The Wide Awake Loons (Unabridged‪)‬

Ten-year-old Ginny and her mother are opening the cabin. On an otherwise quiet day, Ginny hears a male loon, Yudel, sparring with a younger bird over territory. Canoeing with her friend Wes, Ginny discovers a loon nest on an island. They quickly find themselves protecting the defenseless eggs against predators. 

During the summer, the loons raise three loonlings. Now faced with many dangers, Yudel and his mate, Owala, will put their courage to the test. 

Follow the journey of Ginny and the loons as their stories unite....

The Wide Awake Loons placed as finalist in the children's/juvenile fiction category of the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.  

Reviews:

"Holmes, who lives in Duluth, tells a story that will resonate with every youngster who has been startled by a loon's 'song.' And she does it in the kind of lovely prose kids should be exposed to from the day they are born." (Mary Ann Grossman, St. Paul Pioneer Press)

"Incredible authentic details about life and survival habits and skills of the loons are woven into this engrossing nature story.... Prize winning author Holmes paints a Northern setting with vast skill and delicacy for the reading and educational pleasure and appreciation of middle grade and older readers." (The Midwest Review, Children's Bookwatch)

"When I began reading Wide Awake Loons, I immediately recalled my own childhood in northern Minnesota. The loons have a call like no other, and Ms. Holmes did a wonderful job of capturing their ethereal beauty and charm.... Ms. Holmes writes beautifully; her prose was both stunning and clever, and she shared the loons' story very convincingly." (Bobbie Grob for Readers' Favorite)