Cynthia DeFelice is the award-winning author of sixteen novels and twelve picture books for young readers.

“I enjoy the thrill of creating a character out of thin air, and of feeling that character come to life beneath my fingers on the computer keyboard. I like working at two o'clock in the morning if I want to, and wearing pajamas or comfy clothes to work.

I try to write books that I would have loved to read when I was a child. It is very gratifying to hear from children that something I wrote touched them, making them laugh or cry, or think and feel something new."

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The Missing Manatee

Missing Manatee was nominated for a 2006 Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America!

Skeet Waters is out cruising in his skiff when he discovers a dead manatee washed up on the shore. Upon closer examination, he sees that it has been shot. Manatees are protected by law, especially in the refuge near Skeet's Florida home. Who would want to shoot one of the sweet, harmless creatures, anyway?

Skeet goes to get help, but when he returns with the sheriff's deputy, the manatee is gone.

The Ghost of Poplar Point
It's summer vacation in the fourth adventure for Allie Nichols, "Ghost Magnet." Allie and her friend Dub are looking forward to their roles in the town of Seneca's summer pageant, which portrays the relationship between the area's early European settlers and the local Seneca Indians.

Too bad ghosts don't know about summer vacation.

During rehearsals, Allie is visited by a new ghost. To her embarrassment, it causes her to babble in a strange language in front of the director and all the other kids. It haunts her dreams with images of smoke and screaming people. As she tries to find out who the ghost is, and what it wants, Allie uncovers a centuries-old secret - and shakes up the town.