Ten-year-old April Ellis is spending a week of her summer in Collins with relatives she hardly knows. Between eccentric characters, fried chicken lessons, and run-ins with the neighborhood troublemakers, April has plenty to navigate. But the hardest challenge of all? Facing the dark—and the fears that come with growing up.

Full of humor, heart, and food you can almost taste, How to Fry Chicken & Ditch the Nightlight explores how a girl far from home discovers belonging, bravery, and the truth that there is nothing in the dark that is not there in the light.

“How to Fry Chicken & Ditch the Nightlight is a true gem, bridging generations with ease. For younger readers, it carries the charm and simplicity of Little House on the Prairie, while, for adults, it stirs a comforting sense of nostalgia. Heartfelt and uplifting, this feel-good novel leaves readers eager to follow more adventures with April Ellis.”

—Dawn Ellison, Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor & Trauma Specialist