Fourteen-year-old March Wong knows everything there is to know about trees. They are his passion and his obsession, even after his recent falls—and despite the state’s threat to take him away from his mother if she can’t keep him from getting hurt. But the young autistic boy cannot resist the captivating pull of the Pacific Northwest’s lush forests just outside his back door.

One day, March is devastated to learn that the Eagle Tree—a monolithic Ponderosa Pine near his home in Olympia—is slated to be cut down by developers. Now, he will do anything in his power to save this beloved tree, including enlisting unlikely support from relatives, classmates, and even his bitter neighbor. In taking a stand, March will come face-to-face with some frightening possibilities: Even if he manages to save the Eagle Tree, is he risking himself and his mother to do it?

Intertwining themes of humanity and ecology, The Eagle Tree eloquently explores what it means to be part of a family, a society, and the natural world that surrounds and connects us.

Ned Hayes is a voracious reader (and writer) from Olympia Washington.

My newest novel is THE EAGLE TREE, appearing from "Little A" in 2016.

I like to read a lot of different books, and my daily 1 minute podcast reviews has received some notice. I especially enjoy historical fiction like Philippa Gregory, Anita Diamant and Hilary Mantel, as well as supernatural historical fiction from Susanne Clarke and Tim Powers, along with the hilarious (and disturbing) works of Mark Henry. But I've also been known to read -- and teach -- literary fiction such as Annie Dillard, Jorge Borges and Michael Chabon.

I wrote the best-selling SINFUL FOLK, a novel set in the 14th century. The book cover for SINFUL FOLK and a series of lovely internal illustrations were created by the marvelous New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Nikki McClure. SINFUL FOLK was nominated for the "Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award," was a semi-finalist in the "Amazon Breakthrough Novel" contest, and has received numerous starred reviews from publications, including BookList.

I've also written other books -- you can find out about them at my bookish writing website -- Ned Note.com .