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The Legend of the Silver Star
The Legend of the Silver Star is a thrilling children’s adventure that follows siblings Gabby and Anthony as they journey through time via a magical pine box in their Aunt Sophie’s attic. Transported to the Old West, they meet legendary U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves and find themselves embroiled in a mission to deliver a dangerous outlaw to justice. Along the way, they encounter blacksmiths, bandits, cattle rustlers, and a caring Chickasaw community, learning valuable lessons about bravery, honesty, and the power of standing up for what’s right. Full of charm, danger, and heart, the story weaves together history and fantasy into a compelling ride.
The book is written with such energy and warmth, and the pacing is spot-on. The dialogue feels real, the characters are instantly likable, and there’s a lot of clever humor woven in. Gabby, with her sharp wit and fearless spirit, is an absolute standout. And Bass Reeves? What a figure. He’s cool, wise, and full of grit. The writing isn’t flowery or complex, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s punchy and clear, the kind that makes young readers sit up and hang on every word. The story moves quickly but never feels rushed. It’s adventurous without being scary, smart without being preachy.
I enjoyed the depth packed into this short book. It introduces big ideas like racism, justice, and courage, without ever feeling heavy. There’s a real tenderness in how the story handles fear, responsibility, and teamwork. I found myself grinning at the kids’ antics one moment and getting choked up the next. The way the book highlights Bass Reeves, a historical figure often overlooked, is powerful. I felt genuinely moved by the ending, especially the moment with the silver stars. That got me.
This book is a gem. I’d recommend it to kids in upper elementary grades, especially those who love action, history, or stories with gutsy young heroes. It’s also a great read-aloud for classrooms or families. There’s something magical about how it mixes real history with fantasy. I walked away from it not just entertained, but inspired. If you’re looking for a story that makes kids feel brave and seen, this one’s for you.
Pages: 101 | ISBN : 1959110136
Kid Pharaoh
The Secret Key Adventures: The Kid Pharaoh is a time-traveling adventure that follows siblings Anthony and Gabby as they stumble into ancient Egypt via a mysterious special key gifted by their eccentric Aunt Sophie. They meet the young Tutankhaten, soon to be King Tut, and after an uncanny resemblance between Anthony and the boy pharaoh, a classic switcheroo sets off a chain of risky encounters, political intrigue, and personal growth. The story combines humor, suspense, and history in a fast-paced narrative packed with colorful characters, vivid settings, and plenty of heart.
What struck me first was how fun this book is to read. It’s loaded with personality. Anthony’s wide-eyed curiosity and Gabby’s razor-sharp wit make for a perfect sibling duo. Their banter felt real and funny. I was especially charmed by Tut himself. He’s playful, burdened, and a little rebellious, which makes him relatable. I didn’t expect to laugh, but moments like the ostrich egg breakfast or Tut’s street market blunders genuinely cracked me up. The pacing is brisk without feeling rushed, and the short chapters kept me flipping pages. The language is simple and accessible, but never dumbed-down. It’s the kind of storytelling that respects its young audience.
The book surprised me with how layered it is. Behind all the comedy and chariot chases, there’s a thoughtful message about responsibility and leadership. Anthony starts off wanting adventure, only to realize that being Pharaoh means more than parades and fancy clothes. Gabby’s arc was especially powerful. Her experience as a servant opens her eyes to inequality and unfairness, and she comes out stronger for it. The villain, Baki, is just the right amount of creepy without being cartoonish. The tension builds slowly, and the final scenes had me holding my breath. There’s also a real emotional payoff at the end.
The Kid Pharaoh is a total win. It blends imagination and history in a way that feels fresh and exciting. Young readers who love adventure, history, or sibling hijinks will have a great time reading this book. But honestly, even as an adult, I had a blast with it. This book would be perfect for middle-grade readers, classrooms studying ancient civilizations, or any kid who dreams of opening a secret door and ending up somewhere wild. It’s clever, heartfelt, and just plain fun.
Pages: 102 | ISBN : 1959110039
Time Travel and Time Slips
Lisa Nicell Treanor Author Interview
Once Upon a Time Slip follows young China Winter as she discovers her ability to cross worlds and finds herself summoned by the father of time travel to save humanity. What was the inspiration behind the setup to this thrilling novel?
I am absolutely fascinated by the paranormal, history and the whole steampunk movement. As an artist, a lot of my paintings and sculptures are heavily influenced by these three genres and my interest in art eventually began to seep into my writing. I have a love of antiques and learning as much as I can about past inventors. I also read a lot of scientific journals and have a huge interest in the whole concept of parallel universes, time travel and time slips. My biggest inspiration behind the book was the great Nikola Tesla. Other influences have been the volumes of history books and war stories I have devoured over the years. I wanted contrast in the story and so my main character is a futuristic, steampunk girl. I liked the idea of having a protagonist who would be willing to sacrifice themselves in order to save the whole of humanity if it was necessary.
China Winter is an intriguing character that continues to develop throughout the novel. What were some obstacles you felt were important, to highlight her character development?
The biggest obstacle for China was having to choose sides in war which seemed to have no boundaries. Her loyalties were being tested throughout the story. Being faced with life altering decisions which would have led to suffering and loss, was the ultimate challenge for such a young girl. Falling in love with a dead man led to a fork in her path of destiny.
The story takes place in a steampunk future where wild inventions abound. What were you favorite inventions or tech to create and write for?
Without giving too much away, I loved creating new time travel devices throughout the story. I felt that it was necessary to have more than one mode of time travel transportation in order to give the full impact of how extremely advanced technology is yet to become within the future.
I especially loved writing scenes where ghosts from the past would react to futuristic technology and end up coming to all manner of baffling and humorous conclusions about what they were witnessing
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently working on the sequel to Once Upon A Time Slip which will become available in 2019. I cannot leave the readers breathless and tingling with anticipation as they stand at the edge of a mighty cliff hanger!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
![Once Upon A Time Slip by [Nicell Treanor, Lisa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TDWlGbnnL.jpg)
The future will crumble as history re-writes itself in the great time travel apocalypse.
It is the year 2258 when nineteen year old China Winter discovers her ability to cross the veil between worlds. On a quest to find her missing brother Maddox, she finds herself summoned by the father of time travel – Nikola Tesla to help save the whole of humanity; both past and future souls. China must sacrifice so much as she is dragged ever deeper into a treacherous and eternal time war.
Stepping back in time from her steampunk-esque existence, China finds herself caught up in the most incredible battles. Every army that ever existed can materialise in the wrong time or place, at any given moment to lay siege upon the earth. Slipping back and forth between the mists of time, history re-writes itself, playing havoc on the very fabric of reality. Can she survive the world of hauntings, poltergeist manifestations and time slips to save the universe from complete obliteration?
LITERARY TITAN 