Young Joe Wood has a dream: to run his own newspaper. And when a cousin dies and leaves him a printing press, he has a chance to make the dream come true.

Little does he know that he and his press will soon become the town’s main source of news as the nation plunges into a civil war, and he and his friends will face personal and public challenges they never could have imagined.

Maine author Lea Wait tells the story of Joe and his friends in her new young adult historical novel, “Uncertain Glory,” to be released April 4 from Islandport Press.

Join Wait to celebrate the launch of Uncertain Glory on Sunday, April 6, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Le Garage Restaurant, 15 Water Street in Wiscasset. The author will make brief remarks, to be followed by book sales/signing, light refreshments and a cash bar. The event is free and open to the public.

Wait will also be at the Wiscasset Public Library on Tuesday, April 22, at 3 p.m. for a reading and signing. The library is located at 21 High Street, Wiscasset. For more information, call 207-882-7161.

The book is already earning advance praise. Publishers Weekly says, “this excellent historical coming-of-age novel set at the dawn of the American Civil War ... (is) a fascinating look at small-town life during a pivotal moment in American history.” Kirkus Reviews calls it “a worthy and entertaining trip back through time.”

She also writes the popular Shadows Antique Print Mystery series, traditional adult mysteries featuring antique print dealer and community college professor Maggie Summer. She is married to artist Bob Thomas, and blogs at www.mainecrimewriters.com with nine other Maine mystery writers. Learn more about her at www.leawait.com.

Islandport Press is a dynamic, award-winning publisher dedicated to stories rooted in the essence and sensibilities of New England. For more information, please call 207-846-3344, visit www.islandportpress.com or email info@islandportpress.com.