Ashlynn's Dreams Shorts: Helping Mr. Blairington and Other Misadventures

Growing up is hard, especially when one's parents get divorced. Jillian doesn't seek trouble, but it has a habit of finding her. She's bold, brave, and not afraid to stand up for her friends, even if that means tackling bullies. Jillian never knows what each day holds for her. One day has her exploring a creepy old house and the next has her trying to find a home for some sweet little puppies. The important part is the many lessons she learns along the way. Interview with the Author: Q: What makes the Devya's Children series special? A: At the heart, this series is about family and friendship as well as the ethical questions surrounding genetic engineering. It's been likened to the Orphan Black TV show. I like to think of it as a more family-friendly take on those themes. The premise is that a brilliant scientist and his team created several genetically altered children who have special Gifts, such as telepathy, healing, and dream shaping. The journal/letters style is not unique to this series, but I believe ultimately it suits my need to get in these people's heads. I've worked very hard to fill the books with relatable characters. Some of them happen to have superpowers, but as Jillian points out, everybody has gifts, if not Gifts. It's just a matter of finding out what those gifts are and how they can be applied for the good of the world. Q: What order should I read them in? A: I suggest the traditional order of: - Ashlynn's Dreams - Nadia's Tears - Malia's Miracles - Varick's Quest … before jumping into the prequel—The Dark Side of Science—or the Ashlynn's Dreams Shorts. The prequel and the short stories can certainly be read as standalones, but they may be more enjoyable once the reader's already familiar with some of the characters. Q: Where does this book fit in the series? What theme(s) make it special? A: This is the original collection of short stories that introduced me to Jillian. I fell in love with her voice and attitude. She's definitely an opinionated kid. Right and wrong have very clear meanings to her, even if they're not the same meanings most adults would hold. Although it's meant to be a light-hearted exploration of some daily life events, it does bring up some heavy-hitting topics some kids are forced to deal with: divorce and bullying. Q: Why should readers check out this series? A: Because Devya's Children will introduce you to a charming cast of characters dealing with some big issues. Right or wrong, the children exist, so now what? If you have the power to change the world, should you? What are the personal cost and consequences of shaping the world? These are all questions explored by the series.