February 2016

“This has been fun,” Simon whispered so Miss Malone couldn’t hear, “but the tour is almost over and we’re not any closer to finding out why the Jersey Devil took those seeds.” “You said he was tricky, right?” Maya asked Simon, who nodded. “So if he led us here he must be trying to tell us something.” “And what better read more

“Quick everyone,” Mr. C said, “look for a message somewhere, something that stands out. Be careful not to trip in the dark.” “I think I found it!” Chelsea shouted. Everyone hurried over to her. She pointed at the wall. About a foot off the ground, behind a huge boulder, a picture of a stack of books had been drawn in read more

It was Gabby’s turn to sit in the front seat next to Mr. C. “So what did you think of the Sterling Mine, Gabby?” Mr. C asked. “That Rainbow Room was the best! I didn’t even know about fluorescent minerals before today. It was like magic the way they changed from ordinary-looking rocks to out-of–this-world beautiful! I wish my younger read more

“Cool!” Gabby said and by the time they arrived, she had managed to find out a few interesting facts about their destination, like that the building was built with money donated one hundred-thirty years ago by Mary Elizabeth Danforth as a memorial to her father, and it claimed to be the oldest public library in New Jersey. “What kinds of read more

Cooper jumped in. “Oh! Let me guess! Mount Rushmore?” “Not even close,” Gabby said. “The Statue of Liberty?” “Nope.” “The Empire State Building? Yankee Stadium? The White House?” “No. No. And no but at least you’re getting warmer. Henry Bacon, the man who designed this library building also designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.” “That’s the one with that read more

“And calling ourselves the Jersey Trackers doesn’t make us trackers unless we get on the trail and find those seeds!” Mr. C. told them. “Now let’s get tracking!” They climbed the front steps, making plans out loud for what part of the library grounds they were heading for. Jamal and Chelsea decided to search around the outside of the building read more

“I’m not seeing any seeds,” Cooper said. “Or hoof prints in the carpet.” He squatted down next to Gabby and read some of the titles: The Gardening Book … Gardening Fun… Wildlife Gardening. . . Kids Container Gardening . . . Did you find something, Gabby?” he asked as she pulled three books from the shelf. “Somebody must have put read more

Cooper didn’t stop talking once during the entire journey to Long Beach Island. Not once. “...and then, my sister let out this blood-curdling scream and jumped from the water, and there was a crab attached to her big toe!” He was laughing so hard that the others became worried he might pass out. “Lovely,” Mr. C. said from his seat read more

“Whoa!” Simon said. “It’s beautiful!” Gabby added. “It really is!” Chelsea added on top of that. “It was built in the 1830s with money from Congress,” Cooper said. “Just six thousand bucks,” Mr. C. interjected. “Isn’t that right?” Cooper nodded. “Right.” “You couldn’t even buy a new car for that today,” Mr. C. said. “Yeah, but you can’t drive around read more

Mr. C. parked the bookmobile and everyone got out. It didn’t take long for the group to discover there was much more to the area than the lighthouse itself. Old Barney stood on the north side of Barnegat State Park, which also had an interpretive center, a picnic area, a breathtaking view of the inlet and the ocean beyond, and read more