S’more Than Just a Ghost Story: “Makenzie’s Ring” Illuminates Friendship and Courage
May 1, 2025 | For Immediate Release
Lake Tahoe’s Secrets Surface in Teri Stevens’ Captivating Middle-Grade Debut
Chicken House Press is thrilled to announce the release of Makenzie's Ring, a mesmerizing middle grade novel by debut author Teri Stevens. This enchanting summer camp mystery becomes available May 1, 2025, at Chicken House Press, Barnes & Noble, and all other major online retailers. Digital editions will be available for Kindle, Kobo, and Nook.
A Ghostly Summer Mystery
Makenzie's Ring follows thirteen-year-old Makenzie Taylor during her summer as a junior counsellor at Camp Baldwin. Finally free from her overprotective parents, Makenzie's perfect summer takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a mysterious ring at the bottom of Lake Tahoe, CA. Despite camp rules requiring found items to be turned in, Makenzie feels inexplicably drawn to keep the peculiar ring with its colour-changing stone.
As she secretly wears the ring in her cabin, strange events unfold—vivid dreams of a young woman in vintage clothing, each more disturbing than the last. When Makenzie spies a ghostly figure near the hundred-year-old Baldwin Manor and the manor’s sad caretaker recognizes the ring, she finds herself entangled in a decades-old mystery that challenges her understanding of right and wrong.
Inspired by Summer Camp Magic
Drawing from the setting of Lake Tahoe, Makenzie's Ring brings to life the authentic details of summer camp experiences—campfires, swimming, and the eerie magic that seems to hover around forested lakesides after dark.
The novel explores themes of independence that comes with being away from home, combined with the mysterious atmosphere of an old manor house against the backdrop of a vibrant summer camp setting.
Jen Malone, author of The Art of The Swap, calls the novel “A perfect combination of historical mystery, camp adventures, and tender-hearted coming of age.”
More Than a Ghost Story
While Makenzie’s Ring delivers gentle chills and supernatural intrigue, at its heart lies a story about friendship, family relationships, and learning when to let go. Readers will connect with Makenzie’s struggle to navigate her newfound independence while grappling with difficult moral choices.
With commentary on honesty, self-discovery, and the courage to face difficult truths, Makenzie’s Ring resonates with both young readers and parents alike.
For media inquiries or to request a review copy, please contact Alanna Rusnak at Chicken House Press.
ISBN trade paperback edition: 978-1-990336-96-6
About the Author: Teri Stevens lives in Napa, California with her husband and three teenagers. "Makenzie's Ring" is her debut middle grade novel.
