Karen Chow

Maddie's Ferry Ride is based on a true story of Maddie who was homeschooled / home-educated / unschooled for 14 years and is created by her mother Karen as the 18th birthday gift for her. The illustrator Nancy Highfield herself is also a 23 year old who was homeschooled through most of her childhood. Maddie's Ferry Ride hopes to inaugurate a series of stories of self-directed learning and growth, to showcase the perspectives of homeschoolers / unschoolers and young creatives. Here is the story: A ferry ride to an island is full of excitement. The sun is shining and Maddie is eager to explore the boat. On the top deck, Maddie takes in the view of the ocean, but Mom draws her attention to some strange orange objects stacked up on a shelf that Maddie has never seen before... life jackets Maddie is curious about these life jackets and wants to know more, so Mom asks a passing sailor if Maddie can try one on. At first, he does not say yes or no, but asks them to wait... At last, he comes back smiling. Maddie is allowed to try on a life jacket but there are certain important rules she must first agree to follow. Maddie is very grateful for the chance to learn all about the ferry's life jackets and why they are so important. Before the ferry ride is over, Maddie goes to thank the sailor for letting her try on a life jacket and she soon finds out that she's not the only one who wants to say thank you

When her father dies, Amie's ability to play music dies, too. Nothing short of a miracle can bring back what she has lost. Amie has spent her life perfectly in tune with Ba-ba, her father-she plays the violin, his favorite instrument; she loves all his favorite foods, even if he can't eat them during his cancer treatments; and they talk about books, including Amie's favorite series, Harry Potter. But after Ba-ba dies, Amie feels distanced from everyone close to her, like her mother and her best friends, Rio and Bella. More devastating still, she loses her ability to play the violin-the notes that used to flow freely are now stilted and sharp. Will Amie ever find her way back to the music she once loved? With hope and harmony lighting the way-and with help from the people who care about her most-Amie must find the strength to carry on. In the end, she'll learn that healing, while painful, can be its own miraculous song.