Stumped

Book excerpt: Fifteen-year-old Walter Stypes did not approve of his parents decision to move to a small town in rural Alabama. Nor did he approve of his father's equally unjust decision to make him dig up an old stump in the backyard of their newly purchased historic home. Admittedly yes, Walter had begged for years to have a private bathroom separate from "the unnecessaries," his three younger siblings, but having to clear a stump to make way for extensive house renovations was taking matters too far.After all, it was Wade who had thrown the first book in the library. Walter had only acted in self-defense. Kennie was his eyewitness. But it was Woody who had actually found the secret. The buried secret that would lead the unlikely trio on a quest to dig up the truth concerning an old legend about a haunted tree in the town cemetery.Stumped is a redemptive, yet humorous, coming-of-age story that champions the pursuit of goodness, truth, and beauty. Readers of all ages will treasure this heartwarming story about friends, courage, and finding a real home.