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The Pack: The Dare & the Draugar
Harmony O’Rourke's mom has moved them to a new town. Again. Worse, Harmony has been shipped off to an "academic" summer camp in the redwoods. But it turns out Camp Coho is a screening tool for a secret magical order looking for the next generation of forest guardians.
A late-night adventure lands Harmony and four other campers in training sessions for promising apprentices.Soon they're studying ancient languages and learning spells for flying, floating and self-defense.
Then Harmony’s mother goes missing back home, and it turns out she may not be what she seems. Harmony and her friends decide to use their new skills to do their own detective work.
Can five soon-to-be-seventh graders untangle the mystery of Harmony's parentage and rescue her missing mother before it's too late?
Adventure, terror, family secrets and ancient powers: it's all waiting for them in the forest.
A late-night adventure lands Harmony and four other campers in training sessions for promising apprentices.Soon they're studying ancient languages and learning spells for flying, floating and self-defense.
Then Harmony’s mother goes missing back home, and it turns out she may not be what she seems. Harmony and her friends decide to use their new skills to do their own detective work.
Can five soon-to-be-seventh graders untangle the mystery of Harmony's parentage and rescue her missing mother before it's too late?
Adventure, terror, family secrets and ancient powers: it's all waiting for them in the forest.
- GenresMiddle Grade
230 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2021
7 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Hendrix
1 book4 followersT.J. Hendrix started writing fiction for middle schoolers and young adults after a long career in non-fiction writing. She spent 11 years as a daily newspaper reporter on California's Central Coast, and another 14 years in university public relations, web and social media marketing.
When she's not writing middle grade fiction, she's a freelance writer and web content creator.
She has two grown daughters, two granddaughters and three granddogs. She lives in Sonoma County wine country with her husband and Maggie the Beagle-Jack. She grew up spending summers deep in the Mendocino redwoods, which inspired her first book, "The Pack, The Dare, and The Draugar." She's already working on a sequel.
She relies on actual middle school readers to test her book chapters and tell her if they're boring, pretty good or in between. If you'd like to be a test reader and swear that you are an actual middle-schooler, have middle-schoolers or vividly remember being a middle-schooler, join her emailing list.
When she's not writing middle grade fiction, she's a freelance writer and web content creator.
She has two grown daughters, two granddaughters and three granddogs. She lives in Sonoma County wine country with her husband and Maggie the Beagle-Jack. She grew up spending summers deep in the Mendocino redwoods, which inspired her first book, "The Pack, The Dare, and The Draugar." She's already working on a sequel.
She relies on actual middle school readers to test her book chapters and tell her if they're boring, pretty good or in between. If you'd like to be a test reader and swear that you are an actual middle-schooler, have middle-schoolers or vividly remember being a middle-schooler, join her emailing list.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 16, 2021
Set in the redwood forests of California, this book is set up to be just the first book exploring the story of Harmony and her middle-school friends. Five kids all coming to terms with who they really are at camp the summer before middle school.
Mythical and mystical, the book explores magic alongside nature and friendship. Time traveling tree portals, fairy realms, and zombie hell dogs are all introduced to the small group of advanced kids at Camp Coho.
It's a great introduction to the author and the set up for the next book is exciting as the reader is introduced to a new character. I'd love to see the next book explore some of the indigenous cultures of the area mentioned in this first book! It'll be a fun read for the middle grade (elementary age) set!
I received an ARC copy and am reviewing for story/plot.
Mythical and mystical, the book explores magic alongside nature and friendship. Time traveling tree portals, fairy realms, and zombie hell dogs are all introduced to the small group of advanced kids at Camp Coho.
It's a great introduction to the author and the set up for the next book is exciting as the reader is introduced to a new character. I'd love to see the next book explore some of the indigenous cultures of the area mentioned in this first book! It'll be a fun read for the middle grade (elementary age) set!
I received an ARC copy and am reviewing for story/plot.
May 23, 2021
The Pack is a fast paced middle grade adventure. The setting, a summer camp in the Northern California redwoods, is a perfect place for the campers to make new friends and learn about the environment. But, it is also a place to discover and develop their magical talents. In the redwoods near the camp they find an unexpected magical realm with goblin dogs, faeries, time travel and more. TJ Hendrix interweaves the fantasy world found in the forest with the realism of attending summer camp as seventh graders in a fun read.
I was hooked on the book as soon as the campers met MacUmba, the empathetic camp dog, who serves as camp mascot and greeter. The story only grabbed me more from there, as the author transported the reader along with the campers on a trip of discovery and danger through the majestic redwood forest.
I look forward to seeing what comes next for the campers in Book 2.
I was hooked on the book as soon as the campers met MacUmba, the empathetic camp dog, who serves as camp mascot and greeter. The story only grabbed me more from there, as the author transported the reader along with the campers on a trip of discovery and danger through the majestic redwood forest.
I look forward to seeing what comes next for the campers in Book 2.
July 14, 2021
The Pack is a terrific middle grade adventure full of fantasy, nature, danger, fairies, wise animals, time travel and suspense. Four friends find themselves in the middle of magic and mystery they couldn’t have predicted, and this novel doesn’t take them on a normal summer camp excursion. It’s full of surprises and clues that lead to more questions. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series for some answers—and more adventure!
June 9, 2021
Epic adventures happen not only in distant castles or at fictional places like Tolkein's Middle-earth but also in Northern California. Hendrix expands on compelling facts about the lore and ancient redwoods forest near Mendocino to create an unforgettable story. Harmony O'Rourke, a conflicted preteen, is sent off to Camp Coho (a science program). Her life with a loving/single mom is ever-changing and on the move. Harmony pushes through her comfort zone at camp and discovers unexpected friendships and the hidden identity that makes her question her family. Everything is not as it appears! There are so many exquisite details – Sentinel trees, time travel, shape-shifting guardians, fairies, and more. The Pack by T.J. Hendrix is a memorable story to read; prepare yourself for a scary, enchanting, and unpredictable adventure!
I received an ARC and my evaluation is based on the entertainment aspect of the novel.
I received an ARC and my evaluation is based on the entertainment aspect of the novel.
March 11, 2022
This imaginative fantasy is an exciting journey between the human and fae realms, with an emphasis on taking care of nature. The characters are likable, and most are distinct, though some of the kids do tend to blend together. In my opinion, the magic system is the best part of the book; it's well thought out and unique and was fun to read about!
I took off a star because of the numerous typos and grammatical errors that kept pulling me out of the story. In addition, the text was wordy, often repeating the same information or using more words than necessary to say something. It definitely could have benefited from a better edit. If not for those two issues, I would have given it five stars. This series has potential, and as the author gains more experience, I'm certain her writing will get better and better. I look forward to seeing where her characters and her writing go!
I took off a star because of the numerous typos and grammatical errors that kept pulling me out of the story. In addition, the text was wordy, often repeating the same information or using more words than necessary to say something. It definitely could have benefited from a better edit. If not for those two issues, I would have given it five stars. This series has potential, and as the author gains more experience, I'm certain her writing will get better and better. I look forward to seeing where her characters and her writing go!
August 20, 2021
While searching for a book for my ten year old nephew I was delighted to discover T.J. Hendrix’ The Pack: The Dare and the Drauger. Like any good aunt, I read the book myself prior to gifting it to make sure it was suitable--I must say I enjoyed it so much I hated parting with it! The Pack: The Dare and the Drauger has it all--likeable, believable characters, contemporary themes relatable to today’s tweens/teens, magic, and of course, mystery. Every chapter left me wanting more--I could hardly put it down. On a personal note, Hendrix created a wise and honorable character from my favorite dog breed, the noble Irish Wolfhound and set her tale in one of the most beautiful places in the world, the California Redwood Forest. This is the perfect book for any middle grade reader with an imagination and a sense of adventure; I’m looking forward to the next installment!
July 23, 2021
Exciting middle school age summer camp adventure. This place is no ordinary one! Things are not what they seem! Takes the reader to a whole other level with creative supernatural characters. Really opens the imagination to possibilities in the forest and back home too. Loved riding along with The Pack. Cannot wait for a sequel!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews