The Fourth Generation

A middle-grade historical fantasy blending Cherokee history and magical realism. Set during the Trail of Tears.

Each autumn, millions of fourth generation monarch butterflies travel from North America to a single forest in Mexico, a phenomenon coinciding with Día de los Muertos - The Day of the Dead. For centuries, people have believed these monarchs are magical, carrying the souls of warriors past.

They were right.

Thirteen-year-old Sally has survived by keeping her head down. Enslaved in the household of a Cherokee leader, she knows that being invisible is the safest way to live. But when she's sent as a doctor's aide on the Trail of Tears, invisibility is no longer an option. As they travel west, sickness spreads, food dwindles, and arguments flare between U.S. soldiers and Cherokee leaders.

Then four monarch butterflies speak-to Sally and three unlikely allies: a hardened U.S. soldier questioning his orders, the teenage grandson of a Cherokee healer, and a missionary losing his faith. The monarchs bring a chilling warning: the Mississippi will freeze early, and hundreds will die if the caravan doesn't cross in time.

Sally has no rank, no family to protect her, and no right to question those in charge. But if she stays silent, more people-children she's sworn to help-will perish. Using the monarchs' clues, Sally must stand up to the soldiers and Cherokee leaders. She must rally her fragile alliance to secure food, medicine, and warm clothing-and to push the caravan toward the crossing before winter seals it shut.