SPLASH

INTO SUMMER...

Eleven-year-old Anthoni has always wanted a True Blue Friend, and this summer at Thunder Lake, she has a foolproof checklist for finding one. But as she grows entangled in rumors about the Boulay Mermaid, Anthoni must decide if she’ll “stick to the plan,” like always, or dive into a summer full of extraordinary possibilities.

A summer romp full of mystery, new friends, and maybe a mermaid!

MAYBE A MERMAID ACTION STEPS:
Maybe a Mermaid cover art

behind the scenes

I made up everything that happens in Maybe a Mermaid, but some things are based on real life…

Historical Showboat Lounge photo

THE SHOWBOAT

I grew up near a famous resort with a boat-shaped building: The Showboat Lounge. Vaudeville actors and movie stars used to stay and perform here.

Josie's dad waterskiing photo

WATERSKIING

Anthoni’s mom can ski like a superhero. Guess what? So can my dad! As a kid, he was on the Plum Ski-ters water ski team (“skeeters” = mosquitoes in Wisconsin)

Josie's brother on a saucer photo

THE SAUCER

Wondering what a saucer looks like in real life? It’s a flat, round, piece of wood you can lay, kneel, or stand on. My brother used to show off and do 360s.

Stack of Josie's comics

THE X-MEN

Like Anthoni, I love X-Men too. My favorite characters are Magneto, Rogue, and Wolverine. But my latest comic-book obsession is Ms. Marvel!

Photo of young Josie at writing desk

my story

I wrote my first songs and stories at a tiny yellow desk with a pink chair. I wrote book after book, stapling together pages from old invoice pads or receipt books that my dad would bring home from work. I illustrated my books. I gave them away as gifts. There was no doubt in my mind that when I grew up, I would have a house filled with books and I would write and sing all day.

And guess what? It’s not so far from the truth!

Today, I write fiction for kids, teach one-on-one music lessons, give school presentations, and help guide elementary school students through the process of composing their own songs, stories, and poetry. It’s pretty much the best job in the universe!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS [coming soon!]

news

Barbara's Bookstore Video

Barbara’s Bookstore Video

This fall, I was lucky enough to have dinner with booksellers and other children’s book advocates in Chicago. After dinner, a lovely woman named Rose set up a camera and
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Bookmail from Kids

Bookmail from Kids!

I had so much fun on World Read Aloud Day this year. Thanks to the magic of technology, I was able to visit six schools in TX, CT, MA, and
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2019 Debut Author Interview logo

2019 Debut Author Interview

Thanks to Jessica at Just Another Teen Reading Books for posting my very first blog interview about Maybe a Mermaid! She asked all the good questions like, “Why Middle Grade?” and “Do
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bee in touch

Bee logo
  • For review copies, school visits, or other event requests, please contact Macmillan Children’s Publicity: childrens.publicity(at)macmillanusa.com
  • For rights inquiries, please contact John Cusick at Folio Literary: john(at)foliolit.com

For everything else, please drop me a line: hello(at)josephinecameron.com

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