Bringing the Past to Life
The Bronze Dagger
Volume 1 of Ancient Elements
Available now through Hicklebee’s Bookstore,
Sunbury Press, Barnes & Noble.com, and
Amazon.com
Twelve-year-old Samsuluna lives in Mesopotamia during the reign of Hammurabi (1780 BC), but has no place to call home. The lies that Sam spins about the stolen jewels and the death of his father threaten to catch up with him. Will Sam ever learn how to trust his new friends, overcome his quest for revenge, or solve the mystery of the stolen jewels? The Bronze Dagger, a middle grade historical fiction novel, is perfect for classes studying Ancient Mesopotamia, or just as a fun, adventurous read for any age!
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction (ages 10-14)
A trailer of The Bronze Dagger is available at: https://youtu.be/QoXmqA1mXa8
For more information, visit www.thebronzedagger.com.
Dr. Sontag is available to speak in classrooms, schools, libraries, bookstores and book clubs about her books in the Ancient Elements series as well as the Warsaw Rising series. When visiting readers, she is always accompanied by her authenticated artifacts, including a 3,000-year-old bronze dagger from Ancient Mesopotamia (c. 1700 BC), an ancient Egyptian alabaster jar (Middle Kingdom, c. 2061-1803 BC), and an ancient Phoenician coin. She hopes to acquire an artifact from Poland’s struggle with Germany during WWII in the near future.
The Alabaster Jar
Volume Two of Ancient Elements
Available now through Hicklebee’s Bookstore,
Sunbury Press, Barnes & Noble.com, and
Amazon.com
The Alabaster Jar, volume two of the Ancient Elements series, follows Samsuluna (Sam) from Ancient Babylonia to Egypt with his adopted family where he learns more about the healing arts. The pressures of a foreign culture and Sam’s quest to solve a tomb raiding mystery threaten to tear his new family apart. A preview of chapter one is available on The Alabaster Jar page. New in The Alabaster Jar: artwork created by Marsha Ottum Owen.
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction (ages 10-14)
The Silver Coin
Volume Three of Ancient Elements
Available now through Hicklebee’s Bookstore,
Sunbury Press, Barnes & Noble.com, and
Amazon.com
In The Silver Coin, book three of the Ancient Elements Series, Sam and Amata find themselves living in different countries where each must find the courage to face unjust leaders, choose life over love, and ultimately choose between revenge or forgiveness.
Amata remains in Egypt and finds herself in the middle of a political power struggle. Sam travels from
Egypt to Crete, Cyprus, and then Phoenicia in search of his uncle Zim. Both
Sam and Amata encounter love interests, but must choose between love and survival
as they navigate the dangers of the ancient world. Ultimately, Sam faces the
danger of a vengeful father, challenging Sam's understanding of true love and
forgiveness.
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction (ages 10-14)
Rising Hope
Book 1: Warsaw Rising Trilogy
Available now through Sunbury Press, Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble.com
A video of chapter 1, narrated in Polish with images and background music can be seen at: vimeo.com/227688603
Rising Hope, book one of the Warsaw Rising Trilogy - Six Polish teens find hope in spite of great loss when their Boy Scout and Girl Guides troops fight alongside the Polish Underground Army during WWII, culminating in the 1944 Warsaw Rising.
YA Historical Fiction (ages 14-adult)
A Polish narration video of chapter 1 is available at: vimeo.com/227688603
A book trailer is available at: http://youtu.be/_AwZhJ9pGBY.
Singalong Burong spoke through the shane and then to man. "Capture the yellow man's treasure, the white, the red, and the tan. Hide it near the Sirih", was Singalong Burong's command. Solve the mystery of this riddle to help Jared and Lindsey find the lost Dyak treasure. First published in Kids! magazine, December/January 1990.
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction (ages 8-12)
Travel with 7th grader Katie and 16-year-old Nick as they paddle down the jungle rivers of Kalimantan into unknown danger. First published in Clubhouse magazine, March 1992, by Focus on the Family.
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction (ages 8-12)
Read the adventure
Hear the adventure read by the author: (1) (2) (3)
You are the son of a cook in Olsztyn (Ol’-shten) Castle in Poland. The year is AD 1521. The astronomer, Nicholas Copernicus, administrates the castle and talks to you about his astronomy experiments. When the Teutonic Knights besiege the castle, Copernicus sends you on a dangerous mission. The choices you make will determine the fate of the castle and everyone in it! This "Choose Your Own Adventure" styled story was first published in Clubhouse magazine in May 2000 by Focus on the Family.
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction (ages 8-12)
Join Prince Aeneas as he flees burning Troy in order to fulfill the prophecy of founding what will later become Rome. Aeneas must overcome struggles between the gods and goddesses in his quest to discover his true fate. Based on Virgil’s classic Aeneid (written in Latin around 19 BC), this adventure transports readers back to 1200 BC. Aeneid Jr. is a paraphrased, abridged version of the Aeneid based on John Dryden's translation of the Aeneid, written with middle grade students in mind.
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction (ages 10-14)
Read the adventure
Lesson Plans
When Love Is Not Perfect helps those suffering from the wounds of abuse discover a reparenting process that can bring healing to damaged emotions. Written from a survivor's viewpoint, this book covers the emotional, social, and psychological aspects of recovery, as well as the spiritual dimension. It is available through Amazon.com. Published by Aglow Publications, 1991.
Genre: Adult Non-Fiction
Podiobook Audio. - For a short time, all 12 chapters are also now available for free in audio form. To listen or download the audio files, go to scribl.com.
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