Mercury Mountain

Juliana Chapman has used the world’s growing environmental issues as fuel for a series of up-beat eco-conscious novels for ’tweens (8-12 year olds).

In Mercury Mountain Chapman, writing under the pen name India Evans, tells the story of a 13-year-old techno-nerd named Julie and her futuristic talking sports car, Jett. Together, Julie and Jett venture out to tackle polluters of electronic waste and the every-day struggles of turning 13.

Chapman said she has been concerned about the environment since she was a kid herself, but not because of what she was taught in school. “I learned a lot from my parents.” Chapman said. “They have always recycled, been against pesticides, and use natural products.”

She feels that schools are doing better now about teaching about environmental issues, but they could still improve. “I felt that with my book, I could build that foundation with kids,” she said. “That’s why I chose to write for this age group specifically.”

With over 200 copies sold, Chapman has received positive feedback in emails and letters. She has received praise not only from kids, but from adult readers as well. She hopes to further promote her book and the environmental awareness at its core at a book signing and book expo in New York City this summer.

Mercury Mountain is just the first of a series of books Chapman plans to write. She already has ideas for eight more books in the series; the next story, Reef Rescue, will take Julie and Jett to coral reefs off the coast of Key West.

Chapman’s concern for the environment extends beyond her writing. Her Web site, www.indiaevansbooks.com, provides changing featured links to informational sites about environmental issues.

The book, which is available exclusively online (AuthorHouse.com; Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com), is printed-to-order on acid-free paper. “We all affect the natural world with our actions,” Chapman said. “We all have to do our part to help and educate our youth.”

—James Acone ‘08