David Scott Richardson’s new work of MG/YA historical fiction, An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze, explores life on the home front during WWII. Drawing from two decades as a sixth-grade teacher, Richardson recognizes history as the keel that keeps us upright in heavy seas and aims to forge a connection with those who were more than a generation unborn when the world went to war. Richardson’s characters convey nuanced and diverse perspectives as they work to unravel ethical knots—from the origins of war to the meaning of a promise—and shed light on how beliefs and fears influence one’s choices. His themes probe father-son conflicts, grief, and ethical dilemmas, all while invoking an innate connection with nature, compelling the heart as much as the mind. Richardson’s first MG/YA historical novel, River’s Reach: Coming of Age Amid the Fish War, was published in September 2023.