Wisconsin Author, Lorisa Wiedenhelt, will be here to tell you about her new book: Charly’s Volcano.

Twelve-year-old Charly wishes life could stay the same forever. Last year, she and her best friends were inseparable, spending every free moment together. But seventh grade changes everything. Wyatt joins the basketball team, and June becomes a cheerleader. Suddenly, Charly feels left behind and lonely while her best friends make new connections.

As friendships shift, bullies strike, and the grief of losing her parents still lingers in her heart, Charly begins to feel a volcano of anger and sadness growing inside her. With the help of her wise granny, her fun-loving uncle, and a caring school counselor, Charly must learn that growing up means facing change instead of fighting it.

With a background in Special Education, Lorisa D. Wiedenheft is now pursuing her dream career of being a children’s author. Her middle grade verse novel, The Oasis, won a silver medal from The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. She also has two poetry collections, Love Complications and Reflections, and her poetry has been featured in Creative Wisconsin, Bramble, Gilded Weathervane, and Remington Review. 

Lorisa enjoys matcha lattes, supporting the Milwaukee Bucks, and going to the beach. When not writing, she’s either curled up with a book, working on an embroidery project, or rewatching Gilmore Girls. Hailing from the Appalachian Mountains, she now lives in Wauwatosa, WI with her husband, two boys, and sweet dog Olaf.