2025 The International Firebird Book Award, Historical Fiction - Third Place

It's 1838, and two fourteen-year-olds form an unlikely friendship as tensions grow between the Cherokee Nation and white settlers in Tennessee. Callie, a Cherokee girl, and Jameson, the son of a U.S. soldier at nearby Fort Cass, discover they have more in common than they expected. Their bond deepens when they witness a horrible crime. Even worse, the murderous soldier sees them, too.

As they hide from him, soldiers arrive at the Cherokee villages and forcibly remove everyone, sending Callie's family on the deadly Trail of Tears. She escapes the soldiers, but now alone and hunted, Callie faces the daunting task of finding her family while Jameson struggles to protect her.

Will Callie and Jameson get captured? Can they find courage when faced with things they can't control? What secrets do the vicious John Payne hold? And will Callie ever be reunited with her family?

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"I love how the author tells the tale of two teens, unlikely friends, in this well-written, accurately detailed, and page-turning adventure in the days leading up to the 'Trail of Tears' event. We grow to love Callie and Jameson and ache for their struggles with the dangers and unfairness of the world around them. Beautifully done!" - Valerie Biel, award-winning author of the Circle of Nine series

"Walk On is a moving story about family, friendship, culture, and bravery, set against the backdrop of the Cherokee and white communities in the 1800s. Callie, is a strong and resilient character who prioritizes joy and peace over hate in this fast-paced book." - Chia Gounza Vang, author of the Young Guardian series

"While this story is fictional, it is an enduring and compassionate retelling of one of our nation's darkest hours. Written with sincerity, compassion, and delicacy, this is a novel that captures both sides of a story readers may not otherwise be able to understand or learn about." - 5 Star Review and Spotlight Book of the Week, Reader Views