Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade


 
 
 
 Contents
 Praise for Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade
 Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade
 Copyright © 2023 Kimberly Behre Kenna. All rights reserved.
 Dedication 
 Quote 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 Epilogue
 Author’s Note
 Acknowledgements
 Resources
 Book Club Questions
 
 
 Praise for Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade
 “Warning: Artemis Sparke is pure energy! Equal parts ecologist, artist, scientist and historian, Art had me riding her tailwind on her mission to protect the delicate salt marsh of Long Island Sound. And, oh my, the stakes are high—environmentally and personally! Kenna’s well-crafted debut is a timely gift.” 
 - Leslie Connor, National Book Award finalist and author of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle and Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? 
 “Featuring a strong and compassionate character, Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade is an engaging story about friendship, protecting nature, and speaking up for what’s right even when it feels like no one will listen. Some helpful ghosts add layers of humor and mystery to this heartfelt novel.” 
 - Lynne Kelly, author of Song for a Whale 
 “Kimberly Behre Kenna has written a terrific middle-grade novel that will inspire readers of all ages… This entertaining page-turner has unforgettable characters, family drama, ghosts and secrets, surprises and suspense, and, without being pedantic, illuminates the urgency of battling climate change. The world needs more role models like Artemis Sparke.”
 - Pamela Gray, screenwriter, Conviction, Music of the Heart, 
 A Walk on the Moon
 “A timely theme, nuanced characters, a story brushed with a touch of magic. Kids will love following the lead of environmentalist, Artemis, as this book is rich with opportunities for science investigations and experiments.” 
 - Carol Wallach, CT recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching 
 “Birds love Artemis Sparke. Trees love her. Readers, too, will be captivated by this fiery, quirky, and determined twelve-year-old protector of salt marshes. Kimberly Behre Kenna’s debut novel is lively, magical, and wise. An essential read for these times when the earth is in such urgent need of care and we are in such urgent need of hope.” 
 - Ona Gritz, author of August or Forever 
 “A lovely tale full of pluck, passion, perseverance, and a dash of enchantment. A heartfelt adventure with a courageous young heroine determined to save her beloved salt marsh against daunting odds.” 
 - Sandra Waugh, author of Lark Rising and The Adventures of the Flash Gang series 
 “Tapping into guidance from the marshland creatures—as well as some ghostly advisors with powerful wisdom to share—Artemis connects a whole team of activists to help fight a major decision. Artemis Sparke’s compassion for others, her environmental concerns, her creative activism, and her powerful voice, will surely spark inspiration to work for change. Kimberly Behre Kenna has written a page-turning guidebook for the next generation of readers who are inheriting difficult environmental problems, but who—as this book reminds us—have the potential to 
 Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade
 Kimberly Behre Kenna
 
 Fitzroy Books
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2023 Kimberly Behre Kenna. All rights reserved.
 Published by Fitzroy Books
 An imprint of
 
 
 
 
 
 Regal House Publishing, LLC
 Raleigh, NC 27605
 All rights reserved
 https://fitzroybooks.com
 Printed in the United States of America
 ISBN -13 (paperback): 9781646033133
 ISBN -13 (epub): 9781646033140
 Library of Congress Control Number: 2022935695
 All efforts were made to determine the copyright holders and obtain their permissions in any circumstance where copyrighted material was used. The publisher apologizes if any errors were made during this process, or if any omissions occurred. If noted, please contact the publisher and all efforts will be made to incorporate permissions in future editions.
 Cover images and design © by C. B. Royal
 Author photo © by Ashley Abel Photography
 Regal House Publishing, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 https://regalhousepublishing.com
 The following is a work of fiction created by the author. All names, individuals, characters, places, items, brands, events, etc. were either the product of the author or were used fictitiously. Any name, place, event, person, brand, or item, current or past, is entirely coincidental.
 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, 
 Dedication 
 For you, Frankie, always and forever.
 
 
 Quote 
 The other creatures with which we share this world have their rights too, but not speaking our language, they have no voice, no vote; it is our moral duty to take care of them. 
 —Roger Tory Peterson
 
 
 1
 Artemis Sparke stood at the tippy-top of Fiddlers Creek trail, scanning the area with her binoculars. The entire salt marsh spread out wide below her. What used to look like a brushed green carpet last month was now a patchy quilt of dry spots and droopy grasses. It was a June that resembled winter, all dreary and brown. Up until then, this Long Island Sound salt marsh behaved in predictable, quantifiable ways. Art’s field notebook entries proved it.
 She pointed her binoculars to the sky. “RT? You up there?” Nothing but a few blotches of clouds. Art used her T-shirt to clear the lenses and looked again. She elbowed her friend. “Do you see him anywhere, Warren?”
 “Nope,” he said, shielding his eyes from the sun. 
 Usually, RT circled around when Art visited, but that day she didn’t spot him. Art refocused the binoculars and scanned again. Her hands trembled, and her vision blurred.