Orphaned at a young age, thirteen-year-old Song Wei has grown up listening to his grandfather recite legends of the distant past. But his own past is a closely guarded secret. Then Song discovers an heirloom that links him to an ancient prophecy. His destiny lies within the old tales. Song must follow the path that killed his father.Mud and mire shall birth a tree;A sprout shall grow of ancient seed.The five unite to break the one;The curse of man shall be undone.But brothers rise ere dragon’s bane;The last shall smite the first again.Orphaned at a young age, thirteen-year-old Song Wei has grown up listening to his grandfather recite legends of the distant past. But it is his own history Song seeks to uncover to guide him toward the future, particularly the events surrounding his parents’ deaths. But that is a secret closely guarded by his grandfather. Then Song discovers an heirloom that links him to an ancient prophecy. His destiny lies within the old tales he has scorned. Song must follow the path that killed his father.

The Flame of Findul—the sword that guards the Tree of Life—has been allowed to burn out. The tree’s destruction means the end of life on Earth. Taylor must relight the sword, but a formidable enemy who has eaten of the Tree stands in his way."Sometimes life gooses you when you're not looking. You might be happily coasting through days in a little New Jersey suburb, dreaming about Jennifer Williams and making plans to see the new movie showing uptown when—bam!—everything changes in an instant. Your family moves overseas and suddenly you're hacking at water demons with a four-foot blade..."Yeah, that move landed me in the middle of a supernatural assignment. Angels and all that. Relighting the Flame of Findul...the sword that guards the Tree of Life...wasn't high on my bucket list. Espcially after I found out who else was looking for the sword. But since the alternative was perishing in a fiery worldwide disaster... Well, let's just say my priorities changed.I was told I'd have help. I was told I'd be in capable hands. Then I met my guardian angel. I am so doomed.

Mud and mire shall birth a tree;A sprout shall grow of ancient seed.The five unite to break the one;The curse of man shall be undone.But brothers rise ere dragon's bane;The last shall smite the first again.Orphaned at a young age, thirteen-year-old Song Wei has grown up listening to his grandfather recite legends of the distant past. But it is his own history Song seeks to uncover to guide him toward the future, particularly the events surrounding his parents' deaths. But that is a secret closely guarded by his grandfather. Then Song discovers an heirloom that links him to an ancient prophecy. His destiny lies within the old tales he has scorned. Song must follow the path that killed his father.

Taylor didn't want to be sucked into a supernatural world of angels and their adversaries. He wants the mission assigned him even less. The Flame of Findul–the sword that guards the Tree of Life–has been allowed to burn out. The only way to avoid worldwide disaster is to relight it in the forge of Findul the Firesmith. Taylor has been chosen for this task. But there is one who stands in his way.

Divided Decade Trilogy, book 2 Hannah craves excitement, but all local adventures dried up long ago, when her parents unpacked their wagon on the Michigan frontier. Then war breaks out and her father and brother leave to fight the Confederacy. Hannah is left at home chaffing under the boredom of never-ending chores--until the farm is threatened. The one place she longs to leave suddenly becomes the one place she'll do anything to save. Blood of pioneers moves to Michigan's homefront but contains a continuing thread of characters. *Blood of Pioneers was formerly released as Broken Ladders.

Runaways hidden in the barn, slave catchers housed in the hotel, and Emily squeezed between two very different loyalties. After a tantrum, Emily Preston is shipped from her plantation home to her inn-keeping uncle in Detroit. There she meets Malachi, son of freed slaves, who challenges many ideas she grew up believing. But when Emily stumbles upon two runaways hidden in her uncle's barn, she finds that old ways die hard. And Mr. Burrows, the charming Southern slave catcher, is only yards away, lodged in the hotel. A powerful story abounding in rich imagery, pathos, and beautifully turned phrases, The Candle Star also contains an abundance of accurate pre-American Civil War-era context, including: slavery the Underground Railroad Detroit history the economy of both North and South the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 each side's contributions to the start of war *and American geography The Candle Star is an ideal accompaniment to an American History social studies course or simply a stirring tale for young readers interested in stories of bygone days. The Divided Decade Collection includes three stand alone stories that view the American Civil War through three different lenses. All are set within Michigan. The Candle Star features the Underground Railroad. Blood of Pioneers illustrates the trials faced on the rural homefront after the menfolk leave for war. And Beneath the Slashings is set within a Northern lumber camp filled with returning soldiers. The books can be read out of order or read alone, depending on the theme that most interests the reader (or most closely relates to a classroom curriculum). All three have been highly acclaimed by teachers and home schoolers. Each has lesson plans and additional resources available.**