When Hayley and her friends stumble across a secret in the journal of her late archeologist grandfather, they know they're in for an adventure, but they just don't realize how big and dangerous it will be. Join Hayley, Alex and Spence for the quest of a lifetime in English teacher Helen D. Bailie's debut novel "The Azura Stones," a story filled with plenty of kid-approved imaginative fun, and edifying themes parents and teachers will appreciate.

Bedside Books (2007)
ISBN 9781589823747
Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (11/07)

Have you ever had a really exciting and scary experience all at the same time? Hayley is having a stranger school vacation than she ever has before. Her grandpa left a map showing the location of some very special stones. The Azura stones were very special for many reasons. It is exciting for Hayley and her friends to follow the map, but the fact that they are being followed is very scary. There are many twists and turns in the pursuit of these stones. You never know where the next danger lurks. Just what makes these stones so valuable and so wanted by so many people? What power will you get when you get these?

“The Azura Stones” is a fantastic book for kids who love a suspense or mystery story. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. You won't want to wait to the end to see what will happen. Yet when the book is over, you're sad that the book is over because it’s just so good. Helen D Bailie is a new author. She is very talented. I hope she writes more stories like this one. I think its target market is kids ages 11-14. It’s a fantastic read!