In the snow-covered whaling town of New Bedford, nine-year-old James John Dixon Jr. finds himself drawn to the one place he’s been forbidden to go—the attic. But when his beloved grandmother hints that hidden memories of her explorer son, John Rumell, are locked away up there, James can’t resist the pull. What he discovers—an old portrait, mysterious letters, and a scrimshaw whale’s tooth—sets him on a journey through hidden history, lost love, and a legacy tied to the sea.
As Christmas approaches, James makes a heartfelt wish to Santa—not for toys or treats, but to mend the hearts of his mother and grandmother. With the help of his loyal dog, a kind-hearted sailor, and his own boundless imagination, James may just uncover more than anyone ever expected.
Secrets in the Attic is a tender coming-of-age tale filled with holiday warmth, generational bonds, and the enduring power of hope.
Nanine has always loved adventure! She’s traveled the world capturing people and events with the lens. Her biggest adventure, though, was tracking down her ancestor’s story on the Marquesas Islands, a man who lived among cannibals in the 1800s.