February 2016

“Cool,” Cooper said. “We’ll check him out before we leave. Okay, please keep looking, and I’ll talk to you later.” Cooper called Jamal and Simon next. “Did you really just call us ‘Team Jamon’?” Jamal said. “Yeah, it’s a combination of...oh, never mind. Did you find anything?” “Nothing,” Jamal said disappointedly. “No Devil hoof prints or anything like that. Just read more

The last person Cooper spoke with before he and Chelsea reached the top was Mr. C., who had apparently searched every inch of the park that everyone else hadn’t—and, just like the rest of them, did not find any sign of the seeds. “Man,” Cooper said just before they reached the top of the lighthouse. “I’m starting to get discouraged.” read more

Chelsea leaned down and sniffed it. “Oh yuck—that’s where the smell is coming from!” “Yeah, the Jersey Devil has a serious body odor problem.” Chelsea laughed. “No, duh. It’s because he’s all hot and everything, and when he touched it—” Cooper rolled his eyes. “I know that, I was just trying to be funny.” “You’re hilarious. So come on, uncrumple read more

“Hey, you’re back!” he said. Cooper looked puzzled. “Excuse me?” “You’re back! I thought you were heading to Newark!” “Newark? I don’t know what—” Then Cooper understood, and his mouth fell open. “Wait, you’ve smelled this before?” He waved the crumpled library flyer in the air in front of the man. “Yeah, sure. You were here two days ago. I read more

“I’m hungry,” groaned Cooper. On cue his stomach grumbled loud enough for everyone to hear, and his fellow Trackers laughed in good fun as the bookmobile turned off the exit ramp and chugged up Route 280 heading for Newark. “What have I been telling you for the last twenty miles since we left the Lighthouse down in Barnegat. I’m starving.” read more

The group hurried along the brick path and under the Rutgers-Newark archway to the flight of steps leading to the John Cotton Dana Library. Once inside, the group crammed into the elevator and Gabby pushed the button heading for the fourth floor and the Institute of Jazz Studies. A soft bing announced their arrival and the door slid open. The read more

“Sir, I know that may sound odd,” continued Mr. C to his fellow librarian, “But my Trackers and I are on a mission looking for an extremely important clue that could have serious and long consequential effects if we are not able to solve this mystery. All we know for sure, is that the fate of many and this university read more

Maya crouched behind Gabby’s shoulder watching her fingers fly on the keyboard. “Look—there!” she pointed. “I knew it! Ella Fitzgerald!” “Okay,” said a puzzled Gabby. “Ella Fitzgerald. So?” “I’m beginning to see the light.” “Uh . . . what?” “One of her songs—‘I’m Beginning to See The Light.’ We’re on the right track, get it?” “Sort of. Is that the read more

Maya started humming again. “ . . . cloudy day . . . sunny . . . makes a bee think of honey . . .” “Honey?” “ . . . Starts you asking a daisy . . . what to do . . . what to do . . .” Maya stopped singing and stared at Gabby wide-eyed. “DAISIES!” read more

“Mr. C!” called out Gabby, waving her arms as Maya slid out the card and began reading. “Hurry! We found a clue!” “Good work, girls!” said Mr. C as everyone quickly surrounded Maya. “What does the note say?” asked Simon huddling close to Gabby as they both peeked over her shoulder. Maya took a breath. “It says… ‘Your observation skills read more