I wrote The Secret on the Second Shelf because I've always loved stories that begin in familiar, everyday settings before opening the door to something far stranger and more mysterious.
As a reader, I was drawn to books where ordinary young people discover hidden secrets, uncover clues from the past, and find themselves involved in adventures that stretch far beyond what they thought was possible. With this story, I wanted to create a mystery that slowly unfolds, revealing ancient secrets, unexplained forces, and connections between the past and present.
Along the way, themes of friendship, courage, curiosity, and perseverance became central to the story. Although it is aimed at middle-grade readers, I hoped to create the same sense of wonder, discovery, and suspense that I enjoyed in the fantasy adventures I grew up reading.
If you're interested in hidden worlds, supernatural mysteries, ancient clues, and stories where every answer leads to a new question, I hope you'll enjoy The Secret on the Second Shelf.
For anyone curious about the world of the book, I also share short videos, scenes, and visual interpretations inspired by the story on TikTok: **@jonw404**.
As a reader, I was drawn to books where ordinary young people discover hidden secrets, uncover clues from the past, and find themselves involved in adventures that stretch far beyond what they thought was possible. With this story, I wanted to create a mystery that slowly unfolds, revealing ancient secrets, unexplained forces, and connections between the past and present.
Along the way, themes of friendship, courage, curiosity, and perseverance became central to the story. Although it is aimed at middle-grade readers, I hoped to create the same sense of wonder, discovery, and suspense that I enjoyed in the fantasy adventures I grew up reading.
If you're interested in hidden worlds, supernatural mysteries, ancient clues, and stories where every answer leads to a new question, I hope you'll enjoy The Secret on the Second Shelf.
For anyone curious about the world of the book, I also share short videos, scenes, and visual interpretations inspired by the story on TikTok: **@jonw404**.