GOLDEN DOG

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.

About the Book

A summer at Wildwood Village Camp becomes an unforgettable adventure when eleven-year-old Teressa receives a camera and a bird journal from her great-aunt. As she explores nature, makes lifelong friends, and photographs wildlife, she becomes fascinated by a mysterious golden dog living in the nearby woods. Filled with heartwarming friendships, outdoor adventures, and a touching story of trust between humans and wildlife, Golden Dog is a charming middle-grade novel that celebrates curiosity, compassion, and the wonders of the natural world.