Diego, Whynd and the Block Island Ghost

Palmetto Publishing announces the release of author Cat Urbain’s second novel, Diego, Whynd, and the Block Island Ghost—a celebration of the transformative power of friendship and the bravery it takes to explore the unknown. This captivating island adventure is inspired by Urbain's own summers on Block Island, her time in Nicaragua, as well as her experiences volunteering at an afterschool program in New Haven and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut.

It’s summer on the New England coast, and twelve-year-old Diego Menendez is stuck living in a haunted hotel on Block Island… a far cry from the family ranch in Nicaragua, where he usually spends his summers. Grappling with the recent loss of his grandfather, Diego reluctantly joins forces with Whynd, a spirited local girl on a quest to connect with the hotel’s resident ghost. Whynd is also struggling with a loss—a close friend from camp who had died the summer before.  Can the Ghost of Clossie Mott help them both?

Together, Diego and Whynd navigate a series of thrilling and often risky escapades that push them outside their comfort zones. Pranks lead to peril and ghostly encounters to close calls with reality.  Whynd’s unshakeable persistence and daring personality motivate Diego to open up to new experiences, deal with his grief, and discover the inner courage he never knew he had.

Diego, Whynd, and the Block Island Ghost is an enchanting novel for middle-grade readers authentically infused with the island’s rich history and charm. It is also inspired by the author’s volunteer experiences.