activist and Citizen’s Climate Lobby volunteer

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“The Secret of the Catapus is an extraordinary story of love: for the natural world, for standing up for what is right, and for carrying forward a grandparent’s legacy. Ellie is a force, and the town of Whitneyport hums with Down East traditions as it confronts our desperate need for greater ecological responsibility. You’ll have to listen to these whip-smart kids, and you won’t want to leave these waters.”
—Gregory Brown, author of The Lowering Days