{"product_id":"maddie-and-the-stolen-treasures-9781763655133","title":"Maddie and the Stolen Treasures","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaddie and the Stolen Treasures\u003c\/em\u003e is an action adventure middle grade novel recommended for children aged 8 to 12 years of age, years 5 to 6.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile on holiday in Egypt, Maddie's grandfather is wrongly imprisoned after being found with a 3,000-year-old relic of Queen Nefertari.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo save him, Maddie and her newfound friends must outsmart the sinister smuggler Red Scarf.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCan Maddie overcome her anxieties before it's too late?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders who love Tristan Bancks' thrilling stories Scar Town, and Cop and Robber, will love this story's real-life drama. This action adventure is similar to the twists and turns read in 'The Clockwork Conspiracy, by Sam Sedgman. Those readers that loved Morrigan Crow's character arc in Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor series, will also see the likeness of Maddie's own growth and resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI first travelled to Egypt in December 2022 with my wife. I was fascinated and awestruck by the age of Egyptian history. It is one thing to see photos of hieroglyphs and giant statues of Pharaohs in books and on the internet, but to see it up close is phenomenal. Painted on the walls of the tombs, were ancient and intricate hieroglyphs, describing their afterlife, the interaction of their gods and goddesses, all painted in bright colours, thousands of years old. I was mesmerised.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut Egypt is a country rich in history, but also modern capitalism. The turmoil of daily life is in your face, a mix of smiling locals cooking bread in the streets of country towns, or locals running across 4-lane highways in the city to catch the bus. There are the street sellers desperately trying to sell you souvenirs, or the guards at the pyramids wanting to take your photo, then asking for money. And then I read stories in the media about the black market and illegal smuggling. Here is a country so proud about its history, yet others who would sell an artefact to make a buck. Egypt is full of contradictions, of light and dark.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWho wouldn't be inspired to write a story about all that?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom that first journey, I began to contemplate what that would look like. The 'What if's' began to immerge. What if grandad got caught with a stolen artefact. What if my protagonist was a girl? How would she help grandad get out of prison?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd so, it began.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story explores the fascinating history and mythology of ancient Egypt, and the challenges in modern Egypt. It encourages conversation and discussion about the different themes, and shows good role models, kindness and friendship between cultures. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThemes include; Ancient Egyptian history and mythology, Travel, and carry-my-bag-scams, Multiculturalism, Childhood and identity, Friendship and belonging, kindness, Family - mental and emotional abuse, separation families, Dealing with loss and letting go, guilt and shame friendships, Resilience and inner strength in coping with change and anxiety, The hero's quest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough the book includes themes of greed and abuse, it is also a story of resilience, hope, courage, and love.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTeachers notes available upon request.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbout the Author;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDavid, originally born in New Zealand, has lived in Australia for over 40 years, and currently lives in the beautiful Huon Valley in Tasmania with his wife. two labradoodles and a few chooks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe is a man of many talents; juggler, photgrapher, bee keeper, to name a few. And loves hiking the wilds of Tasmania.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Tree of Life Creations\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/22\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781763655133\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 222\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.49lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.81h x 5.06w x 0.51d","brand":"David Webby","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52733852844213,"sku":"9781763655133","price":13.59,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/maddie-and-the-stolen-treasures-9781763655133","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}