Children’s novels
Looking for Kathryn’s contemporary children’s and YA novels? Visit the Kathryn Ormsbee website!
THE LOTTIE FISKE BOOKS
The series that started it all. Dive into K.E. Ormsbee’s children’s portal fantasy trilogy—a fresh, whimsical story likened to the works of Lewis Carroll, Susan Cooper, and C.S. Lewis. Perfect for readers aged 8 and up.
"A beautifully told fairy tale." — Booklist
“Readers of the first volume will settle right into [the second] and then leave it eager for a third." — Kirkus Reviews
"An eventful quest through a well-built fantasy world . . . offered with flavorful prose." — School Library Journal
Cover Illustration: Romi Lindenberg | Cover Design: Caitlin B. Alexander
THE HOUSE IN POPLAR WOOD
For as long as the Vickery twins can remember, Poplar House has been divided into two parts. On the east side, Felix lives with his father and Death, and on the west side, Lee lives with his mother and Memory. The brothers are only able to leave the house together on one night a year: Halloween.
This is the Agreement, and it is permanent. The twins have learned that the hard way.
But one Halloween, Gretchen Whipple smashes her way into the brothers’ lives and offers them a deal: If they help her solve the murder of local girl Essie Hasting, she'll help them break the Agreement.
The more the three investigate, however, the more they realize that something is terribly wrong in the town of Poplar Wood. If they don’t solve the case―and soon―history will repeat itself, and Essie’s murder won’t be the last . . .
For readers aged 8 and up.
Praise for The House in Poplar Wood
★ “A smart, thrilling mystery.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “Magical elements, evocative, intelligent writing, and ever-ratcheting suspense.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Quirky, spooky, and thoroughly enjoyable.” — School Library Journal, starred review
“Atmospheric and gripping. Ormsbee does a masterly job . . . while never losing the page-whipping pace of her well-crafted plot.” — The New York Times
Foreign Editions: Italy | Russia | Taiwan
Cover Illustration: The Brothers Hilts | Cover Design: Amelia Mack & Pamela Geismar
Paperback edition out on August 4, 2026!