New Middle-Grade Chapter Book Offers a Hopeful Mirror to Build and Spread Glow and Empowerment
Columbus, Ohio – June 29, 2026 – Driven by a mission to bring hidden histories to light, Jay Books Press is proud to announce the upcoming release of Glow Power: Unlocking Healing and Transformation, a powerful and deeply moving debut middle-grade novel by Jacqueline Lopez and Joy Peyton. Aimed at readers aged 9 to 15, Glow Power is beautifully paired with evocative and sensitive illustrations by Cheyenne Lewis. This dual-timeline historical fiction book, is set against the backdrop of the 1921 events in American history through the eyes of young friends, emphasizing themes of solidarity, nostalgia, courage, justice, and ultimate hope. Rather than focusing solely on destruction, the narrative highlights the profound strength of the community, showing how friends and neighbors thrived when Black Wall Street, also known as Greenwood, was at its full glory.
Jake meets Teyanna, Keishan, Empress, and Vi at the vibrant and thriving community of Greenwood, Oklahoma after a glow and a wish transforms Jake into a Cardinal Avatar, and he goes through a time traveling tunnel. When the peaceful neighborhood of Greenwood is suddenly thrust into horror with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, their bond gets uprooted. Jake’s grandmother, Abuelita, has always planted love-filled seeds for Jake to grow. She gives Teyanna the microphone and young minds glow like the sun, just like her grandson. A full circle transformation occurs when children and youth work together to spread compassion and accelerate healing glow.
Glow Power provides an essential bridge for educators, librarians, and parents who want to engage children in meaningful discussions about empathy, racial equity, and history, without overwhelming them. “I wanted to write a story that honors the memory of Greenwood while giving young readers a message of hope,” says author Jacqueline Lopez and adds, “Through the perspective of friendship, family, and empowerment, children can understand that even in the darkest moments, the light of community connection and collective unity cannot be erased.”
Early praise for Glow Power calls it an indispensable addition to personal libraries and classroom shelves and “a magical description with a powerful lesson for the children and youth of today as it shows them that they are the voice and vision of a pathway from horrors and trauma to a more beautiful and peaceful world” (Phil Quirk).
Glow Power ([ISBN: 9798994160404] will be available first as an e-book on July 12, 2026 through Amazon and online retailers. Review copies, digital galleys, and author interview opportunities are available upon request.
About the Authors
Jacqueline López is an educator, coach, and writer. She thrives in bilingual/bicultural spaces. She loves to empower children, their families, and education professionals so that students achieve a high-quality and well-rounded education. Her first publication was as a McNair Scholar at UC Berkeley. She also published with UCLA, the Center for Applied Linguistics, and Harvard University. She loves inspiring children to be the best versions of themselves and is a passionate advocate for inclusive children’s literature. Glow Power is her latest project dedicated to amplifying diverse voices.
Joy Peyton is a researcher and writer, working with students and teachers to develop ways to make writing and reading fun and interesting, often in the language of their home and community. She is a founding member and president of the Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools and co-editor of Heritage Languages in America: Preserving a National Resource. She lives in Virginia and St. Croix with her husband, two beautiful daughters, their husbands, and an amazing granddaughter and grandson.
About the Illustrator
Cheyenne ‘Angel’ Lewis is a New York City based artist with over 12 years’ experience in visual arts, creating Illustrations, publishing, book design, painting, graphic design, and more. Angel creates emotionally resonant visuals that bring complex histories to life for young audiences. She holds a BA degree, and a master’s degree in visual development for Concept Art at the Academy of Art University. Her portfolio includes working with the Smithsonian Freer Gallery, Diaspora Market, and Brownsville Heritage House. She published and illustrated the children’s books: Mama Relly and Mama Relly’s Lessons.
Contact: Jacqueline Lopez
Title: Author
Email: [email protected]
Book Page: https://www.scbwi.org/books/9798994160404
Media Contact
Company Name: Literary Titan
Contact Person: Jacqueline Lopez
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://www.scbwi.org/books/9798994160404
