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Whispers Across the Prairie: Listening With the Heart
Firebird Award Winner in three categories!
On the wide prairie, friendship begins in silence.
In Kearney, Missouri, ten-year-old Emeline O'Connor knows how to listen-to the wind moving through tall grass, to the rhythm of farm life, to the steady comfort of her family's love.
But when a new neighbor boy arrives-one who does not speak and seems to live by different rules of sound and silence-Emeline realizes there are many kinds of listening she has yet to learn.
As she navigates chores, friendships, and misunderstandings, Emeline must decide whether she is brave enough to slow down, pay attention, and truly see someone who communicates in ways unfamiliar to her. With patience, kindness, and a growing understanding of the world beyond her own experiences, she begins to discover that some of the most important conversations happen without words at all.
Whispers Across the Prairie is a tender historical novel about empathy, friendship, and learning to listen with the heart.
On the wide prairie, friendship begins in silence.
In Kearney, Missouri, ten-year-old Emeline O'Connor knows how to listen-to the wind moving through tall grass, to the rhythm of farm life, to the steady comfort of her family's love.
But when a new neighbor boy arrives-one who does not speak and seems to live by different rules of sound and silence-Emeline realizes there are many kinds of listening she has yet to learn.
As she navigates chores, friendships, and misunderstandings, Emeline must decide whether she is brave enough to slow down, pay attention, and truly see someone who communicates in ways unfamiliar to her. With patience, kindness, and a growing understanding of the world beyond her own experiences, she begins to discover that some of the most important conversations happen without words at all.
Whispers Across the Prairie is a tender historical novel about empathy, friendship, and learning to listen with the heart.
338 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Kathy J. Perry
17 books262 followersPlanting seeds for tomorrow's leaders, I hope my books will inspire kids and young adults to be confident and of excellent character.
Award-winning author:
Nibbler & Captain Make Peace - Bronze Award for children's fiction in 2019 with The Wishing Shelf. (From the Bandana Acres series)
Emeline -A Journey - Finalist Award in the young adult category from both The Wishing Shelf (2020) AND Book Excellence Awards, 2021.
Author & Speaker of stories for children and teens with compelling plots and memorable characters.
Emeline-A Journey, a young adult historical adventure and companion journal - My Journey (guided journal). Published 2nd edition, illustrated 8/1/23 under the title A Journey.
My Bandana Acres Journal (guided journal for ages 8-12).
Released the sequel to Emeline's story: Finding Strength: During the Panic of 1893. (2024)
Released new 5- book early reader chapter book series: Oakwoods, April, 2025.
Member of ALLI (Alliance of Independent Authors). and The History Quill
Award-winning author:
Nibbler & Captain Make Peace - Bronze Award for children's fiction in 2019 with The Wishing Shelf. (From the Bandana Acres series)
Emeline -A Journey - Finalist Award in the young adult category from both The Wishing Shelf (2020) AND Book Excellence Awards, 2021.
Author & Speaker of stories for children and teens with compelling plots and memorable characters.
Emeline-A Journey, a young adult historical adventure and companion journal - My Journey (guided journal). Published 2nd edition, illustrated 8/1/23 under the title A Journey.
My Bandana Acres Journal (guided journal for ages 8-12).
Released the sequel to Emeline's story: Finding Strength: During the Panic of 1893. (2024)
Released new 5- book early reader chapter book series: Oakwoods, April, 2025.
Member of ALLI (Alliance of Independent Authors). and The History Quill
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