The Long Shadow

What if a fourteen-year-old boy from present-day white suburbia finds himself fifty years in the past, fighting to survive a freak storm in the woods and afraid to accept help from a black man?

Once the two learn to trust each other, Richie learns about the traumatic event that shaped the man Morris’s life: the lynching of Morris’s grandfather in 1923. If Richie can go back in time again and prevent the lynching, will Morris come in from the cold?

"Part survival story, part exploration of racial justice in America, part journey of self-discovery, and wholly engaging and memorable. A well done and powerful story. It is certainly stuck in my head."—Joe Corbett, school librarian, St. Louis

"Part survival story, part exploration of racial justice in America, part journey of self-discovery, and wholly engaging and memorable. A well done and powerful story. It is certainly stuck in my head."—Joe Corbett, school librarian, St. Louis

"Heartwarming and heartbreaking, Richie's story is a shining example of how taking a chance on unlikely friendships is the best way to break down the barriers we build." —Jill Williamson, award-winning author of the Blood of Kings trilogy

"I loved this book. I could not stop reading it once I had begun. It is a delightful story, as well as a very painful one, told very well without a wasted word. I gladly recommend it to anyone." --Jerram Barrs, professor at Covenant Theological Seminary and author of Echoes of Eden: Reflections on Christianity, Literature, and the Arts.

“I’ve read this book and enjoyed the characters in the story. I like the friendship that blossomed in the story and how the story came full circle in the end. It was a good history lesson without being offensive to anyone.”—LaShaunda Hoffman, sensitivity reader and author

"This compelling and engaging story is a must read!" —Rob Currie, author of Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel.

“In The Long Shadow, Richie finds himself traveling through time and learning to explore his own biases and prejudices towards people of color. Richie’s trajectory of self discovery is one that kids of all backgrounds and cultures can enjoy.” —Rebecca Groves, middle school literature teacher.

"Searching for a new favorite book? Look no further than The Long Shadow by Phyllis Wheeler. This is a great book for fans of To Kill a Mockingbird but with a time-travel twist. Richie grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until the very end."—Elsie G, age 13.

 "Sometimes we need to escape our own time and place to walk a few miles in someone else's shoes. Phyllis Wheeler's The Long Shadow will open your eyes, rend your heart, and take you on an invaluable journey." —Wayne Thomas Batson, bestselling author of The Door Within Trilogy.

I hope you can mention the book on your blogs, websites, and in other publications. As an anti-racist book, it is highly topical. I would be delighted to do interviews.

I have a goal of 50 Amazon reviews in the first week of publication, and I hope you can help me with that! Please contact me through my website at PhyllisWheeler.com if, after reading the book, you want to help spread the word about it by posting an Amazon review when I remind you!

I'll put you on the launch team, which is an email list. (Unsubscribe any time if you change your mind.) 

 That's the way you can help spread the word about this book.