Drawn to the Night

Drawn to the Night follows Jamella Garcia, a young girl with a gift for art who finds herself navigating life after being adopted into a suburban home following a difficult foster care journey. Her fascination with animals-particularly owls-and her talent for drawing offer her comfort in a world where she feels like an outsider due to her quirks and her biracial identity. When Jamella discovers a neighboring barn housing an enigmatic old man, Skip, his black Arabian horse, and a loyal dog, an unlikely bond forms. As they confront grief, loneliness, and prejudice, Jamella’s honesty and resilience begin to heal the scars of Skip’s tragic past, while Skip’s mentorship and affection provide Jamella with stability and encouragement. This poignant coming-of-age story explores themes of belonging, forgiveness, and the profound connections that can form across generations, all while highlighting the quiet strength of a young artist determined to find her place in the world.

Author Biography

Dennis J. Kafalas has written several short stories, three novels: Fortunate Son, An Obvious Life and Whale Pirates, as well as an educational text, Inspired Learners Active Minds: A Guide for the English Classroom. He is a retired public school teacher and administrator, who lives with his wife, Barbara, in Glendale, RI. Please leave comments at denniskafalas.com.