Where Story, Ancestry & Memory Meet
At the heart of RootWalkers: Echoes in the Earth is a young girl discovering that the stories carried through families, communities, and generations may hold more than memories. Her journey connects African lineage, Native American histories, family identity, forgotten truths, and questions about what we inherit from those who came before us.
RootWalkers explores what can happen when young people begin asking questions about their own roots—and discover that understanding where we come from can change how we understand ourselves.
Adventure • Mystery • Family • Culture & Identity • Supernatural Elements
ROOTED & RISING STORIES PRESENTS - Through young readers book reviews, Founding Readers provide thoughtful feedback on stories before they reach the world.
ROOTWALKERS: ECHOES IN THE EARTH
A young girl. A hidden legacy. Two lineages. One destiny.
The past is never truly behind us. RootWalkers: Echoes in the Earth is an upcoming young adult novel exploring family, ancestry, cultural identity, forgotten histories, mystery, and the powerful connections between generations.
The RootWalkers Founding Readers Initiative
Young readers helping shape a story before it reaches the world.
The Founding Readers Initiative was created to invite teen readers into the development of RootWalkers: Echoes in the Earth before publication.
A small group of readers ages 13–17 will have the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of the manuscript and provide thoughtful reactions and feedback from the perspective of the young audience for whom the story is being written.
Founding Readers are not simply being asked whether they ‘liked’ the book. Their voices can help identify what connects, what raises questions, what feels powerful, and what stays with them after reading. The initiative also incorporates awards and special recognition to encourage participation, celebrate thoughtful engagement, and recognize the contributions of young readers.
What Founding Readers Do
READ
Receive an advance digital copy of RootWalkers: Echoes in the Earth before publication.
REFLECT
Think about the characters, story, themes, cultural connections, mysteries, and moments that stand out.
SHARE
Provide thoughtful feedback about the reading experience, including what resonates, what raises questions, and what makes an impression.
LEAVE A MARK
Participate in a unique pre-publication reading experience where young readers have an opportunity to contribute their voices to the development of the final book.
Founding Readers Awards & Recognition
Your voice matters—and meaningful participation deserves to be celebrated.
The Founding Readers Initiative includes opportunities for awards and recognition designed to encourage participation and celebrate readers who provide meaningful, insightful, creative, and thoughtful feedback.
These forms of recognition are intended to honor the care, time, and reflection that young readers bring to the story. With parent or guardian permission, some Founding Readers may also have an opportunity to be acknowledged in the published book’s acknowledgments as a way of recognizing their contributions.
FOUNDING READER AWARDS
🥇 First to complete the manuscript — $100 Amazon Gift Card
🥈 Second to complete the manuscript — $75 Amazon Gift Card
🥉 Third to complete the manuscript — $50 Amazon Gift Card
Who Are We Looking For?
The initiative is seeking a very small group of approximately 1–3 teen readers, ages 13–17, who enjoy reading and are willing to thoughtfully share their reactions to an unpublished story.
Readers who enjoy adventure, mystery, family stories, cultural identity, history, and supernatural elements may especially connect with the world of RootWalkers.
Stories ~ Family ~ Legacy ~ Memory.
RootWalkers grows from a larger belief that family stories and cultural memory matter. Asking questions, preserving photographs, recording memories, learning the names of our ancestors, and listening to the people who came before us can keep important histories from disappearing.
The story invites young readers not only to follow Sundaii’s journey, but also to begin thinking about their own families, histories, identities, and the stories they may one day carry forward.
Preserve. Remember. Pass It On.
What Stories Live in Your Family?
RootWalkers encourages young people to become curious about the people, places, memories, photographs, traditions, and stories within their own families.
Readers are encouraged to ask questions, talk with older relatives when possible, preserve family photographs and documents, learn family names and places, and record stories that might otherwise be lost.
Interested in Becoming a Founding Reader?
The RootWalkers Founding Readers Initiative is intentionally small. Interested teen readers and their parents or guardians may contact Leave A Mark Press to learn more about participation, current availability, and the initiative.
Because participants are ages 13–17, parent or guardian involvement and permission are required.
Your voice could help shape the story before it reaches the world.
