Telling the truth when it's hard
Every secret in this book costs something, and every confession heals something.
Book One of The Adventures of Stella and Rylee
About the Book
Twin sisters find a book in their attic with their own names on the cover. Stella dreams the future. Rylee always knows exactly where to be.
- Ages
- 9 to 12 · Grades 4 to 7
- Genre
- Clean middle-grade fantasy-mystery
- Length
- 19 chapters, with an illustration for every chapter
- Author
- R.R. Anders
- Status
- Coming soon. Join the pre-launch list
From the back cover
The truth will set you free. First somebody has to say it out loud.
Thirteen-year-old Stella Martin has started over at so many schools she has the routine down cold: pick the outfit, flash the fierce face, survive. Castle Hill, Maine, is more of the same. Then her new history teacher says something impossible. He knew her father. The father who died when Stella was five. The father nobody will talk about.
What the Martin twins find in their attic is a book with their own names stamped on the cover, a calling handed down for hundreds of years, and a job description with no hours, no pay, and a whole lot of destiny. Stella dreams the future. Her sister Rylee always knows exactly where to be. And somewhere out there is a boy at a crossroads, running out of time, with no idea someone else is already whispering in his ear.
The truth is supposed to set you free. First it has to find you.
Where it happens: Castle Hill, a small town on the coast of Maine that smells like salt and pine and somebody's fireplace
What it's about, underneath
Themes
Choices that ripple
One small choice can change a whole life, and every life it touches after that.
Sisters and family
Two twins who could not be more different, a mom who loves fiercely, and a dad they are still getting to know.
Courage that is scared and goes anyway
Stella learns the difference between acting brave and being brave.
Real friendship
Some friends tell you what you want to hear. True friends tell you the truth and stay.
Missing someone you love
Grief is handled gently and honestly, with plenty of humor alongside it.
For grown-ups
What parents will love
- A clean, page-turning mystery: no profanity, no gore, and no romance beyond a crush
- Big conversations about honesty, courage, and kindness, without a lecture
- Two strong sister heroes who argue, make up, and grow
- Short chapters that end on hooks, perfect for read-alouds and reluctant readers
- Welcoming to faith families, fun for every family
- A chapter illustration to look forward to every time
Content notes: Clean read: no profanity, no romance beyond blushing and a crush, peril without gore. The twins lost their dad when they were five, and one character's parents are divorced. Faith-friendly without being preachy.
Questions grown-ups ask
FAQ
What age is The Truth Seekers for?
It is written for readers 9 to 12 (grades 4 to 7). Confident 8-year-olds and young teens up to 13 enjoy it too, and it works well as a family read-aloud.
Is it a clean book?
Yes. There is no profanity, no romance beyond a blushing crush, and the scary moments are suspenseful, never gory. Grown-ups can hand it over with confidence.
Is it a Christian book?
It is faith-friendly. The story is built on honesty, courage, family love, and listening to your heart, and families of faith will recognize a lot of it. It does not preach, so any family can enjoy it.
What is it about, without spoilers?
Twin sisters Stella and Rylee Martin move to Castle Hill, Maine, and find a hidden book in their attic with their own names on it. It tells them they are Truth Seekers: people who help kids facing a big choice find the true path. Stella dreams the future, Rylee always knows where to be, and someone on the other side is working just as hard to steer things wrong.
Is it part of a series?
Yes. The Truth Seekers is Book One of The Adventures of Stella and Rylee, and more adventures are being written.
When can I get the book?
The book is coming soon. Join the pre-launch list and you will be the first to know, plus you get free printables like coloring pages and puzzles.
Is it scary?
There are a few tense, edge-of-your-seat moments and some spooky dreams, but nothing graphic. Most readers call it exciting, funny, and cozy all at once.
Does it work for a book club or homeschool unit?
It does. Visit the Parents and Teachers page for discussion questions grouped by part of the book, talk-about topics, and activities you can do at home or in class.
Who is R.R. Anders?
R.R. Anders is the pen name of the author, who grew up the oldest of three sisters in a house where imagination was the main form of entertainment. The Truth Seekers is her first novel.
Will boys like it?
The narrator is a girl, but the mystery, the race-against-the-clock adventure, and the humor have wide appeal. If a reader likes twisty mysteries with heart, this one is for them.