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Serpent on the Mountain
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Table of Contents
About The Book
From acclaimed author J. Kasper Kramer comes an “intricate, emotional” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) coming-of-age middle grade story that captures the wild beauty of 1970s Appalachia and the tender, fragile ties that bind us to family, faith, and magic.
Delilah knows a rattlesnake when she hears one.
After all, she was born and raised in Blackberry Holler, so when she hears that telltale rattle, she doesn’t panic. She knows her pet racoon, Freddy, will come catch the snake for his breakfast. But Freddy doesn’t come, and disaster almost strikes—until Delilah is rescued by a traveling preacher. Turns out, Brother Jones is setting up a revival church on their rural Appalachian mountain.
At first this seems like a godsend to Delilah. Her older sister, Eve, used to be her best friend, but now Eve is acting all grown up. Church might bring them back together. Their wild little sister, Jezzie, sure could use some religion too. But when the churchgoers start to speak strange words and handle venomous snakes, Delilah isn’t so certain—especially after Brother Jones condemns her hill magic as witchcraft. Worse yet, an old, frightening folktale seems to be coming true. Now worried for herself and her sisters, Delilah must figure out what she believes—and fast.
Delilah knows a rattlesnake when she hears one.
After all, she was born and raised in Blackberry Holler, so when she hears that telltale rattle, she doesn’t panic. She knows her pet racoon, Freddy, will come catch the snake for his breakfast. But Freddy doesn’t come, and disaster almost strikes—until Delilah is rescued by a traveling preacher. Turns out, Brother Jones is setting up a revival church on their rural Appalachian mountain.
At first this seems like a godsend to Delilah. Her older sister, Eve, used to be her best friend, but now Eve is acting all grown up. Church might bring them back together. Their wild little sister, Jezzie, sure could use some religion too. But when the churchgoers start to speak strange words and handle venomous snakes, Delilah isn’t so certain—especially after Brother Jones condemns her hill magic as witchcraft. Worse yet, an old, frightening folktale seems to be coming true. Now worried for herself and her sisters, Delilah must figure out what she believes—and fast.
About The Author
Photograph © Jessica Kasper Kramer
J. Kasper Kramer is the author of the acclaimed novel The Story That Cannot Be Told as well as The List of Unspeakable Fears, Eyes on the Sky, and Serpent on the Mountain. She’s an author and English professor in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She has a master’s degree in creative writing and once upon a time lived in Japan, where she taught at an international school. When she’s not curled up with a book, Kramer loves researching lost fairy tales, playing video games, and fostering kittens. Visit her at JKasperKramer.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (June 16, 2026)
- Length: 320 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665944199
- Grades: 3 - 7
- Ages: 8 - 12
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Raves and Reviews
* “Kramer’s Appalachia feels sweet and true, with plenty of nuance and also a pet raccoon. Delilah’s relationships with her parents and sisters, her first crush, and her first period are drawn with detailed grace. A fascinating author’s note offers cultural and historical context for the story as well as insights into Kramer’s personal experiences and research. An intricate, emotional story unfolding in a beautifully rendered setting.”
– Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
* “Complex questions of faith and tolerance are handled delicately, as Delilah learns that while it is important to respect different beliefs, it is unacceptable to put others in danger. . . . Vivid descriptions evoke a strong sense of the 1970s rural Tennessee setting. . . . A thoughtful and unique story of faith and growing up.”
– School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“Delilah’s perceptive first-person narration and imagery-rich language conjures a chilling Appalachian backdrop populated by strong, memorably rendered . . . characters. It’s an ominous tale that thoughtfully explores cultural tensions and competing beliefs.”
– Publishers Weekly
“Ruminative yet plot-driven, this invites readers to experience a story that feels rooted in the 1970s but is also relevant today. The writing’s strong sense of place adds some much- needed Appalachian flair to the shelves and shows how stereotypes can break us and be broken.”
– Booklist
Awards and Honors
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Resources and Downloads
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