Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow
Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow is a middle grade fantasy novel by R.J. Roark for readers ages 9 to 12. It is set in Sundance, Wyoming, and is the first book in the Adventures of Amelia Moon series, published by Inner Citadel on February 3, 2026. The story follows thirteen-year-old Amelia Moon, who receives a family heirloom pendant and a letter from her late mother, and, with her best friend Veyla, begins to uncover what the town has been keeping about her family. It was positively reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, Foreword Reviews, and The Children's Book Review. It is available as a Kindle ebook and directly from ameliamoon.com.
Every morning, she reads the letter her mother left behind. Every morning, she puts on the necklace her mother wore before her. Every night, something in the dark gets a little closer.
Thirteen-year-old Amelia has grown up in Sundance, Wyoming — a town where parents still warn their children about the Sundance Shadow, and nobody stays out after dark. All her mother left her was a letter and a necklace. No family. No explanations. Just a pendant that's recently started to feel warm against her skin — like it knows something she doesn't.
Then a faded photograph surfaces — one that connects her mother's necklace to a history Amelia was never told existed. And her best friend Veyla — who has never once in her life let a mystery stay unsolved — refuses to let Amelia look away.
The necklace wasn't just an heirloom. It was a key.
The Sundance Shadow is real. And it knows her name.
For readers who grew up with Percy Jackson and Harry Potter — and always wondered what magic looked like in the American West.
Book 1 of the Amelia Moon series.
Also available on Kindle →
For Parents:
Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow is written for readers ages 9–12. It contains mild peril in fantastical settings and no graphic content. Themes include friendship, family history, and courage.
FAQ
What is Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow about?
Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow follows thirteen-year-old Amelia Moon as she investigates the legend of the Sundance Shadow in her hometown of Sundance, Wyoming, and uncovers a mystery connected to her mother's necklace and her family's hidden past. It is a middle grade fantasy for readers ages 9–12.
What age group is Amelia Moon for?
The book is written for readers ages 9–12. It contains mild peril and no graphic content.
Who is R.J. Roark?
R.J. Roark is the author of the Adventures of Amelia Moon series. Writing from the mountains of New Hampshire, Roark homesteads with his wife, daughter, and two German Short-Haired Pointers. When not reading or writing or thinking about lost civilizations, he can be found outside, tending to the fruit trees and plants. Or filling in the holes around the yard that the dogs insist on digging. Or trying to keep the backyard black bear out of the blueberry bushes. And away from the bee hives. Basically, anything other than building the bed frame that his wife's been requesting for years. More at rjroark.com.
Is Amelia Moon part of a series?
Yes. Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow is Book 1 of the Adventures of Amelia Moon series. Book 2 is in development.
Where can I read Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow?
The ebook is available directly at ameliamoon.com and on Amazon Kindle. The first five chapters are free at ameliamoon.com/excerpt.