About Stronger Together (Cul-de-sac Kids Book 2) by A. L. Zeine
Stronger Together is a heartfelt chapter book about resilience, friendship, and finding your place when life is always on the move. Written by pediatrician and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel A.L. Zeine, this story shines a light on the often-overlooked experiences of military kids.
Chloe is used to moving—it’s part of being an Army brat. But this time, she actually feels at home. Her mom’s schedule is better, her best friend Ella is just down the street, and the Cul-de-sac Kids have welcomed her with open arms. Life is finally settling down.
But Chloe’s heart is still tugged in another direction—back to her old home, where her other best friend Mia feels left behind. When Ella’s dad is suddenly deployed, Chloe’s world shifts again. She wants to be the glue holding everyone together, but how do you stay strong for everyone else when you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself?
Perfect for readers ages 8–12, Stronger Together offers an honest look at the emotional ups and downs of military life, long-distance friendships, and the courage it takes to grow and change. With warmth and empathy, this story reminds us that no matter the challenge, love and friendship stretch farther than any deployment ever could.
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Author Bio:
Amanda L. Zeine, DO, is a board-certified pediatrician, wife, mother, and Lieutenant Colonel (ret). Dr. Zeine was born and raised in a small town in Central Illinois. She dreamed as a child of becoming a doctor and, after high school, attended Illinois State University while participating in the ROTC program. She graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor in Science degree in Biology. With an educational delay granted from the United States Army, she attended Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. After graduating as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007, she attended her pediatric residency with the United States Army at Tripler Army Medical Center. While in residency, she was blessed with a beautiful daughter. After graduation, she was moved to Ft. Campbell, KY and has practiced as a pediatrician and Army flight surgeon. While serving as a flight surgeon, she has been deployed twice. She married again in 2017 and lives happily with her husband in Clarksville, TN. In December 2018, Dr. Zeine sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury. With an eleven-year career as a physician, she had a loss of identity when she could no longer practice effectively as a physician. It was then that she wrote her first book, Hot Mess to Wellness. She is currently writing a new series of chapter books called Cul-de-sac kids, the first of which is Chloe the “Military Brat.”