Popular Hardy County children’s author Joe McGee and WordPlay bookstore in Wardensville are teaming up on Saturday, May 10 at 1PM for “Porch Time with Joe McGee” at WordPlay. The free event is a celebration of the 10th and final book in Joe McGee’s Junior Monster Scouts series, Castle of Schemes and Dreams, recommended for ages 7 and up. Although the book does not officially release to the public until later in the month, WordPlay was granted special permission from the publisher to have the book available for purchase and signing at the May 10 event.
Joe McGee will chat with young readers about Castle of Schemes and Dreams, in which the Junior Monster Scouts fight to save a local landmark–Castle Dracula–from being turned into a gigantic amusement park. Adventure and plenty of fun ensue as the Junior Monster Scouts, the Villagers, and Baron Von Grump band together to save their little world from being turned upside down and inside out.
In addition to the Junior Monster Scouts series, Joe is the author of several other chapter book and early reader series, including Night Frights and Creature Campers, as well as the Peanut Butter & Brains picture book series. His forthcoming graphic novel/early reader, Sherlock Roach, Bug Detective will be published in Fall 2026. Joe earned his MA in Writing from Rowan University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. He is an Army veteran and an avid board, roleplaying, and tabletop skirmish game player. He lives in Hardy County with his wife Jess Rinker, also an author, and their two dogs, Odin and Pepper.
The May 10 event is free and open to the public; no registration required. WordPlay is located at 50 West Main Street in Wardensville. For more information, email info@wordplaywv.com or call 304.897.2233.
