Publisher Description

Endorsed by Teachers of the Year around the country, Eric DelaBarre's Saltwater Taffy follows the lives of five friends as they uncover a treasure map that once belonged to the ruthless New Orleans pirate, Jean Lafitte. The discovery thrusts them from one treasure hunting adventure to the next as they try to out-wit, out-think and out-maneuver everyone from the one-legged junk-yard man and an overbearing town bully, to the creepy old man living at the top of the hill. Saltwater Taffy is a raceto-the-finish adventure that grabs the reader and never lets go.

Author Biography

Eric DelaBarre is an award winning filmmaker, speaker, and most recently, a ghostwriter for Random House/Harmony Books. Eric began his career with Dick Wolf on NBC's mega-hit drama Law & Order, and has worked with 20th Century Fox, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Universal Studios and Lions Gate Films. His work has been sold around the world and showcased on HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz/Encore, USA Network, and NBC. Eric is also the past-president of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica Council. R.C. Nason, a professional artist for more than 20 years, is the recipient of the Hans Christian Anderson Award for Thumbelina. He has worked with companies such as Harper Collins, Hallmark, 20th Century Fox and Sony, to name but a few.

Review

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AGREE! "A perfect read for the summer. A wonderful, fun-filled adventure for all ages!" --Sharon F. Andrews
2003 Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence
2006-2007 PTA Life Achievement Award
2008 South Dakota Teacher of the Year "It is rare in this day and age to find a book delivering a powerful message to young people that is not only exciting to read, but uplifting and inspiring as well. Saltwater Taffy delivers!" --Carol Shultz
Masters of Education National Board Certified Teacher
2008 Idaho Teacher of the Year "An intriguing adventure that both a fantasy-loving grandmother and her fifteen-year-old grandson can enjoy together." --Tamara Steen
2005 USA Today's All-USA Teacher Team
2005 Washington State Teacher of the Year
2005 National Teacher of the Year Finalist "After reading the page-turning excitement of Saltwater Taffy, I couldn't wait to recommend it to one of my best friends, my 9-year-old stepson, Flynt. --Phillip Palmer
Anchor, ABC News, Los Angeles "A wonderful book for reluctant readers--pirates, treasure maps, and a coming of age story that perfectly captures the heroic struggles of adolescence. What's not to love?" --Josh Anderson
2007 Kansas Debate Teacher of the Year
2007 Kansas Teacher of the Year
2007 National Teacher of the Year, Finalist "Pirates, adventure and treasure! Saltwater Taffy is a rockin' good time. Aarrggghhhh! --Alan Sitomer
2007 California Teacher of the Year "Friendships, bad guys, and pirate treasure - what more could a young reader want! Readers will enjoy Saltwater Taffy so much, they won't even realize they are learning some great life lessons." --Paul Frick
Licensed Psychologist
Professor of Psychology and Chair, University of New Orleans
Editor, Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology "Packed with adventure and intrigue, this story is about a treasure hunt that leads to one of the most important discoveries of all -- what really matters in life. It is a journey about self-discovery, friendships and transformations." --Beth Ekre
2009 North Dakota Teacher of the Year "Saltwater Taffy awakens the true spirit of adventure in each of us." --Michael Flynn, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
2008 NEA Teaching Award for Excellence Finalist
2008 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year "Saltwater Taffy is more than a great read. Saltwater Taffy is SAWEET." --Aaron Young
President, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica "Saltwater Taffy is a pure joy to read and explore. It feels like a field trip to Treasure Island with the Goonies. It's a great inspirational adventure for young minds and those still young at heart." --Keil E. Hileman
2008 U.S. Department of Education Teacher and Ambassador Fellow
2007 Daughters of American Revolution National Outstanding Teacher
2004 National Education Association Horseman Teacher of Excellence
2004 Kansas Teacher of the Year
2004 National Teacher of the Year Finalist "A fun, family story for the adventurous reader. Pirates, mischief and real friendships make Saltwater Taffy a home run read! --Mike Batesole
Head Baseball Coach, Fresno State University
2008 NCAA National Champions "A fast-paced story that 'hooks' readers from page one. Kids will find they want to turn the page to see what happens next rather than turn on the television. I loved it." --Ashley Ladd
2009 Team Up For Youth Phillips Fellow Recipient
2009 Academic All-WAC honoree
San Jose State University Scholar-Athlete & Dean's Scholar

Review Quote

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AGREE! "A perfect read for the summer. A wonderful, fun-filled adventure for all ages!" --Sharon F. Andrews 2003 Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence 2006-2007 PTA Life Achievement Award 2008 South Dakota Teacher of the Year "It is rare in this day and age to find a book delivering a powerful message to young people that is not only exciting to read, but uplifting and inspiring as well. Saltwater Taffy delivers!" --Carol Shultz Masters of Education National Board Certified Teacher 2008 Idaho Teacher of the Year "An intriguing adventure that both a fantasy-loving grandmother and her fifteen-year-old grandson can enjoy together." --Tamara Steen 2005 USA Today's All-USA Teacher Team 2005 Washington State Teacher of the Year 2005 National Teacher of the Year Finalist "After reading the page-turning excitement of Saltwater Taffy, I couldn't wait to recommend it to one of my best friends, my 9-year-old stepson, Flynt. --Phillip Palmer Anchor, ABC News, Los Angeles "A wonderful book for reluctant readers--pirates, treasure maps, and a coming of age story that perfectly captures the heroic struggles of adolescence. What's not to love?" --Josh Anderson 2007 Kansas Debate Teacher of the Year 2007 Kansas Teacher of the Year 2007 National Teacher of the Year, Finalist "Pirates, adventure and treasure! Saltwater Taffy is a rockin' good time. Aarrggghhhh! --Alan Sitomer 2007 California Teacher of the Year "Friendships, bad guys, and pirate treasure - what more could a young reader want! Readers will enjoy Saltwater Taffy so much, they won't even realize they are learning some great life lessons." --Paul Frick Licensed Psychologist Professor of Psychology and Chair, University of New Orleans Editor, Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology "Packed with adventure and intrigue, this story is about a treasure hunt that leads to one of the most important discoveries of all -- what really matters in life. It is a journey about self-discovery, friendships and transformations." --Beth Ekre 2009 North Dakota Teacher of the Year "Saltwater Taffy awakens the true spirit of adventure in each of us." --Michael Flynn, M.Ed. Educational Consultant 2008 NEA Teaching Award for Excellence Finalist 2008 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year "Saltwater Taffy is more than a great read. Saltwater Taffy is SAWEET." --Aaron Young President, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica "Saltwater Taffy is a pure joy to read and explore. It feels like a field trip to Treasure Island with the Goonies. It's a great inspirational adventure for young minds and those still young at heart." --Keil E. Hileman 2008 U.S. Department of Education Teacher and Ambassador Fellow 2007 Daughters of American Revolution National Outstanding Teacher 2004 National Education Association Horseman Teacher of Excellence 2004 Kansas Teacher of the Year 2004 National Teacher of the Year Finalist "A fun, family story for the adventurous reader. Pirates, mischief and real friendships make Saltwater Taffy a home run read!" --Mike Batesole Head Baseball Coach, Fresno State University 2008 NCAA National Champions "A fast-paced story that

Excerpt from Book

"What's that?" I said, directing our attention to a sliver of light coming from behind a bookcase. Moving closer, we scanned the large, built-in bookcase. "Shut your flashlights off!" Zippy ordered. One by one, our flashlights winked off. Moving in closer, we discovered there was a light source coming from behind the bookcase itself. Before we could register the discovery before us, a rustling sound erupted from the hallway. "Did you hear that?" Zippy said. The rustling sound was undeniable, because everybody had heard it this time. "See, I told you!" Jaq said in a loud whisper. "What the heck is it?" Quickly rising from our huddle in front of the bookcase, Gary and Zippy entered the hallway to investigate. Not to be left behind, Jaq latched onto my arm and we slowly followed behind them. With each step, the old wooden floor creaked from our combined weight, and the shadows of the room seemed to dance in our imagination. I was not sure if it was the fear of this unknown sound rushing through me, but I could feel my senses begin to heighten. The dusty smell of the living room intensified, and I could feel my heart beating into my fingertips. My eyes focused into the long hallway, where a light from under a mysterious door bled into the soupy darkness before us. Gary and Zippy were nodding back and forth to each other to see who wanted to go first. Of course, each thought the other should proceed, but when a shadow passed in front of the light, everyone stiffened with fear. "Someone's here!" Zippy whispered in a panic-filled rush of adrenalin. As we turned to make a run for it, a rock suddenly shattered the living room window into a million pieces. Shards of broken glass fell to the hardwood floor like a tipped-over box of Rice Krispies. Jimmy's face popped into the open window frame, filled with undeniable terror. "HE'S HOME!" The rumble of the old pickup grew louder as it pulled into the driveway. "HIDE!" "HIDE? RUN!" Gary ordered as he raced out of the hallway and dove through the open window, followed quickly by Jaq and Zippy. I went back for Old Man Sheesley's notebook about our baseball games. I wanted to find out what he'd written about us, but when I dashed around the edge of the couch, I ran right into a side table and went down hard. The leather notebook slid from my hands and pages flew into the air like confetti. Looking up, I saw the doorknob of the back door beginning to turn. I was trapped. Trapped like a rat in a cage with no way out.

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