Tyler Benson | The Adventures of Onyx

Join us Saturday, June 3rd, 1-2pm for a FREE in-store event with The Adventures of Onyx series author Tyler Benson.

Mark your calendars! This event is best for ages 5 & up, but all are welcome. RSVP by emailing events@mcleanandeakin.com with the number of children and adults in your party or by calling 231.347.1180

About the book -- 

One stormy night, a homeless dog looking for shelter wanders onto a Coast Guard station in St. Ignace Michigan. She finds a dry and cozy hiding spot inside a boat’s compartment. When the boat launches and heads into the Straits of Mackinac for a search and rescue mission, the frightened dog is still hidden on board. But when the tireless Coasties are working to save a man overboard, Onyx the dog surprises everyone with her bravery, and she finds more than a home—she finds a purpose.

About the Author --

Author Tyler Benson is from St. Louis, Michigan.  He has served in the United States Coast Guard for over 20 years.   He began writing short stories about his search and rescue adventures in the Coast Guard to educate his four young children about what Daddy does when he goes on duty for 48 hours at a time.  He wanted them to learn the importance of service to their country and helping those in need.  To help them better understand his job, Tyler wrote the stories featuring his station’s morale dog, Onyx.  These stories soon evolved into a dream—to publish a book series that would serve as a tribute and a way to bring recognition to all who serve or have served in the United States Coast Guard. Tyler and Kristy currently reside in Petoskey, Michigan, with their four children-Olivia, Annie, Charlotte & Parker.

Event date: 
Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Event address: 
307 E. Lake St
Petoskey, MI 49770
The Adventures of Onyx and The Guardians of the Straits By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$13.99
ISBN: 9780615627373
Availability: Special Order
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - August 1st, 2012

One stormy night, a homeless dog looking for shelter wanders onto a Coast Guard station in St.


The Adventures of Onyx and The Gales of November By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9780989284608
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - July 16th, 2013

One windy, November day, a cry for help comes into the Coast Guard Station in St.


The Adventures of Onyx and The Fight Against the Falls By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9780989284622
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - December 3rd, 2013

In this non-stop adventure, Onyx and her fellow Coasties work with the Buffalo Police to save a sinking yacht.  Then the Coast Guard must enter the dangerous exclusionary zone of Niagara Falls to rescue a family trappedon a disabled, drifting boat.

The current of the Falls is too strong for them to continue, so it's up to Onyx to swim a tow line to the family aboard the boat in trouble. 


The Adventures of Onyx and The Angels in the Air By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9780989284639
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - July 15th, 2014

Onyx and the Guardians of the Straits are back in another exciting adventure!  During routine helicopter operations with Air Station Traverse City, the Coast Guard is suddenly called to rescue a mother and daughter stranded in Lake Michigan.

When the crew spots the capsized sailboat, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer wastes no time.  The mother needs immediate medical attention and the littl


The Adventures of Onyx and The Mighty Mackinaw By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$14.99
Email or call for price
ISBN: 9780989284646
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - December 9th, 2014

Onyx and Hogan are ready for another adventure, but this time they aren't on a mission to save lives, they're on a mission to save Christmas! Once a year the Mighty Mackinaw becomes the Christmas Tree Ship, delivering trees to families in Chicago who might otherwise have to go without a Christmass tree. This year Onyx and Hogan are along for the ride!  But as the 240-foot


The Adventures of Onyx and The Battle of the Bay Class Dogs By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9780989284653
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - July 14th, 2015

Onyx and Hogan are celebrating at the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Michigan, when they are called back to duty to battle the blaze of a tug and fuel barge that is on fire in Lake Michigan.  When the captain arrives on the bridge to brief the crew, she introduces Onyx and Hogan to their newest crewmember, Remi, another Coast Guard morale dog!  For this heart-stopping adventure, Hogan wil


The Adventures of Onyx and The Far Side of the Lakes By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9780989284660
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - December 1st, 2015

Hogan and Onyx are aboard the U.S.


The Adventures of Onyx and The Saginaw River Ice Rescuers By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9780989284684
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - December 6th, 2016

Hogan and Onyx are training at the Coast Guard's National Ice Rescue School in Essexville, Michigan, when their instructor receives an urgent call about a snowmobiler who has fallen through the ice. There is no time to waste, and Hogan, Onyx, and the rest of the trainees must get to work right away. When the Coasties reach the man in distress, it is clear that he is suffering from


The Adventures of Onyx and The Race to Mackinac By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9780989284615
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - April 9th, 2019

The Chicago to Mackinac Island sailboat race has entered the final mile of their 333 mile journey, but they're in trouble. An overnight weather shift is causing high gusts and huge waves. More than 350 sailboats are trying to make it to the finish line in the Round Island Passage. The Coast Guard is on high alert, but Onyx's puppies, Search and Rescue, are rambunctious an


The Adventures of Onyx and The Lords of the Lakes By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tyler Benson, David Geister (Illustrator)
$19.99
ISBN: 9798985920208
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - September 6th, 2022

It is Onyx's last mission. She and the crew must save more than a hundred people trapped on a half-mile slab of ice that has broken loose from the shoreline and drifted into the Straits of Mackinac. This rescue mission will take the response of every cutter, helicopter, airboat, and ice rescuer in the area—the Lords of the Lakes.


Rosie the Response Boat By Tyler Benson, Kristy Benson, Steve Mark (Illustrator) Cover Image
$8.95
ISBN: 9780989284677
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ensign Benson Books LLC - July 5th, 2016

Rosie the Response Boat is the newest Coast Guard team member. She is a good leader and works with the other rescue boats to teach new Coasties how to prepare for missions. Proppie is mistrustful of Rosie because she is new and different. But when Proppie has mechanical problems and is frightened, he discovers that Rosie is not only a good leader, but she is also a great friend.