A Dream That Waited 25 Years

Have you ever had a dream that you put on a shelf because life got busy?

I did.

About 25 years ago, I was busy. I was the mom of two energetic boys. Like so many parents, my days were filled with work, school drop-offs, homework, sports, music lessons, laundry, and all the moments that make up family life. I wanted my boys to love learning, make wise choices, and discover that history was much more than names and dates in a textbook.

One afternoon, an idea came to me.

What if a child could actually experience history instead of just reading about it?

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

What if history became an adventure?

I sat down with a notebook and began writing what would eventually become The Jenna O'Grady Adventures series.

And then… life happened. The handwritten pages were tucked away in my closet while I raised my family, built Jack's School of Music, taught hundreds of wonderful students, and lived life. Years later, I typed those pages into my computer. I was convinced I would finally finish my book.

Once again, life kept me busy.

The story waited. Again.

Not for weeks.

Not for months.

It waited more than twenty-five years.

Today, I'm incredibly grateful that I never threw that story away.

Those notebook pages have now become The Jenna O'Grady Adventures series. It’s a growing series of historical fiction chapter books for early middle grade readers that takes readers right into history through Jenna's curious eyes. As Jenna steps into the past, she soon finds her loyal companion, Gavin, and together they experience history as it unfolds. Readers don't just learn about history. They smell the salt air, hear the creak of old ships, feel the Texas breeze, notice the smallest details, and experience each adventure right alongside them. History comes alive through the sights, sounds, smells, textures, and emotions of the people who lived it.

While the series is written for early middle-grade readers—boys and girls alike—I've been delighted to hear from countless adult readers who tell me they enjoy the adventures just as much as the children do.

And NOW!

There is a COLORING BOOK with fun facts, draw and discover & more … to engage young children while you read to them!

Today, the Jenna O'Grady Adventures series includes:

• Jenna O'Grady and the Ocean That Wouldn't End (Book One), available in hardcover and paperback, along with a companion Activity Book filled with puzzles, vocabulary, cryptograms, and history-based activities that deepen the adventure, plus a Coloring Book designed especially for younger readers.

• Jenna O'Grady and the Ground That Roared (Book Two), an exciting adventure centered around the famous Lucas Gusher at Spindletop—the event that changed Texas history forever. Readers can continue the adventure with a companion Activity Book featuring games, puzzles, vocabulary, and hands-on history activities.

• Jenna O'Grady and the River of Horns (Book Three) follows Jenna onto the legendary Chisholm Trail and is currently in its final stages of editing. By the time you read this, it may already be available.

Research is already underway for several future Jenna O'Grady adventures, and I am finding this to be my favorite part of the entire writing process. You can now find me wandering through museums, exploring historic buildings, visiting libraries, talking with park rangers, interviewing local historians, and filling my notebooks with ideas. If inspiration strikes, you'll probably catch me talking into my phone before the thought disappears! If you'd like to come along on the adventure, be sure to follow me on Facebook. I’ll share behind-the-scenes photos, discoveries, and occasionally go live from the fascinating places that inspire Jenna's adventures, giving you a front-row seat to the history I'm exploring.

Upcoming adventures are already taking shape, including stories set in Galveston before the Great Storm of 1900, the legendary world of pirate Jean Lafitte, the towering forests of the Big Thicket National Preserve and the East Texas lumber boom, and the remarkable shipbuilding era of Orange, Texas, during World War II. Everywhere I go, I discover another fascinating story waiting to be told.

The more I explore Southeast Texas, the more convinced I become that some of the greatest adventures in American history happened right here in our own backyard. My hope is to bring those stories to life so young readers don't just learn history. I want them to experience it.

One of the unexpected blessings of this journey has been meeting other creative people who encourage one another to keep going. From time to time, our group gathers to share ideas, celebrate progress, and remind each other that our dreams don't have an expiration date. If you've ever dreamed of writing a book, creating something meaningful, or simply making time for a hobby you've set aside, I'd love to encourage you, too. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to learn more about joining us.

If you'd like to explore The Jenna O'Grady Adventures, along with my original piano music, children's books, activity books, coloring books, staff paper, and educational resources, visit PamelaJack.com/books.

Your Dream Isn't Too Late

Looking back, I am so thankful I never threw away those old notebook pages.

Maybe you've been carrying around an idea for years—a story, a business, a ministry, a hobby, or a project that never seemed to fit into life's busy schedule.

Don't give up on it.

Write your ideas down. Save them. Take one step today.

Dreams don't have expiration dates.

Sometimes they just wait for a different season… the right season.

I'm so glad mine did.