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Gary Wassner has authored four of five books in the fantasy series Gemquest. If you haven’t seen these books, check out the covers at online bookstores – the art is fantastic! Most recently, Gary has released a 104-page illustrated children’s book entitled The Mystery of The Jubilee Emerald, which will bring mystery and intrigue into families' backyards
- and, perhaps, increase an interest in the history of their own homes.
The Mystery of the Jubilee Emerald opens with a scary preface
telling of a family’s desperate escape, leaving readers to
wonder who they were and what they were running from. The excellent beginning is followed up by a mystery that two young people in a small town solve just in time.
Confusing and astonishing the residents, an emotional stranger with bright red-hair and tiny ears rolls into Albert Cove. Far from being a stranger, he’s been there before
- many times, but people just don’t remember him yet. Christopher and Erica are two young friends who love to discover things playing archeologist-like games in the backyard of Chris’s home - a place so rich in history that it is not unusual to find old arrowheads and other remnants of
long-ago life on the land. Erica is gullible, ready to agree with anything Christopher says. Chris loves filling her head with silly tales, and she enjoys his family very much.
Before long, real adventure and mystery find them when they notice a man who seems to be sneaking about various places in town, including Christopher’s home.
In school, the teacher discovers an unsolved mystery of an historic crime that took place on the very property Christopher’s family now owns.
Perfect for classes that are about to embark on local history projects, The Mystery of The Jubilee Emerald will appeal to children aged between 7 and 12. The black and white illustrations were certainly beneficial to the
reading experience. Humorous situations, facial expressions,
and background imagery combined with the text's large font
create a wonderful effect.
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The Mystery of the Jubilee Emerald by Gary Wassner, illustrated by Adam Gustavson