Pepper’s
Misadventure is the second children’s, chapter book in the Amelia Jae
Series. (AJ’s Wish is the first). AJ and her mother are driving their new kitty,
Pepper, to the veterinarian when they are in a fender bender. AJ doesn’t listen to her mom and takes Pepper
out of her carrier. Pepper is
frightened, jumps out of AJ’s arms and runs away.
Excerpt
from Pepper's Misadventure
On the way to Dr. Simon’s office, Mom stopped at a stop sign. As she drove the car through the intersection, a car coming from a side street didn’t stop. Suddenly, there was a
screech of tires and then a hard jolt. The car hit them in the side, putting a
large dent in the left back door. AJ and Mom were stunned for a moment.
“Are you hurt? Are you all right?” asked Mom.
“I’m okay, but my heart is
pounding, and I’m a little shaky,” said AJ. Her face was pale beneath her
freckles.
“Let’s get out while I call the
police. Leave Pepper in the car,” said Mom. AJ and Mom got out of the car. Mom went to talk to the driver who hit them and to call the police.
“I’ll just check you out,” said AJ as she slid Pepper’s carrier across the seat. She opened the carrier door and lifted Pepper out. As Mom was talking to the police on the phone, she
saw AJ take Pepper out of the carrier.
“Amelia Jae, I told you to leave
Pepper in the car. Put her back in there right now,” said Mom. “It’s not safe
for her to be out of it.”
“But Mom, I just wanted to make
sure she was okay,” said AJ.
“Put her back now, Amelia Jae,”
said Mom.
AJ reached for the carrier to put
Pepper back in the car. A dog in the back seat of the other car barked loudly.
Startled, Pepper jumped out of AJ’s arms. The dog saw Pepper and barked even louder as it scratched at the window. Terrified, Pepper ran.
“Come back, Pepper! cried AJ.
Pepper kept running, even though she
stepped on some broken glass in the street and cut her front right paw.
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More About
the Author
Renée Filippucci-Kotz was born in New York and grew up in Kentucky. Renée
developed a passion for books and animals as a child. Going to the library with
her parents and brother was a favorite pastime. She has always loved to read.
Growing up Renée had a vivid imagination. She loved to make up
stories. She would tell stories to the children for whom she babysat
and the children at day camp where she was a counselor.
She became interested in writing for children while working with foster
children. Her first children’s chapter book, AJ’s Wish, was published in
2016. Her second chapter book in the AJ series, Pepper's Misadventure,
published in 2017, received honorable mention in the Carteret Writers Contest.
In addition, she has published her first picture book, Booker and the Stinky
Smell in 2017.
Renée recently completed her second picture book, Smokey and Clover the Runaway Goat.
To be published later this year.
She is currently working on the third book in the Amelia Jae series, Mystery at Camp Piney Woods.
When not writing, Renée enjoys reading, gardening, traveling,
volunteering at her local animal shelter and spending time with her husband and
pets. Ms. Filippucci-Kotz lives in North Carolina. Connect with her here:
