Bücher von Marie Sontag

Having found a home with his adoptive family, fourteen-year-old Samsuluna (Sam) now moves to Egypt with Balashi and Amata where his quest to solve the mystery of the hidden tomb threatens to tear his family apart.* * *Amata gasped as Sam shone the light on the sarcophagus revealing a broken statue of Anubis, his jackal-shaped head not far from his wooden body. Stepping around the headless statue, Sam shone the light on a broken canopic chest, its sides colorfully decorated with the images of Osiris, Isis, Nut, and Thoth.Amata stepped closer to the chest. "Look here, Sam." She pulled four canopic jars out of the damaged container."Don't open those!" Even in the dim light, Sam caught her glare. "I know what these are, Sam. They contain what is left of this Egyptian's insides preserved here for the afterlife." She traced the edges of the limestone jars then placed them next to the broken container.Sam shifted his attention to another broken chest. In the dim light, he made out the shapes of several wooden shabtis. They must have fallen out of the wooden box. The shabtis looked like miniature Egyptians, each carrying a basket of tools.Amata moved to the other side of the sarcophagus. "Sam! Bring the lamp over here."Before he reached her, a loud crash boomed. Amata shrieked.He rushed to her side, but his legs gave way as his body plunged into a dark hole.

Twelve-year-old Samsuluna (Sam) needs to find his uncle. There's only one problem. His uncle, the one who gave him his bronze dagger, lives 800 miles away. With Sam's mother and brother dead, and his father... well, Sam wants to get as far away from his father as possible. The stolen jewels hidden within the folds of his tunic should be more than enough to book passages on a caravan. But the secrets Sam keeps and the lies he tells endanger not only his life but also those of his new friends... especially when he violates Hammurabi's Code. Will Sam ever reach his uncle? Will he ever discover the mystery behind the stolen jewels?

Warsaw, PolandSeptember 8, 1939Their scoutmaster's chair squeaked as he shifted his weight. "What I am about to ask from all of you is a personal sacrifice on behalf of Poland. Your final decision is, of course, up to you. You must each make your own decision."A hush filled the room. The Scouts' pale faces betrayed the struggle that plagued them all.Tadzio broke the spell. "I mean no disrespect, Professor. I don't know why my father had to leave, but since he's gone, my family is my priority."Squaring her shoulders, Magdalena inched forward on her chair. "And earlier this week my father's brother and his wife were killed when a bomb hit their apartment building in Warsaw." Her voice quivered. "Now, we're also caring for our orphaned 11-year-old cousin, Józefina."Tadzio nodded. "Since I am the eldest son, my first responsibility is to my family.""Well spoken, son." Professor Handelsman studied Tadzio over the top of his glasses. "What about the rest of you?"Tadzio's patrol leader, Andrzej, spoke first. "This is what we've prepared for all summer. The Scout training we received in the Kampinos Forest these past few months-first aid, food storage, water purification, map reading skills, Morse Code, riflery-it all prepared us for this moment. I will give my all for Poland."Lech smoothed back his thick, black hair. "Andrzej's right. It's time to take a stand."First Lech, then Andrzej, and finally Lech's younger brother, Stefan, rose to their feet with raised chins, they punched their fists into the air and shouted in unison. "Czuwaj!Be vigilant! Stay awake! Be prepared!"Tadzio and Magdalena weren't prepared for their Polish Scoutmaster's challenge. Not until their parents disappeared. A Young Adult historical novel, Underground Scouts brings to light the brave efforts of Polish Boy Scouts and Girl Guides who fought alongside the Polish Underground during World War II.