Some books are written for children. Some are written for adults. But a few land in the magical middle ground—stories that are simple enough for young readers, yet layered enough to move adults.
I call them “Easy Reads for Everyone.” They’re books you can finish in an evening, but they linger in your heart long after the last page.
When Children’s and Adult Fiction Overlap
Crossovers happen when a story carries the accessibility of children’s fiction but the depth of adult themes. Think of a Christmas tale that includes both whimsy and heartbreak. Or a short novel about children that also speaks powerfully to parents.
Here are some of my own books that live in this crossover space:
- A Boy with a Torn Shirt – A ten-year-old boy stops an attempted school shooting. A heavy subject, but told with sensitivity and redemption that makes it meaningful for both teens and adults.
- Eleven Pennies, A Christmas Story – Romance, second chances, and three mysterious little girls who change everything. A story that feels like both a fairy tale and a grown-up love story.
- The Foster Pact – A foster child’s life, told with humor and empathy. Kids relate to the adventure; adults recognize the heart.
- A Candle Snuffed – Young adults stumble into history, mystery, and consequences that feel all too real. Gothic, haunting, and yet redemptive.
- A Colonial Stew – Colonial life without the gloss, told with wit and satire. Young historians laugh at its honesty, while adults nod at its truth.
- Homer and Rocket’s Christmas Puppies – On the surface, a children’s Christmas story. In reality, it’s about two older misfits finding belonging, love, and purpose.
- The Minutemen’s Inn Series – Ghosts, cats, humor, and New England history—but also PTSD, the cost of fame, and faith. Perfect for young readers who enjoy a spooky laugh and for adults who crave depth.
- Balthazar, An End-Times Story – Teenagers in a broken world find faith and hope in unexpected places. At once fantasy, dystopian, and inspirational.
Why Easy Reads Matter
Not every book has to be 400 pages long to make an impact. An “easy read” doesn’t mean simple—it means accessible. It means honest. It means that whether you’re a teen, a busy parent, or an older reader who wants something shorter but meaningful, you can step right in.
For Readers of All Ages
If you’ve ever wished for a story you could share across generations—a book you can hand to your child, your grandchild, or read yourself—then crossover fiction is for you.
The heart of my writing has always been this: to create short, faith-filled stories that invite everyone in. Whether it’s through humor, history, romance, or even talking animals, I want readers of all ages to feel welcome.
Because at the end of the day, good stories don’t belong in boxes labeled “children” or “adult.” They belong to all of us.