
Born high in a spruce tree, Columbina and her brothers grow up listening to ancestral tales through long winters and harvesting pine seeds in summer. But Columbina begins to question her clan's traditions and forms bonds with creatures beyond her species. When she uncovers a looming threat from the mysterious Tall Ones, she must decide how far she'll go to protect her world.
A richly imaginative novel told through avian eyes, UPLIFT explores the strength of community, the power of interconnection, and the impact of environmental change.
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Silver medal winner

“An excellent read for nature lovers, families, and anyone looking for a tale with heart and purpose. Uplift is a remarkable work... a standout novel that deserves to be cherished and shared.”
—IBPA Book Awards
"Uplift joins Watership Down, The Secret of NIMH, and other stories that use animals to illuminate human concerns... Poignant, lyrical, and elegantly written... Mann's story doesn't just take flight, it soars."
—BlueInk "Starred"review
"Emotionally stirring story with appeal to adults as well as younger readers... Well-crafted universe and appealing characters that lift this tale to entertaining heights."
—Indie Reader "IR Approved" review
"Enchanting and enlightening… Highly recommended read for its captivating narrative and important central message."
—Readers' Favorite 5-stars
“A beautiful portrait of nature’s cycles... An immersive debut with an environmentally conscious message.”
—Publishers Weekly/BookLife
"A riveting must-read… A compelling and moving story with an important message."
—Psychology Today
"Exceptionally beautiful and inspiring story... Highly recommended to anyone looking for a heartfelt story."
—Online Book Club 5-stars
“Reading like part ancient myth and part experimental fiction, Uplift is a great read for a cold winter’s night.”
—The Nature Conservancy
"An enchanting allegorical story."
—Foreword/Clarion 4-star review
”A captivating tale told that delights the reader while also imparting important lessons about nature.”
—Writer’s Digest Self-published Book Awards
To receive a small dose of positivity about nature in your inbox 4 times a year AND Advance news and features about my upcoming and future books in The Habitat Trilogy series. Check out the sample on the Newsletter page to see for yourself. And if you like what you see, sign up!