It was supposed to be one simple summer chore.

Sixteen-year-old Kent Barnum and his best friend Pat are supposed to remove an old orange tree from Kent's yard-a job ordered by Kent's brooding, grief-stricken father. But when the ground collapses beneath them, the boys plunge into a hidden world: a vast underground river lit by glowing green lichen, its destination unknown.

Riding the currents on the battered remains of the orange tree, they must rely on their wits, courage, and friendship to survive. As the river sweeps them further from home, the boys face dangerous rapids, gnawing hunger, the darkness of fear-and the even darker thoughts that come from wondering if anyone will ever find them.

Above ground, Kent's father fights his own demons, refusing to let despair claim his only son. But the real battle rages below, where Kent and Pat must hold on to hope, trust each other, and confront the very edge of survival.

The Emerald River is a thrilling, heartfelt adventure about friendship, family, and the power of never giving up-even when the world turns dark around you. Perfect for fans of Hatchet, Bridge to Terabithia, and classic wilderness survival tales with real emotional depth.

What readers are saying:

★★★★★ "Imaginative tale of subterranean survival. When Kent and his friend Pat become trapped on an underground river, they must face their fears and use their wits to survive in this beautiful but dangerous subterranean world. There are also chapters devoted to Kent's father as he tries to rescue them while confronting his own inner demons. The characters come alive with detailed backstories rarely seen by an author so young. Written for the most part with a maturity beyond his years, and with a whimsical twist at the end that probably wouldn't have worked for an adult author, but in the hands of a sixteen year old, seems just right." ―Amazon reviewer

★★★★★ "Is the Emerald River an allegory for dealing with depression? It certainly seems so. In the sense that Kent is all alone in the cold dark world, with only Pat for company, while his father deals with his depression. The journey back to each other is pretty heavy for both father and son. A 16 year old wrote this?" ―Amazon reviewer

★★★★★ "I truly enjoyed "The Emerald River: A Novel". I enjoy young adult fiction-especially YA fiction that is a quality read. I appreciated how the Lord was mentioned as the source of a young man's strength and how a parent's love can supersede that same parent's issues." ―Amazon reviewer