Suspenseful Childrens Mystery is a Thrilling Adventure Packed With Life Lessons



When Hayley and her friends stumble across a secret in the journal of her late archeologist grandfather, they know they're in for an adventure but they just don't realize how big and dangerous it will be. Join Hayley, Alex and Spence for the quest of a lifetime in English teacher Helen D. Bailie's debut novel "The Azura Stones" (ISBN 9781589823747, Bedside Books, 2007), a story filled with plenty of kid-approved imaginative fun, and edifying themes parents and teachers will appreciate.

Hayley and her best friends, Alex and Spence, were already planning a camping trip during summer break when they found an intriguing map along with her grandfather's personal expedition journal. The journal mentioned finding a lost Native American civilization and some mysterious stones that hold legendary powers. Curiosities fully sparked, Hayley, Alex and Spence set out, following the map's directions, up into the Cascade Mountains, in search of "The Azura Stones."

The suspense thickens when the children realize they're being followed: a notorious crime gang is also looking for the ancient stones and they're willing to do anything to capture the power the stones hold. This nail-biting adventure reaches an extraordinary climax as the children finally reach their destination, and find something so incredible, it just might have the power to destroy the world.

"The Azura Stones" will captivate tween and teen readers so quickly that they may be surprised to realize how much fun reading can be. As a teacher, Bailie's goal was to write an easy-to-read book full of adventure and suspense, to help encourage more children to find reading to be an enjoyable and desirable activity.

The book is targeted toward the 11- to 14-year-old age range, and contains age appropriate social and educational themes. Throughout the novel, Hayley is a model friend, demonstrating genuine loyalty no matter what Alex and Spence do. The book also teaches readers the importance of thinking about consequences before making a decision. "The Azura Stones" is packed with thrilling fun and real-life lessons: an original read on which both kids and adults enthusiastically agree.

About the Author

Helen D. Bailie resides in Brisbane, Australia, where she teaches English. She treasures the opportunities she has had to help her students develop good reading skills, excel in their chosen careers and become productive members of society. She is currently working on a sequel to "The Azura Stones" to be published next year.

"The Azura Stones" (ISBN 9781589823747, Bedside Books, 2007) can be purchased through local and online bookstores in the United States and internationally. For more information, visit www.helenbailie.com. Publicity contact: www.readerviews.com. Review copies available upon request.





Suspenseful Childrens Mystery is a Thrilling Adventure Packed With Life Lessons