Highland Park Author Chris Johnson Debuts First Novel 'In The Heart Of The Woods'

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park author Chris Johnson has released his first novel, “In the Heart of the Woods,” a book he says is for kids and adults who remember what it was like to be young.

The book was released Sept. 8 and is set in the 1950s in Upton Grove, Ohio, where four 10-year-olds explore nearby woods while trying to find identity and self-confidence.

The story follows Herbie Hertford, Skeeter McAllister, Tommy Coppersmith and Roger Delaney as they spend time outdoors. Throughout the book, the children go on many adventures such as studying animals, exploring caves, building a raft and meeting a traveling man living in the woods.

The plot also looks at family dynamics and the value of speaking up for causes that matter to them.

“I was a high school English teacher in the late 70s, and that was one of the things that we tried to do as teachers is to empower kids intellectually and help them see they can make a difference,” Johnson said.

He said each child in the novel develops a stronger sense of self through those experiences outside.

“Each of the kids figures out their identity by exploring the woods. Tommy learns that he's a leader. Skeeter learns that she's a naturalist, and Roger learns that he is an artist, and then the main character Herbie gains self-confidence through all their experiences,” Johnson said.

“In the Heart of the Woods” marks a shift for Johnson, whose earlier books were nonfiction. He published “This Grand and Magnificent Place: The Wilderness Heritage of the White Mountains” in 2006 and “Forests for the People: The Story of America’s Eastern National Forests” in 2013.

According to Johnson, the move into fiction began after he took a memoir writing course at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. He said he wrote a short story four or five years ago centered on Herbie, his sister and conflict in their family. Around the same time, he said, he was also writing memoir pieces based on his own experiences.

With both of those pieces, it occurred to Johnson that he could put all of these stories together into a novel that would have a strong nature theme.

“I've been involved with the Sierra Club for several years on environmental issues, and it's something that's very important to me. So, I saw a way to express that theme through a novel that I thought would appeal to both kids and adults,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he especially wants to encourage people to spend time outdoors in an era shaped by technology and media.

Those interested in picking up the book can visit publisher 12 Willows Press' website. The softcover book costs $12.95, and the E-book costs $5.99.