The Way to Storey

by L.B. Anne

Beyond the Bright Sea meets Willa of the Wood in this fast-paced adventure filled with hope. Ages 9-12.

Eleven-year-old Luella has a life she loves. She’s homeschooled and lives on a swamp. But there is a reason she’s sheltered away from everything.

There is a place called Storey. Some say it’s just a myth. . . But it is where Luella’s grandfather says they are from. His instructions are for her to go there if anything ever happens to him.

“Follow the birds,” he said. But the birds disappeared and no one could explain why.

A mysterious light from her grandfather’s drawer leads Luella on a journey across the swamps of Southern Florida to find those like her. Along the way, she makes new friends, or are they enemies? And why is someone tracking her?

Luella is led down a path of discovery, exploring questions of identity, belonging, and finding home.

Genres: Middle Grade

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2021

About the author

With over five hundred thousand pages read this year, L. B. Anne is consistently an Amazon best selling author. She writes children's and middle grade fiction, with her Sheena Meyer series a best seller in Christian science fiction/fantasy and several other categories.

Find out more at www.lbanne.com
Like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlbanne
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlbanne

Read all the novels by L. B. Anne!
The Sheena Meyer Series:
1. The Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars
2. The Girl Who Spoke to the Wind
3. The Girl Who Captured the Sun
4. The Girl Who Became A Warrior
5. City of Gleamers
6. Secret of Shadow and Light
7. May Your Vision Be True
8. Fate of the Gleam Keeper

The Everfall Series:
1. Before I Let Go
2. Before I Fall

The Lolo and Winkle Series:
1. Go Viral
2. Zombie Apocalypse Club
3. Frenemies
4. Break London
5. Middle School Misfit
6. The Complete Five Book Collection

The Curly Girl Adventures Series:
1. Pickled Pudding
2. Zuri the Great
3. Tangled
4. Top Knot

Brave New World:
1. Gemma Kaine: Sky Rider

Snicker's Wish: A Christmas Story

The Way to Storey

Children of the Glades Series:
Five Things About Dragonflies

Never Really Gone

What the Good Girl Knew

Gleamers Chronicle: Winter Shadows (A story in the Sheena Meyer series universe)

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short cute fantasy Middle Grade. I really loved this book, and the mystery world that this book has in it. The main character is a 11 year old girl named Luella. Luella can do special things, and her Grandfather tells her they are from a place call Storey. She does not know if she believes there is a place call Storey. In this book she is trying to find Storey. Luella is a fun and carefree little girl, and she is a fun character to see this journey through her eyes. I won a kindle edition of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway, but this review is 100% my own opinion about this book.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

The Way to Storey by L.B Anne was such a great little read perfectly suited for middle grade aged children, or any age for that matter. It is a wonderful fast-paced fantasy adventure story- with mystery, family, myth, a journey, friendship, discovery, exploring identity, and discovering where you belong.
L.B Anne is a new-to-me author and I have enjoyed my introduction to her work. I do wish that the story didn't feel so rushed at the end and that all the threads had been tied up- otherwise it was quite a delightful adventure.

Thank you, L.B. Anne!

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way to Storey by L. B. Anne

5 +++ Stars

I grabbed this book because of the cover and I thought it would be something my grandkids would love. The thing is, I read it, couldn't put it down, and fell in love with it. Although it is suited for 8 - 12 year olds, this much older reader thought it was such a fantastic story and found herself on the edge of her seat most of the read because it flowed so well that you really had no idea what was going to happen next. I read in one of the other reviews that they were hoping for a series. YES PLEASE, what happens next was something I really wanted to know. It did not end on a cliff hanger but after following the birds for so long I really wanted to know more.

This is my first ever read by this author and I have already mentioned her to my daughters and I will be buying a copy of this for each of my grands! I simply loved this story and the character of Lu was so amazingly written.

I can't recommend this high enough for any age..it was a fantastic book!

[Heather Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read from this author and wow I was surprised. This book is meant for tweens not adults but I found myself addicted to this story. I love a good adventure and this author exceeded all my expectations. I was hooked from the first chapter and it only took me a few hours to devour this amazing read. I hope this author will consider doing a series.

Luella is an eleven year old girl that loves adventure. She is homeschooled and lives on a swap. Luella loves her life but she is also lonely. She doesn’t know it but she is not just a normal girl. Luella was told by her grandfather that they are from a place called Storey and if something happens to him she needs to go there. She is thinking that it is just a fairy tale until she follows a light. Luella finds her kind but are they her friends or enemies? Is there anyone she can trust or is she just as lonely in this place as well?

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luella is an 11-year-old-girl who begins her adventure to find her family home in a place called Storey. This requires her to leave her beloved swamp where she has been homeschooled and has lived. Living here has kept Luella safe and isolated from everything. This is where L. B Ann begins her tale in this semi-adventure story. We are with Luella from the start when a mysterious light in her grandfather's drawer sparks her curiosity and begins her journey across swamps. Luella, like many of us, longs to find those with whom she shares a bond or something in common with. Her journey isn't without peril and L.B. Ann wrote in some suspense with having someone or something follow Luella along the way. Stay with Luella too as the journey makes her stronger as a person and more confident in her identity. You may be surprised too by what you learn about yourself along the way!

[~*Arian’Rîn the Dragonelf*~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book frustrated me. I know that the target age group is 9-12, but it could have been so much more than it was. If it had been fleshed out, I think I really would have enjoyed it. There were some interesting bits sprinkled throughout, but it didn't flow. You'd be in one scene, then all of a sudden - you would be somewhere else. At first I thought the snake scene was a memory. I read it again and realized that it was the same day as the previous scene. Lou's "powers" and what she and her grandfather are were never explained. Storey is never explained. What happened to Lou's friends at the end? The whole conclusion was a muddy mess. We weren't given any explanations for anything whatsoever. I thought there would be a better reason for the birds disappearing too. Overall, just disappointed.

[Catherine Hyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner for sure!

I didn’t put this book down until the end! It’s definitely a page turner that has you questioning, who is this girl? What is this girl? What is Storey and what is open with that compass? The ending made it all worth it with that twist at the end! It was the most captivating and interesting read I had in a long time! I highly recommend!

[Feather Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story!

I really enjoyed this book, and I told my 12-year-old daughter about it. She is looking forward to reading it as well. The main character is so fun and engaging. The world to which she belongs is so intriguing. Her journey was so interesting, and I hope that there is another book in progress about her life in Storey.

[Carissa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fantasy book!

“They say the swamp spit her out. They were wrong. Storey did.”

Cool book..perfect for a 3rd to 5th grader..will buy for my son! Follows a young, unapologetic, homeschooled preteen..and her journey for family history..for identity...fantasy. Adventure. Kudos!!!

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luella is an eleven year old girl who lives with her Gramps next door to a lady she knows as Ma Poo, they live a quiet existence in the Florida swamps where she is homeschooled and taught all about nature, as well as the normal school subjects as well, but spends her leisure time reading or fishing with her Gramps and on the odd occasion watches a bit of TV with Ma Poo. She doesn’t get on well with the other local kids, they call her names and pick on her, but she can run away from them faster than they can catch her, but she does get in trouble for it sometimes. While they are out on the lake, Luella asks her Gramps about Storey, it is a place where Gramps says she is from, he then asks her questions about what she already knows, such as how to get there, to which Luella replies that she has to follow the birds and where her emotions need to be kept, to which she replies in her heart, but Luella doesn’t believe that Storey exists, after all, she found no evidence of it when she searched the house or when she searched for it on the computer in the local library, but when the computer goes haywire, Luella has a feeling that something is coming.

One day some men come to the house and ask where Luella is, even though she has never seen them in her life, but Gramps tells her to stay inside and out of site while he and Ma Poo deal with them, the men won’t take no for an answer and so when Gramps comes back into the house to get his shotgun, he tells Luella to go to their place and wait for him there. When he says this Luella knows it is serious and goes there to wait for him, when he eventually comes to get her it is already night time and so Luella has a bath and goes to bed thinking nothing more about it until her Gramps picks her up out of bed in the morning and tells her to hide in the hidden alcove above her dresser and to stay there no matter what happens. As usual, Luella doesn’t listen and creeps to a window to see what is happening, this is when she sees them force her Gramps into one of their cars and hears people entering the house, this is when she goes and hides while she hears them searching the entire house for her. She only comes out once she is sure she cannot sense their presence in the house and Ma Poo comes in looking for her. When she does, she tells Luella that the people will be back and that she has to gather together her things and come to her place out of the way, but things do not go smoothly and the men come back before the sun even has chance to rise and when Ma Poo is placed in danger, Luella cannot control her emotions and blasts the men away from her.

This is where Luella’s life will change completely, she leaves the only place she has ever known and follows her Gramps instructions to follow the birds and get to Storey as soon as she can, but that she has to do it on her own, as she travels she meets people along the way, but some help and some hinder. Will Luella be able to hold her own and make it to Storey, or will she lose her way and be caught by the people shadowing her every step? This is a fantasy tale of a journey of one girl against the odds which will hook you in and keep you there until you have read the entire thing.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Way to Storey by L.B. Anne was a very enjoyable middle grade book aimed for readers 9-12. It is about a little girl named Luella who lives with her grandpa, or gramps as she calls him, on a swamp in Florida. She is a peculiar little girl who can do things most would not imagine. I found her to be interesting in the way she thought about the day-to-day activities she did with her gramps at home because she was homeschooled and did not attend school like other children.

The fantasy story tells about Luella’s adventure and journey to find a place called Storey, where her family is from. Her gramps has told her all about Storey and I really enjoyed how the author helped the reader to understand the importance of this place and why Luella needed to believe it was real.
When exploring one day Luella finds a mysterious light in her gramps dresser drawer and she sets off on a journey to find Storey and more like her kind. Along the way she learns about friendship and that life is not the same outside of her family’s home along with learning the importance of trust and that not everyone is your friend.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Although it is aimed for readers ages 9-12, I did not feel that was the only age group who could read this book, and as an adult really enjoyed the character building and the story hidden within the story. I felt it was well written and perfect for the middle-grade age group.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

What a fun read! At first I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to get into the story, but I quickly became engrossed in this book and reading quickly to find out what would happen next. I really enjoyed all of the characters, especially that of Luella. She is a brave, smart and adventurous girl. I love the fact that she has some sort of special power if you will, and can sense things, and that she is from a fantastical world called Storey. I never really understood who the men were that were trying to get her, but the fact that she evaded them for so long was amazing and shows her skill set and that she listened when her gramps was giving her all his many lessons and advice. When she meets Wren and Robin on her adventure to find her Gramps and Storey, I kind of had a feeling that these girls were somehow connected to her in some way. I really enjoyed this author’s writing style and the flow of the book. I look forward to see what comes next.

[Ashley Dover · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story! L.B. Anne weaves a magical tale with amazing characters. The supernatural power in this book is unlike any other. Louella is an eleven-year-old girl. She lives with her Grandpa in south Florida in a secluded area. Lou is homeschooled by her Grandpa. Her neighbor Ma Poo helps take care of her. They are a non-traditional family but family nonetheless.

One day Lou walks into town and goes to the library to do some research on the place where she is told she is from, STOREY. When she uses the computer, the webcam blinks on and the librarian is very concerned. Lou runs all the way back home, knowing she has done something wrong, and wondering what the consequences will be.

It doesn’t take long for her fears of insecurity to take flight in her life. Gramps is taken, and she knows she must return to STOREY. How does she get there? She has to follow the birds.

Take this journey with Lou and enjoy her breathtaking ease with nature.

[Karen Pearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful & fun read from the very beginning. I read this book in about 3 hours that was how much I couldn’t get enough of it. The main character is such a smart, adventurous, and brave girl. She reminds me a lot of Merida from the Disney movie “Brave”. However, I think the author did a really great job with all the characters as they all have their own abilities and skills to use in various ways. She did an amazing job describing the surroundings as well and I feel like I need to take a trip there. This is a great adventure and a definite recommendation for your kids. Especially the ones that love fantasy worlds. And I must say that as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it for you as well. Or perhaps, pick it up and read it to your kids. I think this would be a great bonding and sharing time story.

[Erica S · Rating 5 out of 5]

OhMyGosh! This was the most adorable story that I can wholeheartedly recommend for children of all ages. Louella, a feisty, brilliant, little swamp girl is the heroine we all need. She is unabashedly herself, in all her feral wonder. She is clearly different from the other people she meets, she seems to be able to run faster, climb higher, and outfox enemies whenever needed. When she must seek out the fairy tale land of Storey that Gramps has taught her about, she shows all of the bravery and skill he knew she possessed. The characters she meets along the way are beautifully drawn, I felt like I could almost see them myself. This book is full of wonder and plain loveableness! L.B. Anne, I pray that you have a follow-up in the works!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially wanted to read The Way to Storey by L.B. Anne because the cover drew me in, the illustration is fun, the colors warm and inviting, it just looked like fun. But once I got into the story I couldn't put it down, while this book is much more suited for the middle school age group this reader found it fascinating. Full of great characters, fantasy, wonderful word play that will make your imagination run wild, The Way to Story is just amazing and lighthearted. This is my first book by this author and I have to admit that as a mother of a little girl I will be keeping this author in mind for when she's older. But personally I hope she makes it into a series because this reader for one wants to know what happens next.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

With six children I am often picking up books with a tagline and bright cover that catch my eye. I never know if and when I will be asked for something new to read by one of them and often run out of ideas, believe it or not! This one was not only a new author but a new adventure that I hope will spark some new interests that will open up some stories for my middle grade daughters. I must confess I started to flip through this baby and fell into it and devoured it myself. The story is fast paced and well written with lots of myth, lore, and magic that just about any age could enjoy this. I can see us enjoying this book as a family read out loud even. I do look forward to seeing what else may be available and if we get more of the world we are introduced to in THE WAY TO STOREY!

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way to Storey by L. B. Anne. This is such a fun kids book. This is the story of 11 year old Louella who lives with her Grandpa in the middle of no where! She is homeschooled by her grandpa and the neighbor next door helps him raise her. Lu runs wild thru the swamps and woods that surround her home. Her Grandpa has told her that they are from a place called Storey and if anything ever happens that she needs to follow the birds and they will lead her to Storey. So when she goes to town to look up stuff on the computer in the library the computer shuts down she knows she's done something wrong and sure enough when she gets home her Grandpa is gone. Will Lu be able to find her way to Storey to save her grandpa. Read this fun kids book to find out!

[Momo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice short read

Disclaimer I won this as a Goodreads giveaway for Kindle.

I think this was a cute little middle grade story and read it in pretty much one sitting. I really liked the main characters friends and their interactions with each other throughout the story. I liked the way three fourths of this story developed but felt the ending was wrapped up too quickly. I felt as though a few things weren’t explained enough and had trouble understanding the purpose of some mentions but I don’t honk a kid would mind much. Definitely would have loved this in elementary school!

Overall, this was a good read and I wouldn’t mind picking up books from the author in the future.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Way to Storey tells the story of Lu, a young girl being raised by her grandfather. Lu is homeschooled, and runs wild through the swamps that surround their home. Her grandfather has told her, however, that they are from another place, Storey, and that if anything ever happens to him, she is to "Follow the Birds" and they will lead her to Storey.

A sweet story of adventure, the characters are likeable and the book is fun to read. However, the ending was abrupt and was a let down after the build up of the rest of the book. Hopefully, the author continues the story with more books! Would make a great series!

[Caralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way to Storey by L.B. Anne
5 Star!!!!!

I wish my kids were smaller as this would be a fantastic read for them. I really think that this is a great book for a younge reader. The author has a very refreshing story and great writing style that just grabs the reader's attention and keeps it. Even as an adult I really found it interesting and a refreshing read.

The characters are well written and the story has just enough drama and adventure. The story would definitely grab the readers imagination. Children really need good enjoyable clean stories and this is definitely one. Highly recommend this author.

[Erica Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way to Storey is a book for all ages. The storyline is simple and entertaining. The characters are just as much fun as the storyline. Luella is the main character that we follow in this story. She follows a mystery light from her grandfather’s drawer. She is looking for Storey. Everyone has told her that it is a myth and there is no place called Storey. She had a thing to tell people about this mystical place. I loved following Luella. I went on her journey to find out her answers to questions of identity, finding out where she belongs and her home. I highly recommend this fantasy book for all ages.

[Jonell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way to Storey by L. B. Anne was a delightful story. Easy to read, a very quick read but more than all of that it was just a sweet, good story. I have to say I loved this book from start to finish and it’s easily my favorite book so far this year. I developed an instant love for Lou, Gramps and Ma Poo and they wrapped themselves around me like a warm blanket. This is not what you would refer to as an action adventure but there is plenty of action and plenty adventure. My only disappointment was that it ended too soon. It reads like a new series, (I certainly hope so) because this is one little story that’s too good to be at an end.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a young adult story that any age would enjoy. This is a story of fantasy brought to life by the characters. They made the story fun and entertaining to read. This is a well written story about a place called Storey. Some say it is a myth but Luella is about to find out differently. From her she takes you on a fantasy adventure of discovery. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story. They are engaging and I had no problem placing myself on the adventure right along with Luella. She really made a great character. I highly recommend this book.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Way To Storey by L.B. Anne is a great YA book that is imaginative and interesting. For me this whole book is about Luella. I fell in love with her straight away and had to read the book to find out what happened to her. Her journey was such an interesting one and I enjoyed going on it with her.
I thought the story itself was good. It was well written and had a great flow to it. It is the kind of book that would appeal to more than just its intended age range and is one I would certainly recommend.

[Rachel Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Way To Storey by L. B. Anne was an interesting read. This was a strange story, but an interesting one nonetheless. I've never read a story quite like this one before. This is a story for all ages. I enjoyed the imagery that was created this story and the characters were all entertaining and interesting. This was a very quick and easy read, which is a plus. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending, but it was entertaining. I feel like this book deserves a sequel, and I would definitely enjoy reading another installment.

[Lydia Pelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way to Storey
Written by L.B. Anne

I love it!

This is such a wonderfully written story. I grabbed it because I read chapter books to my daughter. I ended up getting engrossed in the book more than she did. It was beautifully written and the settings made you feel like you were right alongside Luella on her adventure to find Storey. I feel like this is a great middle school read or really any age read. It has adventure, family, friends and a bit of mystery that just ties it all together so well!

[Paula Sayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way to Storey by L.B. Anne is a fun Middle Grade book. Luella is an eleven year old girl who is homeschooled and lives with her Grandpa in the swamps of Florida. Her Grandpa has told her they are from somewhere called Storey. He has made sure Luella knows not to tell anyone about Storey. Grandpa has told her that if anything ever happens she need to follow the birds. When the unthinkable happens, Luella must follow the birds and she meets some wonderful characters along the way. This story will bring a smile to anyone’s face who decides to read it.

[Krista Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Way to Storey by L. B. Anne - Review by Krista Vaughan

This is a wonderful adventure following Luella as she tries to makes her way to Storey, where her Grandfather says they are from. Luella meets interesting characters as she "follows the birds" while fleeing from the people who took her grandfather. I love Luella's character! She is quirky and fun. She tries so hard to be a grown-up and to do as her Grandfather told her. She's only 11, afterall. This would be a wonderful book for youth who like a little magic in their reading.

[Daniela Burley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read

I loved the story about getting to Storey. From the beginning the author keeps you interested in the story. Gramps knows lots about Storey, a place that is beautiful and Lou comes from. But there are bad people that want to get to Storey too and a capture of Gramps and a chase for Lou begins. Lou meets her birds that she has to follow but this isnt know until the end. Wow. Loved the whole story. Captivating. Could not put it down till the end!