A moment ago, Mariana was trying on a Native American headpiece in Zany Zia’s Hat Shop. Now she’s running scared through the Wild West.

How did she get here? And how did she get caught in a feud between Comanche warriors and a cowboy out for revenge?

When Mariana went to the circus, all she wanted was a friend. Now she just wants to go home before she gets eaten by a mountain lion.

Welcome to Zany Zia's Hats to Where!

Lost in Comanche Country is the second book in the Zany Zia’s Hats to Where adventure series. Middle-grade readers (8- to 12-year-olds) who love time travel, historical fiction, fast-paced adventure, and a little bit of magic will love Lost in Comanche Country and the entire Zany Zia's Hats to Where series.

Erin K. Casey writes for children and adults, and she loves to help people discover and share their stories. She is the author of Get Personal: The Importance of Sharing Your Faith Story, as well as the middle-grade adventure series: Zany Zia’s Hats to Where. Through both her fiction and non-fiction work, she hopes to inspire people to live their own adventures and see God at work in their lives.

Learn more about her books at ErinKCasey.com

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The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

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What if a fourteen-year-old boy from present-day white suburbia finds himself fifty years in the past, fighting to survive a freak storm in the woods and afraid to accept help from a black man?

Once the two learn to trust each other, Richie learns about the traumatic event that shaped the man Morris’s life: the lynching of Morris’s grandfather in 1923. If Richie can go back in time again and prevent the lynching, will Morris come in from the cold?

The Long Shadow is an anti-racist time-travel story for 10-to-14-year-olds. "This compelling and engaging story is a must-read!" - Rob Currie, author of Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel.

"Part survival story, part exploration of racial justice in America, part journey of self-discovery, and wholly engaging and memorable. A well done and powerful story. It is certainly stuck in my head," says reader and reviewer Joe Corbett, a school librarian in St. Louis

Phyllis Wheeler tells stories that encourage us to step outside our comfort zones. She’s done it—she and her husband spent twenty years raising their family in a black neighborhood in segregated St. Louis.

She’s been a journalist, an engineer, and a homeschooling mom. Now she’s thrilled to be following her dream of authoring books for young people.

Learn more about her books and get a free short story when you sign up for her occasional newsletter at PhyllisWheeler.com

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The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

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What would you do if you uncovered a real locket from 1880 on the beach?

Join Virginia and Rodney as they discover a world that spans two centuries. Traveling through time, they unravel the mystery of The Lost Locket of Lewes, Delaware.

This book combines facts with action to keep you turning the pages while learning about Lewes, Delaware, and life in the 19th century.

Dr. Ilona E. Holland spent over a decade of her professional life teaching at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In addition, she conducted evaluations for PBS producers of programs like Martha Speaks, CyberChase, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, WordGirl, and Wild Kratt’s.

Since retiring, she spends most of her time writing for children and visiting schools all over the world. Ilona’s titles have won state and national recognition and awards. Her first book, Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure is included in United Through Reading, a program that reaches 100,000 military families around the globe.

Ilona’s other books have received first-place awards given by the Delaware Press Association and the National Federation of Press Women. Her work has also been featured in Ed Magazine and her first book was selected as one of Hoda Kobt’s favorites.

You can get a copy of her book at her website https://ilonaeholland.com

Please share StoryJumpers with a friend if you enjoyed this episode. StoryJumpers is still growing, and your positive review and 5-star rating would help.

The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

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It was the end of a long, snowy shift on Christmas Eve, the type of ride every bus driver dreads. Tidying up his bus, the driver discovered a tiny hippo on the dirty floor. He knew he would have to try locating the little girl who left the hippo behind. Despite his efforts to reunite the little girl with her lost hippo, it would be the bus driver’s wife who would point him in the right direction!

Since Day One, Lisa Williams has always told God that THE CHRISTMAS HIPPO was His story - to do with it what He wanted. She can certainly attest to the fact that God has done AMAZING things with the story. Throughout the whole publishing process, Lisa was blessed to see God’s hand at work every step of the way.

Lisa and her three children live in Delaware. Lisa is a licensed clinical social worker who passionately enjoys serving her community. Lisa’s ministries include singing on the praise team, community outreach development, and teaching Sunday School. She values the importance of children having a relationship with God, and it is her hope that through The Christmas Hippo, young readers will begin to understand how much God loves and cares for them.

Based on a true story, this enchanting children’s book invites readers to join a bus driver in learning the importance of turning to God in heartfelt prayer, while teaching readers that He cares about even their smallest concerns.

Learn more about her writing at https://thechristmashippo.wordpress.com

You can follow The Christmas Hippo’s adventures on Facebook and get a copy of the book at Amazon.com

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The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

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Snuggle up close with these best-loved children's Bible stories filled with dream illustrations and timeless messages of faith. In this book, you'll learn about the many ways that God loves you and continues to watch over you. As you get ready for bed, rest assured that He is always with you - from morning until night, and even while you sleep.

Children's Bible Stories for Bedtime features: stories from both the Old and New Testaments for kids ages 4 - 8 in a clear, easy-to-understand style; simple reflections at the end of each story to help kids understand God's Word and how it fits into their world; prayers that encourage children to speak openly and build a relationship with God, and beautiful full-color illustrations that vividly bring Scripture to life.

Enjoy this reading of Children's Bible Stories for Bedtime by Julie Lavender...

Julie Lavender is an award-winning journalist and author and frequent speaker at writers and homeschooling conferences and women’s events. Julie enjoyed taking part in a Focus on the Family Broadcast segment in early 2021 and contributes to other moms’ and women’s podcasts as well.

Julie’s recent books include Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime and Strength for All Seasons: A Mom’s Devotional of Powerful Verses and Prayers, both published by Penguin Random House; 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell. Julie looks forward to children’s picture books releasing in 2024 and 2025 with End Game Press and Wren & Bear.

Julie holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and enjoyed teaching public school and homeschooling her four now-adult children. Julie and her high school and college sweetheart, David, live back in their hometown in Georgia. After serving twenty years in the Navy as an entomologist, David is completing his tenure as a wildlife biologist with an Army installation and will retire soon. The two look forward to traveling, visiting their children and families, baking, reading, writing, hiking, and putting together puzzles.

Interesting fact! Julie has stood in two hemispheres at once ... when visiting Ecuador with her husband, they straddled the equator with one foot in each hemisphere!

Learn more about the book at JulieLavenderWrites.com

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The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

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After learning that her father is still alive, Megan Wills embarks on a rescue journey with her newly adoptive sisters, Crystal and Zoe. Their destination is Beta Four, a frozen prison planet, where he was exiled because of a false charge of space piracy.

Megan is constantly chased by Camille Fairbanks, the widow of Admiral Fairbanks, who blames her for his death and, for some unknown reason, wants to capture her father as well. Megan must avoid deadly dangers on Beta Four and other planets as she zooms through space following clues that her father left for her.

The trail leads Megan to Gamma Five, the mysterious planet that infuses the Starborn, children who have special abilities, with their amazing powers. There, she must follow the most dangerous path of all, an underground maze filled with perils, as she tries to locate the source of power and the identity of The First Starborn.

Enjoy this reading of a chapter from The First Starborn by Bryan Davis...

Bryan Davis is the author of nine different best-selling fantasy, adventure, and mystery series suitable for your entire family. To date, he has written more than thirty-two (32) novels along with various non-fiction works and children’s books with total sales reaching more than one million copies.

He lives in Western Tennessee with his wife, Susie – where they homeschool their four girls and three boys. His passion for the written word, reading, and writing has taken many forms and explored multiple genres - including theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.

Learn more about his writing at DavisCrossing.com

Please share StoryJumpers with a friend if you enjoyed this episode. StoryJumpers is still growing, and your positive review and 5-star rating would help.

The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

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Book Five in the Tree Street Kids Series: Jack Finch’s plan to gobble up tons of turkey over Thanksgiving Break and work on the Tree Street Kids’ fort has been foiled. Instead, the Finches are traveling to the mountains of North Carolina to visit grandparents Jack barely knows.

Thank goodness his best friends Ellison and Roger are coming with him to the cabin on Brambly Bald mountain. But something is lurking in the forest, and soon Jack uncovers a secret bigger than Bigfoot.

When the kids come face to face with a real threat, will Jack find a way to protect his friends?

Jack braves danger, finds new branches on his family tree, and discovers what it means to be rooted in God’s great family.

The Tree Street Kids live on Cherry, Oak, Maple, and Pine ... but their 1990s suburban neighborhood isn’t all quiet, tree-lined streets. Jack, Ellison, Roger, Ruthie (and Midge!) find adventure in every creek and cul-de-sac — and God’s big love in one small neighborhood.

The first five books in this middle-grade series, ages 8-10, are available now from Moody Publishers.

Amanda Cleary Eastep is not related to Beverly Cleary but wishes she were. She is, however, a children’s writer, and the Tree Street Kids is her debut series. Amanda knows kids because she’s still one at heart. When she is forced to act like an adult, she edits nonfiction books by grown-up authors.

Amanda’s children’s writing has been published in Ladybug, The Friend, Sunday school curriculum, and Story Warren. As a longtime writer, she’s contributed to Christianity Today, Think Christian, and many other print and online publications. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and she leads writing workshops at her local teen center.

Learn more about her books at treestreetkids.com

Please share StoryJumpers with a friend if you enjoyed this episode. StoryJumpers is still growing, and your positive review and 5-star rating would help.

The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

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Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel is the thrilling story of one boy's quest to find his father and protect his younger sister during the great Dutch famine of World War II!

"Sometimes you have to take a chance, because it’s the only chance you have."

Hunger Winter is intended for children between fourth and eighth grade. Kirkus Reviews calls the novel "a gritty but hopeful wartime thriller."

Author Rob Currie did extensive research on events happening in the Netherlands during World War II – and the result is an enthralling story which captivates both young adults and children. Some of the darkest days during World War II are never explored in books for young people – but these action packed scenes convey Dutch traditions, danger, loyalty, and faith to readers.

Learn more about his writing at robcurrieauthor.com

Please share StoryJumpers with a friend if you enjoyed this episode. StoryJumpers is still growing, and your positive review and 5-star rating would help.

The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.com

Feedback, or Show Ideas? Send an email to podcast@wearethebridge.org

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