When paramedics find a malnourished six-year-old boy near a burning car that holds a dead woman, they wonder who he is—and why he won't speak. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Mountain Between Us comes a story of self-discovery, healing, and hope. On a stifling summer day, an old Chevy Impala ignored the warning signals and was annihilated by the oncoming train. What no one realized until much later was that the driver had paused just before entering the tracks and kicked a small boy out of the car. A small boy with broken glasses who is clutching a notebook with all his might . . . but who never speaks. Chase Walker was one of the lucky ones. He was in foster care as a child, but he finally ended up with a family who loved him and cared for him. Now, as a journalist for the local paper, he’s moved on and put the past behind him. But when he’s assigned the story of this young boy, painful, haunting questions about his own childhood begin to rise to the surface. And as Chase Walker discovers, learning the truth about who you are can be as elusive—and as magical—as chasing fireflies on a summer night. “Martin understands the power of story and he uses it to alter the souls and lives of both his characters and his readers . . .” —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author Full-length emotive Southern fiction Bonus excerpt from The Water Keeper Includes discussion questions for book clubs Also by Charles Martin: The Water Keeper, The Mountain Between Us, Send Down the Rain, and When Crickets Cry

The first time I met Oliver Tanner he was five years old. I was four. That day he was entrusted to my keep.He was as large and loud as a church mouse. That day I taught him how fireflies were magic with the persistence of a person. That's what I loved about them. No matter how far they strayed, they remembered where they came from and who their family was. After high school, he joined the army and left Knox Ridge.Years later, the town had changed.My dreams were shattered. We had nothing left.I had forgotten all about the magic of the fireflies.Until he came back to town. Everything about him was comforting. He brought some light to my darkness, But I knew the light could only last for so long. Fireflies only stay for the summer.He had outgrown our small town. It was time for me to stop chasing fireflies.

An informative, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated look at the beloved firefly For centuries, the beauty of fireflies has evoked wonder and delight. Yet for most of us, fireflies remain shrouded in mystery: How do fireflies make their light? What are they saying with their flashing? And what do fireflies look for in a mate? In Silent Sparks, noted biologist and firefly expert Sara Lewis dives into the fascinating world of fireflies and reveals the most up-to-date discoveries about these beloved insects. From the meadows of New England and the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, to the rivers of Japan and mangrove forests of Malaysia, this beautifully illustrated and accessible book uncovers the remarkable, dramatic stories of birth, courtship, romance, sex, deceit, poison, and death among fireflies. The nearly two thousand species of fireflies worldwide have evolved in different ways—and while most mate through the aerial language of blinking lights, not all do. Lewis introduces us to fireflies that don't light up at all, relying on wind-borne perfumes to find mates, and we encounter glow-worm fireflies, whose plump, wingless females never fly. We go behind the scenes to meet inquisitive scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding fireflies, and we learn about various modern threats including light pollution and habitat destruction. In the last section of the book, Lewis provides a field guide for North American fireflies, enabling us to identify them in our own backyards and neighborhoods. This concise, handy guide includes distinguishing features, habits, and range maps for the most commonly encountered fireflies, as well as a gear list. A passionate exploration of one of the world's most charismatic and admired insects, Silent Sparks will inspire us to reconnect with the natural world.

When Rainey Collins meets Liam, a rumored delinquent with a dangerously dysfunctional family, she learns that people shouldn't be judged by their relatives, or by the price tag on their clothes.

Looking for a little “light” reading with life-changing truth and ticklish humor? This book is for you. Popular author and speaker Patsy Clairmont weaves stories and scripture between lasers, lighthouses, and lamps to illuminate the heart and enliven the spirit. Whether you’re bored with the routine, struggling through a crisis, or just ready for a good word, Patsy meets you there with vulnerability, inspiration, and an infectious grin. As a daily devotional or weekend read, Catching Fireflies will light up your day even as it brightens your smile.

Up-close and uniquely personal, like never seen before, this exquisite fine art book showcases the glowing beauty of fireflies, as seen through the lens of the award-winning nature photographer, Radim Schreiber, who spent nine years creating this stunning body of work.This is a collection of hauntingly beautiful photographic portraits of fireflies, lightening bugs, glow worms, and other bioluminescent creatures in their natural environment captured in Iowa, the Smoky Mountains National Park, and other locations around the United States.Firefly Experience takes the viewer into mysterious realms, offering marvelous photography on every page. The images are accompanied with informative detail and personal anecdotes.Discover more atwww.FireflyExperience.org

Toshio takes his sister, Miko, through the woods to the river, where they join other children in capturing fireflies and placing them in lanterns.