The Nocturnals

Selected for the Summer 2016 Kids' Indie Next List Pick! "The Nocturnals is an enchanting story about a group of animals who band together to protect their friends and find adventure. The characters are delightful and the nighttime landscape is captivating. It was just as I expected--because the best stories always take place in the dark!"-- R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps "A delightful adventure about the power of uncommon traits and the joys of newfound friendship."-- Kirkus Reviews "This new series documents the exploits of The Nocturnals, an unlikely trio who protect their fellow jungle denizens from all sorts of calamities--in this adventure, kidnappers...The characters are humorous and well developed, and the fast-moving plot features intrigue, unexpected twists, and the innovative hybrid hockey game. Accessible to upper elementary while sufficiently sophisticated for middle school, this new animal fantasy series should prove popular."-- Booklist "Tracey Hecht's first novel is an appealing page-turner for middle-school readers, combining a likable cadre of unusual animal characters with fast-paced, clever dialogue and, of course, plenty of suspense."-- BookPage "This is an adventure worth reading, filled with excitement, danger, suspense and surprise. Each chapter begins with a small illustration and the language is clear and easy to understand."-- School Library Connection "If you have an animal loving reader searching for a fun story, they won't be disappointed by this unique tale."-- Greg Pattridge, Always in the Middle Blog "The Nocturnals has made a "tour" through my classroom and every single reader has said the same thing, "Do you have book 2 yet?" That question alone implies huge success!" -- Kelly Leger, I'd So Rather Be Reading "...as a mom, I really appreciated the strong messages about loyalty and friendship...I think [the book] would be a great book to read not only in schools but also for book clubs." -- Julia Peterson, Booking Mama "Author Tracey Hecht has put together a suspenseful story with delightful characters, peppering it with lots of educational insights. Learning to work together despite their many differences is a lesson that makes this book even more meaningful. Artist Kate Liebman's creative illustrations add just the right whimsy to the animal personalities."-- Sally Tibbetts, Kidsreads.com "This adorable animal adventure will have readers laughing over Bismark's enthusiastic confidence, quickly befriending sweet Tobin, and admiring fierce Dawn. Each character is one you won't soon forget!" -- Samantha Randolph, YA and Kids Book Central (YABC) "An unforgettable nighttime adventure about friendship and teamwork. The Nocturnals is a tale of how a brave group of unlikely woodland friends come together to solve the mysterious abductions of their fellow animal friends." -- Katie Bartow, Founder of Mundie Moms and Mundie Kids