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The Children’s Book Review
Little Wade and Watchtower: Abigail and the Great Gang Trap
Written by Sean March
Age Range: 11+
Paperback: 382 pages
Publisher: Little Wade and Watchtower Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-7351433-0-9
What to expect: 19th Century New York City, Gangs, and Life Lessons
Debut author Sean March’s Little Wade and Watchtower is a dark, dangerous, and wholly exciting new series for middle grade readers. Set on the Lower East Side of New York City in 1899, it’s a wild ride of a book that has elements of steampunk, historical fiction, science, and the paranormal, and a bright and spunky girl as the leading protagonist.
Abigail is dealing with a recent string of difficult events—her mother has died, she moved from her beloved country home to the gritty city and her new best friend has just been kidnapped. To try and avoid the same fate, Abigail now has to disguise herself as a boy to get to school. On a night that Abigail finds herself walking home in the dark, a ghost boy named Little Wade and a mechanical man named Watchtower appear just in the nick of time to rescue Abigail from the treacherous Longshadow gang. Abigail wants to walk to school safely, so Little Wade and Watchtower help her start the Secret Passage of Hope and set about teaching her to trust her gut while they’re at it. However, there is something more sinister at play. Abigail uncovers a plot tied to her friend’s kidnapping and New York’s criminal underworld that puts Abigail’s and her father’s lives in danger.
Sean March’s descriptive language offers captivating visuals, sounds, and smells that pull readers directly into the story. The cast of well-developed characters feels both original and familiar—it’s hard not to be mesmerized by the unlikely ghost and mechanical man duo. Abigail, an avid reader of classic literature, shares many moments of sophisticated dialogue, which will surely be appreciated by precocious readers that will admire her deep thinking. When Abigail receives a warning that things are about to take a scary turn, readers who are paying attention will also heed this well-placed caution. Like the underground passageways that lay beneath New York City, the tale twists and turns with danger lurking on almost every page. Each chapter provides a puzzle piece, bringing the story together for a fulfilling ending while also leaving the reader wanting more. And there will be more—there is a second book in the works.
There’s a lot to enjoy here for kids who love to be both thrilled and chilled! Little Wade and Watchtower: Abigail and the Great Gang Trap is a solid, action-packed story that will have readers discovering that enemies can sometimes teach us very valuable life lessons.
Buy the Book
Order Here: www.littlewadeandwatchtower.com
About the Author
Sean March is the creator and author of Little Wade and Watchtower.
Born and raised in New York City, Sean attended Elementary and Middle School in Manhattan and spent his childhood on the streets of the Lower East Side. He can vividly recall a fateful night when, running home late from school, he was accosted by members of a local gang. Two mysterious strangers came to his aid, chased off the gang members, walked him home, and then bid him good night. Sean’s one regret was that, in all of the excitement, he completely forgot to ask his rescuers their names. This series is dedicated to Them, and to any child who is having a hard time and is seeking inspiration.
An avid reader of history and amateur scientist, Sean lives with his family, which includes two adorable pugs.
For more information, visit www.littlewadeandwatchtower.com
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