Category: Children Publisher: Self-published
Type: Fiction
Pages: 126
Copyright: 1998
When young Skeener's parents have to go to Europe for a while to take care of her sick great aunt in Romania, they leave her on a farm with an uncle she's never met - an uncle who, not only doesn't seem to like her or have much to say, but who (for a "farmer") has a strangely white complexion! . . . And, when Skeener starts to snoop around, what she finds doesn't make her feel any better! . . .
Left alone to fend for herself with an uncle she's never met - on a farm full of mysteries to solve (far from her Boston home) - Skeener is at the same time intrigued and terrified as she proceeds to discover the truth about her strangely palid "farmer" uncle who doesn't seem to sleep, skulks around at night, and seems to want nothing more than to get rid of her!! . . . Will Skeener survive her time alone with her Uncle Dracula!?
Excerpt
When she had her slippers and robe on, Skeener tentatively poked her head out of her door and peeked around on both sides of the hall. Not seeing anyone or hearing anymore strange sounds, she slowly crept out of her room, careful not to to step on any of the boards that she knew creaked.
Proceeding down the hall as quietly as she could, Skeener noticed that the door to her uncle's room was open. As she approached the room, she stopped for a moment to listen for any signs that her uncle was in there. Not hearing anything, she carefully took a peek inside and, as she did, she noticed that her uncle's bed looked as if it had not been slept in.
What was going on!? . . . Her uncle hardly ever spoke, he took showers at night, he never seemed to sleep, and what was up with that pasty white skin of his? Skeener was begining to wonder if her parents were ever going to come for her or if she would survive long enough, even if they did!
Professional Reviews
Intriguing . . . I couldn't wait to hear more!
". . . A wonderfully whimsical combination of good old-fashioned mystery and a solid life-lessons story . . . Sure to become a classic."
Jenny Wong (Early Childhood Education Dept.), Skyline College
What a Tale is told in this delightful story of Didge the wayward little Roo.
Catch up with him as he turns the Billabong from a Dull everyday water hole, to a lively, fun place, through many adventures and conquests.
