Welcome to the Official Site of Author

Mary Walerak

Embark on a journey to Finding Alineade—where a whole new world awaits your middle grader.

A Story of Growth

Dive into 'Finding Alineade', a tale filled with adventure that teaches valuable lessons to young readers about self-discovery and embracing uniqueness.

About the Author

Mary Walerak

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Finding Alineade is a middle grade fantasy about young Charlie, who is poised to set out on a journey of discovery that will reveal her abilities, truths about her friendships and her enemies, and insights that she likely will carry with her into life.

People have always said Charlie is a dreamer, but her capacity for dreaming big drives her into a bigger picture world when she journeys to Alineade carrying with her some major differences in perception that set her apart from her peers and make her stand out in the world:

Everyone seemed to have all the answers, but I just couldn’t always see them. At least I didn’t always see them in the way everyone else felt comfortable with.

As she tries to answer whether she is extraordinary or a mere oddity, Charlie brings her friends along for a curious ride just as author Mary Walerak brings readers into the excitement of Charlie’s stepping into her strengths and running into a powerful new experience:

That moment was magic. The decision was made. She was all in and willing to take chances and learn everything she could. It felt a little like the first time on a skateboard. She knew she would fall. There would be bumps and bruises, some worse than others, but what a feeling of freedom when she started to get the hang of it! Her confidence grew then, and she could feel it growing now. The only real difference was she wasn’t following what others did before her. This time she was an explorer. She would be the first to walk her own unique path. No one had ever been there before, and that made this journey all the more exciting, exhilarating, scary, and “fun!” Charlie took off running. She couldn’t wait to find her first adventure.

Powered by a magic cloak and perceptions those around her don’t seem to cultivate, Charlie experiences new things which are “exactly her idea of heaven,” stays focused on her ultimate destination, and notes the beauty and illusions of her world as her heart begins to grow and open.

Middle grade readers who choose Finding Alineade for leisure pursuit will find its incorporation of magic and emotional growth and realizations to be compelling and eye-opening. It’s the kind of story that lends well to classroom discussion and middle grade book group inspection, as well as library acquisition and recommendation.

With its wonderful, invigorating survey of novel ideas about support systems and new experiences, Charlie and her adventure comes to life in a thought-provoking, vivid manner that middle grade readers will find extraordinarily compelling.

Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, The Midwest Book Review

Mary Walerak has a BA in Psychology and an MA in Human Development. Her first love and focus has always been on positive psychology and performance enhancement. She was fortunate to become involved in the coaching movement early on and has been trained in various forms of coaching, working as both a life coach and a health coach for over 15 years.

As she entered retirement and during the pandemic, she took on the challenge of putting some of her well-earned wisdom into a whimsical story of magic and empowerment. This story, originally meant as a grandmother’s loving guide for her grandchildren, can hopefully be a helpful guide for others as well.

Enjoy this wondrous journey through the mystical land of Alineade, and always look for the magic.

Finding Alineade

Explore the book

Finding Alineade is the curious tale of a young girl named Charlie, who has left childhood behind and entered the confusing, sometimes intimidating world of middle school. Blending fantasy, a cast of unusual friends, and a formidable nemesis, the story follows Charlie as she discovers who she truly is. She learns to tap into the power within herself to become the person she has always dreamed of being. By trusting her instincts, believing in her abilities, and listening to that quiet nudge of intuition, she finds the courage to follow her own unique path.

Young readers will love this book for its sense of adventure, relatable challenges, and the magical world that feels both exciting and inspiring. Charlie’s journey shows that even the most ordinary moments can lead to extraordinary discoveries.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all step into the magical world of Alineade? Maybe, in some way, we can.