What sets Gianna apart from her fifth-grade classmates? It is her curiosity about her heritage. When an after-school history club opens, Gianna signs up. Annoying Matthew Jacobs joins too. Nonetheless, despite only knowing her mother’s name and birth date, Gianna is determined to find out “a whole lot more!” History club facilitator, Mr. Williams, seems the perfect mentor to guide her search. He is familiar with family history and knows his way around genealogy sites.
Action! The Tomb of Ptahmes begins in 1910 at an archaeological dig in the blazing Libyan Desert. This is where Carter Pinsent’s father receives a carte-de-visite from Sir Robert Ottley. Little do father and son know that the summons is the beginning of a death-defying adventure centered around the tomb of the Egyptian priest Ptahmes. When Sir Ottley and the senior Pinsent are inexplicably placed in a state of suspended animation, teens May Ottley and Carter Pinsent join forces and race against time to save their fathers’ lives.
Jayna Locke has created a wide expanse of characters and plots in a collection of captivating tales. Each contemporary story has roots Somewhere in Minnesota and in some of life’s pivotal moments. Making choices amid uncertainty and loss, these are stories of love and hope.
Dell is a donkey who is as stubborn as a mule! In bold defiance, Dell refuses the smallest of chores and would rather spend his time frolicking. But when he gets lost, he learns sometimes it is better to listen with an open mind. Then by chance, he comes upon a circus and discovers the joy of being part of a crew. When disaster strikes, he realizes he can use his conviction to save the circus. Will it be enough?
Could you find joy in the middle of a loud and wet thunderstorm? Joy is exactly what Spiker the jumping spider and his friend Crispin the cricket set out to find. Luckily, each has different talents that help them weather the storm. But the adventure does not end there. The following day and the day after, Spiker and Crispin learn more ways to share joy with new friends.
Bad to worse. Doom to gloom. That is the kind of day Tear was having. Tear tried to stay positive after he felt rushed when he was late to school. After all, recess and playing with Steve would change everything. But recess did not go as planned and things did NOT get better! The bad feelings kept building and building and building until . . .
