Inspired by an article about a scientific discovery regarding nanoparticles that cause water to boil within 20 seconds, in Briarwood , Natalie Hyde imagines an environmentally-friendly steam technology and all the amazing inventions that could use it. Briarwood balances sharp, laugh-out-loud dialogue and a suspenseful plot with important issues of family, immigration, environmentalism, and friendship. Natalie's works have been nominated for many awards including the Silver Birch and Silver Birch Express Award, the Red Cedar Book Award, the Rocky Mountain Book Award, the Hackmatack Award, the Nutmeg Book Award, and the IODE Violet Downey Book. Her books have also been included in Resource Links' Best Books of the Year and OLA Best Bets. Briarwood blends steampunk and nature elements, featuring inventions such as treehouses camouflaged into the forest, a metal moving bridge to travel between trees, and walking stick bugs that are secretly recording devices.