Carol Ann's Adventure Page

"Fire it up" for friendship, fun, adventure, mystery, and courage that fill the pages of Scary Spring: Our Polio Fright of 1955. Like the Indian-head hood ornament on Aunt Jean's Pontiac Chieftain car that leads the way down dark and scary streets, Pete leads his friend, Carol Ann, on fun and frightening adventures. The two eleven-year-olds play fast-paced games of Hide and Seek, Hot Potato, and Jump Rope. They confront their polio vaccine fears then hunt for tasty treats like homemade cookies or Popsicles from the ice cream man. When they befriend a runaway white, tan, and black beagle puppy then spy on its owner, "mean, old Mr. Chester," things get really exciting! Mr. Chester's crooked body leans like a broken branch. Is he a monster? Did polio cripple his legs and heart? Will the puppy ever be safe with him? Pete, Carol Ann, and Hey Pup hide from Mr. Chester and listen to the teens next door as they "hop up" their hot rods while rock "n" roll tunes swirl through their El Monte, California neighborhood. Words like "cool," "boss," "Dan's Diner," "Route 66," and "let's split this scene" flow freely. But when Ernie punches it in his 32 Ford Highboy and races toward a block wall, can his car named Wild Panther and its passengers survive? As the ravaging affects of the poliovirus present themselves, will these two All-American kids be able to overcome this deadly disease? "Like wow," Pete and Carol Ann learn that courage as well as friendship, family, and faith are important allies in their world. Ages eight and up will be thrilled and encouraged by this fast-paced, historical-fiction chapter book.

Surf"s up! Make the summer scene for friendship, fun, adventure, and mystery that fill the pages of Sinister Summer: Cars, Cruisers, and Close Calls, the second volume in a four book series, The 1950s Adventures of Pete and Carol Ann. Join two eleven-year-old, All-American, Southern California kids, Pete and Carol Ann, for patriotic fun and trips around the Southland. Follow them as they set off fireworks on July Fourth, learn to surf at Huntington Beach, ride horses in Lytle Creek Canyon, visit Tarzan"s jungle at the Los Angeles Arboretum, and have a blast at a backyard Hawaiian luau. Near their hometown of El Monte, California, teenagers cruise "flat out" with lots of horse power under the hoods of their "hopped-up," flame-painted hot rods. Pete and Carol Ann cruise along with them on Route 66 during July of 1955 to Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Van Nuys. Can they avoid Butch's midnight-blue Merc? Can they discover who's starting fires all over town? Both friends, and a beagle puppy, search for safety and peace in their 1950s world of bullies, crime, and close calls that turn their summer vacation into an outrageous, risky adventure where danger lurks both on and off of America"s roadways. Like wow! Ages eight and up will enjoy this fast-paced, historical-fiction chapter book that shares the excitement of a sensational summer.

Thunder roars in the cloudy skies over El Monte, Southern California, during October of 1955, as friendship, fun, fall leaves, and mystery fill the pages of Ferocious Fall: Our Wild Weather Escapes, the third volume in a four book series, The 1950s Adventures of Pete and Carol Ann. Join two eleven-year-old, All-American kids, Pete and Carol Ann, and a beagle puppy, as they scramble from one weather-filled adventure to another. Can they find shelter from a crazy cloudburst, outrun a dust devil, and escape a flash flood? Follow these best friends as Hawk's Ride drives them "flat out" on route 66 to pick apples in Oak Glen, as they go with Uncle Charlie on a hike to Sturtevant Falls, and as they spend a day enjoying the rides at Knott's Berry Farm where the sheriff handles bullies. The kids have it "made in the shade" at the California Alligator Farm until a feeding frenzy in the crocodilian pit causes them to "split" the "scene" with a "see you later, alligator." Back at home, the teenagers next door "hop up" their hot rods to rock "in" roll tunes that swirl through the neighborhood while El Monte experiences an all-out crime-spree. The kids learn to make wise decisions when dealing with "bad news" bullies and wild weather. Readers eight and up will be thrilled by this fast-paced, historical-fiction chapter book.

Ring the Christmas bell for friendship, fun, mystery, adventure, and holiday joy that fill the pages of Wild Winter: Christmas, Clues, and Crooks, the fourth and final volume in the four book series, The 1950s Adventures of Pete and Carol Ann. Ride along with two eleven-year-old, All-American kids, Pete and Carol Ann, and a one-year-old beagle hound, as they travel on Route 66 in Hawk's Ride or in Uncle Charlie's "tank" to Santa's Village and Christmas Tree Lane. "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus," "What Child is This?" and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" play on car radios and Hi-fi stereos throughout the month of December, 1955. The holiday spirit abounds with words like gifts, greeting cards, tinsel, toys, tree toppers, sleigh rides, "Silent Night," snowmen, nativity scenes, candy canes, and the Christmas Story. Join Pete and Carol Ann as they plan a Christmas pageant to raise money for needy families in their 1950s community of El Monte, California. When the money is missing and destruction occurs, can these best friends find clues to trap the crafty crooks who are stealing their holiday joy? Are the crooks part of their circle of friends who work at the Dan's Diner bake sale, the Cherrylee Christmas Party, or the Cool Christmas Pageant? How wild will this winter get before the last snowflake falls? Ages eight and up will be delighted by this fast-paced, holiday, historical-fiction chapter book that shares the timeless goodness and glory of the first Christmas.