Trampoline

Tenth anniversary edition, with a new introduction by Darnell Arnoult, Sandra L. Ballard, Marianne Worthington, and Gillian Berchowitz and a new afterword by Beth Macy

First published in 2015, Trampoline introduced readers to Dawn Jewell, a fierce, funny, and unforgettable fifteen year old navigating the complexities of family, activism, and identity in eastern Kentucky. With a voice as raw and real as the Appalachian landscape she inhabits, Dawn becomes an unlikely fighter in her grandmother’s crusade against mountaintop removal mining-while wrestling with her own need for escape and self-discovery.

This tenth anniversary edition celebrates the enduring power of Robert Gipe’s illustrated debut novel, the first in the acclaimed Canard County Trilogy, rounded out by his later novels Weedeater (2018) and Pop (2021). Gipe’s storytelling-rooted in oral tradition and punctuated by his signature hand-drawn illustrations-captures the grit, humor, and heart of a region too often misunderstood. His portrayal of Appalachia is both unflinching and deeply loving.

The new edition features an afterword by bestselling author Beth Macy (Dopesick, Raising Lazarus). It also includes an collective introduction by Darnell Arnoult, Sandra L. Ballard, Marianne Worthington, and Gillian Berchowitz, offering insight into the novel’s place in Appalachian literature and its influence on a generation of readers and writers.

Limited to 1,000 copies, this commemorative edition is a tribute to a beloved book and its visionary author. Whether you’re discovering Dawn Jewell for the first time or returning to Canard County, Trampoline remains a vital, vibrant portrait of a young woman-and a region-fighting to be heard.

Author Biography

Robert Gipe is the author of the award-winning Canard County Trilogy – Trampoline, Weedeater, and Pop—published by Ohio University Press. His debut novel, Trampoline, received the Weatherford Award for outstanding Appalachian novel, and the trilogy was honored with the Judy Gaines Young Book Award. Gipe’s illustrated storytelling and unforgettable characters have made him a leading voice in Appalachian literature. He is the founding producer of the Higher Ground community performance series and his creative work extends to film and television, including contributions to Hulu’s Dopesick and the feature film The Evening Hour. Gipe grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, and lives in Harlan County, Kentucky, where his writing continues to celebrate the complexity, humor, and resilience of Appalachian life.