Without her, the baby dies.
Thirteen-year-old Piper finds a forbidden baby on a prison ship that enforces strict population control. Will Piper do what she has been taught, and turn the baby in? Or will she break the law—and risk her life—to save her new little friend?
“This is a book that grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go. The last line is one of the most satisfying I’ve read in a long time.”
Christine Cohen
“I stayed up all night reading and I don’t regret it. Best book I’ve ever read. I would’ve bought it if it were $200, it’s such an incredible book.”
13-year-old male reader
★★★★★
★★★★★
“A tale of espionage, corrupt government, and the strength to stand against a twisted world. Piper is an inspiration not only to be brave and search for the truth, no matter the consequences, but also to be humble enough to admit wrong, change our hearts, and accept real love.”
Tali Zarate
“Forbidden Child gives the political commentary of 1984 without the weird romance and depressing end. It paints the fascinating dystopian world of The Giver without the confusing end and generic morality. Finally an ending worth the read!”
Caitlin Ray
★★★★★
★★★★★
Watch the Book Trailer
How did ND Wilson chop the story in half the first time Gwen pitched it? What book title did Nate suggest (which Gwen refused)? What soundtrack(s) should you listen to while reading Forbidden Child? Listen to Episode 131 of Stores Are Soul Food to find out!
Gwen Newell with ND Wilson
on Stories Are Soul Food
WORLD Magazine
“An engaging dystopian read with a strong message of love leading the way out of darkness.”
In Progress...
I'm currently in the thick of writing a boys' adventure novel set in a fantasy world—not a misty fantasy world where the girls are named some anagram of "Eowyn" and everybody has gray eyes and owns pet dragons. I mean a swashbuckling fantasy world with dashes of Elizabethan England, Finland in WWII, and ancient Hawaiian jungle, with ships and sails and rapiers and tall black boots. Hope to announce the title and publication plans soon!
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About Me
I was born in Germany, raised in Florida, and transplanted to the Pacific Northwest where I still pretend I live by the ocean as much as I can. I wrote my first story at age seven and haven't stopped writing since. (When I was 15, my mother banned me from writing for a whole summer, during which I was forced to actually read.) When I'm not writing, I'm either working alongside my husband, making noms for our family, or chasing our happy toddler son as he chases the cat.