Mount Morris, West Virginia – Local writer Natalie Eddy has added a new title to her popular children’s series, The Adventures of Charlie. The 38‑page paperback, The Adventures of Charlie: The Mason‑Dixon Line, is now available on Amazon and aims to make regional history accessible and enjoyable for kids ages four to twelve.
Storyline blends adventure with real history
In the book, third‑grader Charlie, named after Eddy’s grandson, struggles with a school report on the Mason‑Dixon Line. He sets out with his dog, Jenny, to the nearby Mason‑Dixon Historical Park, where he meets McDoogle, a colorful Scottish bird who can travel through time. Together they journey back to the 1760s and encounter Charles Mason, an astronomer, and Jeremiah Dixon, a surveyor, who surveyed the famous boundary that later separated slave and free territories during the Civil War.
“I wanted to weave local landmarks and history into a children’s adventure so it feels relatable and fun,” Eddy said. “Kids often see history as just dates, but when they see real people doing incredible things, it becomes alive.”
Family collaboration fuels the project
The book’s design was handled by Eddy’s daughter‑in‑law, Heather Eddy, who also created the characters using an AI‑assisted program to keep them consistent across the series. Heather, a pharmacist, described the work as a blend of her technical background and creative side. “It’s a great hobby that lets me help Natalie while using my skills,” she explained.
Family members contributed ideas throughout the process. Eddy’s husband and sons offered suggestions, and Heather, who is expecting a baby girl in October, hopes the series will become a family heirloom.
Educational value for local schools
Teachers in the region have expressed interest in the book as a supplemental resource for history lessons. By presenting the Mason‑Dixon survey as an adventure, the story aligns with classroom goals of making historical events tangible for young learners. The narrative also touches on the broader significance of the line as a dividing marker between slave and free states, providing a gentle introduction to complex topics.
“It’s a wonderful way to spark curiosity about our state’s role in the nation’s story,” said a local elementary school librarian who reviewed the book.
About the author
Natalie Eddy is a retired adjunct professor at West Virginia University and currently teaches at Southern New Hampshire University. Her career includes magazine writing for international environmental publications, public‑relations work at WVU, and reporting for the Uniontown Herald‑Standard.
With the release of the second installment, Eddy plans to continue expanding Charlie’s adventures, exploring other local landmarks and historical moments that shaped West Virginia and the nation.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
