Author Tackles Bullying in a Christian Way in New 'Laurel Hill' Book Series Aimed at Tween Audience
A new author is targeting "tweens" with stories designed to tackle difficult issues such bullying in a Christian way with "Laurel Hill."
The first installment to the "Laurel Hill" book series, New Beginnings, debuted earlier this year, but author Erin Mackey recently caught up with The Christian Post in order to talk more about the story. Intended for children aged seven to 13, "Laurel Hill" explores the pitfalls and highlights of growing up, all while reminding the reader of God's love.
"I wrote this many years ago when my first niece was born, I always dealt well with kids and I wanted to write toward ages seven to 13," Mackey told CP.
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Despite the advances in technology, the author said that there are many elements of childhood that remain unchanged over the years, and many are universal, even today.
"Trying to make the story relevant for the current age is challenging, and some things are quite different now from when I was that age," Mackey explained. "Bringing all the things that I didn't do, but you know kids now do. We still have the end of school, celebrating the beginning of summer ... that's universal throughout time I think."
New Beginnings follows Maggie, a sixth-grader who is faced with her parents' divorce, a move to a new school, and the challenge of making new friends, all while enduring torments from a local bully. In an effort to provide tweens with Christian guidance, "Laurel Hill" walks readers through the difficult situations, proving over and over again that God has a special plan for everyone.
"I try to bring in faith in a daily way," Mackey said. "Not bringing it out and flaunting it or making a huge point of it but just on a daily basis show how their faith is lived out, how it influences their decisions or their reactions."
Furthermore, Mackey credits her writing to a calling from God, and noted her hopes for the book series.
"The main lesson I want readers to learn through the story is how God's love comes through to us in a different way each day," Mackey said. "There are ways to break through things, to overcome things ... difficult situations like divorce, making new friends and dealing with a bully. Bullies can be extremely confrontational, and my stories look at them in a Christian way."
To learn more about Mackey or "Laurel Hill," visit her website here.
