The SideRoad Kids Book 2: A Summer of Discovery takes place throughout the summer of 1958 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Readers familiar with The SideRoad Kids: Tales from Chippewa County will be reacquainted with their favorite twelve-year-old characters and their discoveries. Blew learns who his father was. Flint discovers why Uncle Leo is mean. Shirley shares her fears with Katie. Elizabeth has a change of heart towards her step-brother, Ronnie. Squeaky falls in love. Fenders joins the Army. Candy makes Flint a promise she may not keep. Johnny's devotion to Katie increases, much to her delight or dismay. The SideRoad Kids have fun, but they also tackle serious issues and learn that adults do not always tell the truth. "Kennedy's prose deftly straddles that age where kids are discovering things about the world. The SideRoad crew learns about all the things that are part of what 'being a grownup' is about, and Kennedy shares these stories in a way that kids and the adults they've now become can connect with." --Brad Gischia, U.P. Book Review " The SideRoad Kids Book 2 is an engaging read that includes details that harken back to a life that included campfires, riding bikes or horses, working hard, girls baking cakes and people listening to Roy Rogers's songs. I highly recommend this as a teen, parent and grandparent read-together to spark family memory discussions." --Carolyn Wilhelm, Midwest Book Review " "Once again, Kennedy whisks us into the rural past of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Each evocative story, complete in itself, is also linked to the whole through beautiful prose and memorable characters. The stories run from heartrending to hilarious. I felt as if I were visiting my own childhood - the secrets, joys, mysteries and problems." --Sue Harrison, national bestselling author of The Midwife's Touch Learn more at AuthorSharonKennedy.com From Modern History Press "Once again, Kennedy whisks us into the rural past of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Each evocative story, complete in itself, is also linked to the whole through beautiful prose and memorable characters. Kennedy's deft artistry forges visceral and spiritual connections that define community. The stories run from heart-rending to hilarious. I felt as if I were visiting my own childhood-the secrets, joys, mysteries, and problems. The entire book stands as a celebration of victories despite brokenness, love despite rejection. Book 2 deserves high praise and elevates the author to a most honored place among Michigan writers." -Sue Harrison, national bestselling author of The Midwife's Touch "Sharon Kennedy gives us a peek into life in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the 1950s. It was a simpler, less hectic time when kids like Katie, Blew, Squeaky, and Daisy grew up on farms instead of high rises and used their imagination instead of fancy gadgets to make their own fun. An entertaining read for youngsters. And parents, you might enjoy a nostalgic flashback as well. I know I did." -Allia Zobel-Nolan, author of Cat Confessions "The stories in The SideRoad Kids are often humorous. However, underlying them is a sensitive awareness that being a kid, rural or urban, then or now, is not easy. This is an enjoyable read that will enlighten today's kids about the past and rekindle memories for readers who grew up in the late 1950s." -Jon Stott, author of Paul Bunyan in Michigan "Over the years, I've read many of Sharon Kennedy's stories. She's an amazing writer who draws you into the lives of her characters and keeps everything relatable. Readers can easily recall similar experiences. She makes you laugh, makes you think, and makes you want to keep reading. " The SideRoad Kids is an entertaining book about a group of children growing up in Northern Michigan." -Kortny Hahn, Senior Staff Writer, Cheboygan Daily Tribune "Sharon's stories capture the essence of childhood and growing up in a small community. The antics of The SideRoad Kids will keep you entertained and take you back to a simpler time. Some of the stories were published in our magazine and were well received by adult readers." -Renee Glass, Senior Production Artist, Mackinac Journal "Remember or want to know about the 1950s when girls were playing old maid card games and dolls, disobedient kids were paddled at school and wore dunce caps? Boys were playing with toy guns, dump trucks, plastic cowboys, and catching fish. Country kids were biking for miles, playing in the haymow, bringing cows home for milking, and everyone was playing together. Moms were baking cookies, staying home, and lunches could be served outside in pails. In this story, many children face hardships of life while helping each other out-it is realistic fiction. Because they live by Lake Superior in Michigan, tales of ships and sailors are part of the learning at school. Life was exciting every day. Imagination was the most important part of childhood."-Carolyn Wilhelm, Midwest Book Review Sharon M. Kennedy