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I can't resist a rollicking-good ghost story, and neither will your middle-graders when they open author Sandra Bennett's newest Australian adventure, A Lighthouse in Time.
This second book in Bennett's Adamson Adventures Series can be read as a stand-alone tale. But you'll also want to check out her first book, Secrets Hidden Below. This book is shortlisted for the Speech Pathology of Australia Book of the Year Awards 2019 and long-listed in the children’s category of the 2019 Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards. Scroll down to learn about the author's new middle-grade adventure, meet Sandra (you'll adore her!), read excerpts from her book, catch my interview with her, and find my Catly review of A Lighthouse in Time. Happy tales! 
A Lighthouse in Time, by Sandra Bennett
About the Book
Title: The Adamson Adventures 2: A Lighthouse in Time | Author: Sandra Bennett |
Publication Date: August 2019 | Publisher: Elephant Tree Publishing Pty Ltd | Pages: 168 | Recommended Ages: 8-12 * Elephant Tree Publishing | SandraBennett.com * 
Excerpt: A Lighthouse in Time, by Sandra Bennett
Zac doesn't believe in ghosts. He's never seen scientific proof of their existence. Clare is skeptical but open-minded to the possibility. She likes the idea of ghosts and fairies, even angels. Luke is convinced they encountered a ghost at Caves Beach. He's determined to lead his brother and sister on a ghost hunt through the ruins of an old lighthouse on the point at Cape St George. Join the three Adamson siblings on their second adventure as they discover a ghost desperate to save her father and an evil spirit just as determined to do anything to stop her ... and the Adamson kids! Follow clues along with Zac, Clare and Luke, as you learn about shipwrecks that crashed off the New South Wales South Coast. Stay close as they search for a long-lost ship's manifest, a lighthouse keeper's journal, and dark secrets within a lighthouse lost in time. 
Excerpt: A Lighthouse in Time, by Sandra Bennett
Q & As with Australian children's author, Sandra Bennett
Cat: What inspired you to write this book?
Sandra: Inspiration came from camping holidays on the South Coast of New South Wales when my boys were young. We discovered the old lighthouse, Caves Beach and Wreck Bay, perfect backdrops for an irresistible ghost story. Cat: Are the Adams kids based on anybody you know? Sandra: The Adamson children are based on my own three boys, but the story changed as I wrote. For instance, I initially had three brothers; however, I decided to add a girl, so I developed Clare as the second sibling. Cat: Is your ghostly lighthouse legend based on local lore? Sandra: Very loosely. I was inspired by local stories about people who lived near the old lighthouse during the 1800s. For instance, Wreck Bay got its name from the many ships that crashed along its rocky shores, confused between the bay’s two lighthouses. Cat: You write convincingly about spelunking. Do you explore many caves? Sandra: I love exploring caves, particularly ones with stalagmites and stalactites. The caves at Caves Beach do not go back very far. Weathered from storms, you can walk into them, but not nearly as far as you can in my fictional caves. Cat: Ever had a close encounter with a shark? Sandra: Only in an aquarium. I like safety glass between me and a shark, thank you very much. Even though our beaches are patrolled daily for sharks, I have never seen one. That doesn't mean you should take safety for granted. Sharks are out there, especially at feeding time, dusk and dawn. Cat: Favorite flavor of ice cream? Sandra: Cannot resist Pavlova or chocolate mousse. Pavlova is a meringue topped with cream and fresh fruit, typically strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, or kiwi fruit), and sprinkles of grated chocolate. Yum! Cat: Favorite author? Sandra: I'm reading Pirate Boy of Sydney Cove, by Jackie French, one of my favorite Australian authors. It's a swashbuckler set in the early 1800s and stretches from England to Australia and the giant waves of the Southern Ocean in between. Cat: Favorite book read growing up? Sandra: I treasure my box set of C S Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. I dreamed of finding a wardrobe that would to lead me to a magical world like his.
Cat: What one place would the Adams siblings take American children on a first visit to your home town in Canberra?
Sandra: Since the Adamson kids like exploring, they would take American kids out of the city into the surrounding mountains to visit waterfalls and the remains of old satellite tracking stations. Plus, they’d explore bush walking trails and perhaps bump into some of our amazing wildlife.
Cat: What one place would the Adams siblings take American children on a first visit to your home town in Canberra?
Sandra: Since the Adamson kids like exploring, they would take American kids out of the city into the surrounding mountains to visit waterfalls and the remains of old satellite tracking stations. Plus, they’d explore bush walking trails and perhaps bump into some of our amazing wildlife.
Cat: What else might readers like to know about you?
Sandra: During school visits, students frequently ask why I want to be an author. Teaching literacy has always been my passion, and reading aloud to my class was the highlight of my day. Sharing that love of reading by writing my own stories was a natural progression for me. Through writing, I can help kids build reading skills, share wonders about the rest of the world, and develop their imagination in fun and creative ways.
About the Author  Sandra Bennett
Sandra Bennett is a Canberra-based children’s author. She has published four children’s books, and her stories have been featured in several anthologies.
In late-2019, her work will appear in two more anthologies, and her new graphic novel will be featured in Library For All’s literacy program that serves children in remote and rural South Pacific communities. Her first book in The Adamson Adventures, Secrets Hidden Below, has been shortlisted for the Speech Pathology of Australia Book of the Year Awards 2019 and is long-listed in the children’s category of the 2019 Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards. When not writing, this retired Primary School teacher and mother of three boys is often seen walking her dog, roaming the hills around her country property outside Canberra, and having fun plotting her next story. One of Sandra’s newest pastimes is playing with and reading to her new grandson, who is her greatest and most lovable distraction.
My Review
The second in the Adamson Series by Sandra Bennett, A Lighthouse in Time is a ghostly mystery set in an exotic-to-me Australian National Park.
Narrated in first person by the eldest Adamson, Zac is the impatient, no-nonsense brother, who clearly leads the siblings. Bennett enriches each child with distinct personalities and tosses in just enough good-natured bickering to make thetrio’s relationship realistic and fun. I wish Claire were portrayed feistier rather than as the mothering sister, who is often afraid as her brothers forge ahead, but she holds her own as the mystery unfolds. The author imbues Time with an intimate sense of place of its oceanside Australian setting:
"Out the back beyond the break,
the bay was almost like a pond. White fluffy clouds floated across the sky, with no sign of any storm brewing... A pod of dolphins played in the distance." North American readers also learn delightful new words, like brekkie (breakfast) and swimmers (swim suits), as well as how to surf a boat to safety on stormy waves. Bennett thoughtfully provides a glossary of special terms at the end of the book. The author shines as she adds layers to the ghostly mystery the kids must solve to lift an ancient curse before their vacation ends. No spoilers, but action accelerates and frightening apparitions appear to heighten suspense, but they won't give young readers nightmares.
Stylistically, I prefer shorter paragraphs for young readers, especially for breaking up long narrative passages and separating them from dialogue. This is a minor distraction I overlook because of the story’s strong action and engaging plot.
A Lighthouse in Time is a crackling-good ghostly yarn that will keep kids turning pages to uncover the identity of a long-dead baddie and lift a century’s old curse. Highly recommend Sandra Bennett's adventure for both boys and girls ages 8-12. 
5 Comments
9/30/2019 08:58:32 am
I enjoyed finding even more about Sandra's new book today.
Cat Michaels
9/30/2019 02:00:25 pm
I am ever intrigued by the creative process, Rosie, and seeing how writers pull from ideas around them to come up with something fresh and exciting. 9/30/2019 07:30:23 pm
Hi Cat, thank you so much for taking the time to read, review my book and interview me for your great blog. I am so pleased you enjoyed this ghostly adventure Down Under where you were also able to learn a little about our convict and Dreamtime past. 9/30/2019 09:56:16 pm
I had a delightful time virtually visiting with you, Sandra. Next best thing to being in your country. Kids will enjoy and learn tons, too. All the best with your new book! 10/1/2019 09:18:57 am
What a lovely interview! Wales is a lovely place, what a great book. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat
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