Author Description

Sami Smitwell is a tween sleuth that is about to embark on the journey of her life. After losing her mother to cancer, she learns that she has an indomitable spirit that impacts the lives of everyone, and everything around her. Sami grew up playing in an amazing garden that was planted by her wise great, great grandmother. Each amazing plant in the garden represents the past and the future, even the birds seem to talk. While being held in captivity, a baffled Sami dreams about the garden hoping she and her friends will escape the big city. The memory of her mother's words beckon Sami to trust her intuitive gifts that will safely guide her back to the island of her youth, her friends, family, and freedom. While in captivity, the mystical world collides with the imagination of Sami Smitwell, a tween that joins forces with her housemates for their freedom. It is up to the tweens to plan their escape, as their reality unfolds revealing the ugly truth about their current situation. As danger looms, their courageous exploits will intrigue, amuse, and delight readers. "Sami Smitwell and the Mystical Garden" is a journey to the past and to the future while existing in a present of unknowns. But, the voice from Sami's great, great grandmother pull her back to the island of her youth, her friends, family, and freedom. This mystery fiction novel by La Stone Mandell promises readers an unforgettable journey into the mystical world, and the mind of a child sleuth unraveling the mystery surrounding captivity.