Magic Window

About the Author

Joann was born in Arkansas in 1933 during the Great Depression, the daughter of a minister. Growing up in a time when money was scarce and children's books were rare, she discovered a lifelong love of reading after receiving a treasured ABC book from a favorite aunt at the age of four. That simple gift sparked a passion that shaped the course of her life.

With the help of her older sister, who dreamed of becoming a teacher, Joann learned to read before entering school and was advanced a grade because of her reading ability. From that moment on, books and storytelling became an important part of her world.

Joann's writing career began at an early age when one of her poems celebrating the autumn hills of Arkansas was published in her local newspaper. She later wrote stories for her denomination's children's publication and educational articles on teaching methods. After raising her family, she authored a six-book juvenile series that placed fictional children within real biblical events, a collection that remains in print today.

Her greatest passion, however, has been writing historical fiction rooted in the people, places, and heritage of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Over the years, that passion has grown into a remarkable collection of more than forty books, preserving the memories, traditions, and everyday lives of earlier generations. Through her stories, Joann captures a way of life that is rapidly disappearing, ensuring that the voices and experiences of the pioneer Midwest continue to be remembered by future readers.

Thirteen-year-old Kevin Montgomery expects nothing more than a long, boring summer camping trip with his parents. But when an arrow accidentally passes through the tiny window of an ancient stone fortress, he finds himself face-to-face with a boy from another century.

Soon Kevin discovers that the mysterious "Magic Window" is far more than an old ruin. It is a portal through time, allowing him to meet children from different eras of American history. From pioneers traveling west during the California Gold Rush to Native American villages and other remarkable moments from the past, every journey brings new friendships, unforgettable adventures, and lessons no classroom could ever teach.

But every visit leaves Kevin with more questions than answers. Why can only he use the portal? Where do his new friends come from, and where do they go? Is he dreaming, or has he stumbled upon one of history's greatest secrets?

Filled with adventure, mystery, humor, and fascinating historical detail, Magic Window is a captivating middle-grade time-travel novel that inspires curiosity, courage, and a deeper appreciation for the people who came before us. Young readers will be swept into an unforgettable journey where history comes alive, and every adventure begins with a single arrow.