
Serpent on the Mountain
J. Kasper Kramer(Author)
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 16. June 2026
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-6659-4417-5 (ISBN)
Description
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.
More details
Language
English
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Second Grade, Interest Age: From 8 to 12 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 211 mm
Width: 142 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
386 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6659-4417-5 (9781665944175)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

J. Kasper Kramer
Serpent on the Mountain
E-Book
approx. 06/2026
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
€10.87
Not yet available
Person
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.