Synopsis

It is the first day of sixth grade, and Gabriel and his sisters are at each other’s throats…again. Little did any of them know that on their first morning they would be thrust forward into a grand adventure of Biblical proportion, where a book talks and has extraordinary powers. A book created by God’s own hand that has a soul and his name is Bib. Bib is short for Book In the Basket. Bib was created to record the lives of Adam, Eve, and their children before they fell and is the older brother of Bible, Book In the Basket Last Edition. Bib is now under the protective care of Ms. Thompson, a teacher in the school due to his very important secret identity as the Lamb's Book of Life. As this mysterious day continues to unfold, Gabriel learns that he and his two sisters are to rescue a boy by the name of Jeremy former student of Ms. Thompson’s. A student who after experiencing tragedy came under the influence of Satan, abandoned his faith in God, trapped himself in The Story of King Arthur while on a "field trip" in Bib. As Gabe, Hannah, and Brianne prepare for their quest, they gain the help of two others, Gabe's best friend Spence and Jeremy's half-brother Jake. In a dream, it’s revealed to Gabe that Satan is using Jeremy as a puppet to bring about his own insidious plan to change his fate as it is written in the book of Revelation, and seal Bib forever. The children finally learn to work together to defeat Satan by reminding him that God's word is unchanging and forever.  Satan relinquishes his hold over Jeremy and the children are victorious with prayer and the power of God's word.  The ending is written in such a way that it leaves the door open to a sequel, or it can just be assumed that Satan never gives up on his fight to change his fate.

This book has been a labor of love for me as it is based on the unique and headstrong personalities of my three children.  In begging polite pardon for this cliched phrase, I feel that this piece was inspired by God to promote a strong prayer life amongst the younger generation of this world.  The theme of this book is that through prayer and compassion, even the smallest of us can move mountains...even against an enemy such as Satan.  In my life there I have always had such affinity for the young adult fantasy genre and still read it to this day at the age of 46.  However, I always felt somewhat conflicted with a great many fantasy novels due to my strong desire to live a Biblically-based lifestyle.  I always wondered, where was God in these novels?  Where were the prayerfully strong protagonists that relied on God's word?  In my sixth-grade year, I was blessed to discover The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, which led me on a lifelong journey with the Pevensie children as well as other kings and queens of Narnia.  I devoured the remaining six books, only to go on to devour each one of them six more times.  I firmly believe that with all the secular fantasy books out there that the market of young adult, Christian fantasy is a painfully under-utilized market.  What better way to reach out to these children than to meet them where they are?

Outline

The Book In the Basket

by Melissa Rhodes

Chapter Summaries:

Prologue:  Set back a few years from the main setting, Jeremy is in the middle of participating in a “field trip” inside the story of King Arthur.  Jeremy has just lost his sister in a tragic accident, and though a strong believer to this point, he has become bitter and enraged towards God.  What makes it that much worse, is the fact that his parents divorced as a result, and they have not spent the time needed with him to help him heal.  Jeremy decides to do what they have all been warned not to do…he touches one of the characters.  To touch a story character causes you to be merged, and that’s what he wanted.  He had chosen just the right character to help him do what he needed to do; Merlin.

Chapter 1:  Gabriel and his sisters are getting ready for their first day of school.  The unfortunate thing is that the three of them tend to not get along.  Gabe takes his title of “brother” and drives his older sister, Brianne, and his younger sister, Hannah, crazy.  He’s the stereotypical middle child in so many ways.  Gabe despises school, and would love to just skip the whole thing.  The bus ride to school proves to be a little rough due to a run in with the town bully, Jake Mabry.  Jake mocks Hannah upon hearing her pray about their first day of school.  Things take an unexpected turn with the confrontation between the little girl, and the beast of a young man.

Chapter 2:  Finally getting dropped off at school, Gabriel now has to check the lists to see where he is to be for the next nine months.  He hopes and prays that he gets any teacher except Ms. Thompson.  Unfortunately, fate is not with him.  He not only has her, but she is the first person he sees.  She asks him to take the book to her classroom while she goes back to the office to collect a few things, and he starts the long walk to a room he’s hoped to avoid for quite a long time.  Before he gets there though, he starts to feel as if the stress is causing him to crack.  He begins to hear someone, or something, talking to him.  The book talks, and its name is Bib.

Chapter 3:  Gabriel gets to know Bib and his powers.  Gabriel learns that Bib can not only talk, he can magically transform into any story ever written and take the readers and listeners into the story.  Bib proves himself by showing Gabe how he can make different stories appear on his pages, and even takes him through a quick nursery rhyme on a preview “field trip”.  The whole time Gabe is in the story though, he can’t seem to shake the feeling that he is being watched.  At the end of Gabe’s travels, he comes back to the classroom to find Ms. Thompson.

Chapter 4:  Gabriel has a very detailed conversation with Ms. Thompson on why he was selected.  He learns that during class he is supposed to lead the others as they embark on trips into different stories.  However, after school hours he is to work with his sisters to help a former student of Ms. Thompson’s.  Gabriel also learns the identity of Bib’s author.  God.

Chapter 5:  As Ms. Thompson accomplishes the first day of school tasks, he reflects on the multitude of thoughts that are racing through his mind.  He gives some descriptions of Ms. Thompson that allude to a possible hidden identity. 

Chapter 6:  Gabriel runs into his friend Spence while out at recess.  Spence imparts a little Godly wisdom that starts a domino effect on Gabe’s spiritual understanding.  A quick trip to the bathroom finds Gabe in a soul opening moment that lets Gabe know the ramifications of the mission they are about to take on.  Gabe is then given Bib to take home to introduce to Brianne and Hannah.  Gabe boards the bus and unknowingly sits down next to Hannah, who has already heard from God that there is something very important they need to do.

Chapter 7:  Gabe finally talks to Brianne and Hannah.  Though Hannah had Gabe’s back on the bus, she is no longer so sure when Gabe tries to introduce Bib.  Gabriel’s job isn’t made any easier by Brianne’s attitude, and biting sarcasm.  Finally, Bib makes himself known and truly startles Brianne. 

Chapter 8:  Mrs. Thompson makes a visit to the house.  Brianne, Hannah, and Gabriel get some sage advice from her about how to grow together as a team.  Gabriel reveals a big secret about Brianne.  She is their half-sister.  Though they share the same mother, Brianne’s biological father has phased out of the picture.  Brianne was then legally adopted by Gabe and Hannah’s father.  Brianne allows them to see past her tough exterior to a more vulnerable side that is a little unsure of herself.  Gabe offers up some apologies for his past tortures of them, and asks for their patience as he learns how to be the leader he’s called to be.  Gabe prepares to guide the girls into their first adventure into Bib.  

Chapter 9:  Gabe decides to look around while his sisters are experiencing Bib’s powers for the first time, and notices a character that doesn’t belong.  At first he thinks nothing of it until the character acknowledges him with a glare and sickening grin.  Gabe and his sisters then learn that Jeremy has merged himself with none other than Merlin, and that he has increased in power and strength.  Jeremy is no longer trapped inside the Story of King Arthur, he is now able to go story to story.  Bib now reveals that this could indicate that Jeremy might be able to take him over and keep him from accomplishing his other, more secret purpose.

Chapter 10:  The three children learn more about Jeremy.  They learn that Jeremy lost his younger sister to a terrible automobile accident.  As a result, his parents separated and ultimately divorced.  Brianne feels a particular sadness for Jeremy.  They then learn that Hannah’s encounter with Jake Mabry, as well as Jake himself, will be of some importance to them on this mission.  Hannah is asked to pray, and Gabriel experiences the sounds again, along with a golden bright light that pierces through their eye lids.  They believe it to be the presence of God, but Gabe is starting to wonder if there’s a lot more than meets the eye to Ms. Thompson; especially after she suddenly disappears once Gabe escorts her out the front door.  However, before Ms Thompson leaves, she shares with Gabe that his friend Spence will be joining their class tomorrow.

Chapter 11:  The three kids’ new found unity is a little unsettling to their parents.  Mom and Dad don’t really know how to take their new attitudes towards each other and spend the time around the table in confused reverie.  Hannah tells her parents about leading Jake to the Lord, and how she didn’t see him that afternoon due to football practice.  She talks about how she can’t wait to see him the next morning and find out how his first day as a Christian was.  As Gabe is the last to climb the stairs, he overhears his dad begin to talk about an accident that happened at the football stadium involving a player.

Chapter 12:  Gabe, Hannah, and Brianne decide to call it a night.  Their dad is once again a little awed by the fact that the three seem to be so different…who is he to argue the change.  Gabe once again filters through the day and drifts off to sleep.  The unsettling thing is that it’s not a perfect restful sleep.  It’s plagued by a nightmare that throws Gabe right in the middle of a jumbled mess of Jeremy’s pain.  Gabe sees the arguments, the flashing red lights at the accident that started it all, and Jeremy’s parents split.  Gabe even seems to be Jeremy for a second when he sees faces he doesn’t recognize go past him one by one, giving their sincere condolences.  The dream is interrupted by a peaceful lull.  It’s then that he realizes a young girl is standing next to him.  She asks Gabriel to help him, and when Gabe asks who, all she can say is “he really is a good boy, he just hurts really bad.”  Suddenly, something catches the little girl’s eye, and she fearfully looks over Gabe’s shoulder.  Gabe turns to see nothing, but when he turns back around, more chaos and red flashing.  Out of nowhere, Jeremy jumps into Gabe’s face and screams, “Go away!”  Gabe awakens to a cold sweat.  After a trip to the restroom to shake the fog of disrupted sleep from his mind, he prays asking for strength and protection that he may help Jeremy, even if Jeremy doesn’t want the help. 

Chapter 13:  While getting ready, Gabe has a revelation on the identity of the girl in the dream, and deduces that it must be Jeremy’s sister.  When he comes down for breakfast, it doesn’t take long to figure out that Brianne and Hannah have had a similar night.  Brianne watched Jeremy build his strength in The Story of King Arthur, while Hannah had “tea” with Sarah all the while, Sarah talking about how her brother really is a good kid.  Once on the bus, they are met with sad, sullen faces.  Hannah can’t find Jake anywhere, and asks one of the football players where he might be.  The player indicated that Jake was injured at practice.  He also indicates that afterwards, Jake kept mentioning a hooded boy that came out of nowhere.  The three realize who it had to be, but they couldn’t deduce why.  The only thing they can figure is that since Hannah wasn’t visited by Jeremy in a dream, then this was his way of getting back at Hannah for trying to help.  Hannah’s immediate reaction is to give up on Jeremy, and leave him to his misery, but Gabe ends up talking Hannah out of it.

Chapter 14:  Gabe is happy to see his best friend Spence come through the door.  Spence is looking a little worse for wear at his new homeroom assignment.  Gabe tries to explain some of what to expect, but just doesn’t have the time to get it out.  At lunch, Spence asks Gabe to explain the “life changing” thing since they have time now.  Gabe wants to avoid answering, because he just doesn’t know how to explain it.  Ms. Thompson buys him some time, after assigning silent lunch for an outburst that morning.  She then helps him avoid a recess questioning by asking for his help in the classroom.  Her ulterior motive is to allow Gabe the time to pray and seek God’s help.  While he’s praying, he again sees the strange light, hears the sounds, and is now more certain than ever, that it has something to do with Ms. Thompson.  Social studies is a numb formality compared to what is about to come in English class.

Chapter 15:  The class doesn’t really know how to take what Ms. Thompson is saying about going “into the book”, and take it more as a metaphor.  Ms. Thompson introduces Gabe as their leader, as someone who has experience in book traveling.  Gabe continues to become increasingly nervous about the trip, until a touch on the shoulder by Ms. Thompson brings him a new sense of great peace.  His last minute advice before going in is to hold hands.  Spence laughs until the swirling begins.  Gabriel hears his classmates scream, and Spence comes close to breaking Gabe’s hand in a death grip.  Once in, Gabe finally gets control of the class, and explains the rules of not touching characters, and the time freeze.  They have traveled into the children’s novel Ben and Me.  Everything goes well until they get to the part where Ben and Amos run into the town folk.  A strange mist rises as the townspeople come closer.  Gabe is sure he knows who is really coming, and he’s ready for action.  Spence is the only other one aware that there’s something wrong.  When Gabe is able to get a closer look, he sees that the townspeople have muskets, pitchforks, and glowing red eyes.  All he can do now is tell Spence to run, which they do.  Gabe calls out to Bib and Ms. Thompson.  Gabe thinks of the safety of his classmates, so he prays for God to remove them from the book, and to send him some help dealing with Jeremy.

Chapter 16:  As always, Gabe sees that God is in control.  God removes the entire class with just one exception…Spence.  Jeremy has orchestrated an all-out assault against them using the townspeople.  Gabe doesn’t see Jeremy, but he knows he’s there, so he calls him out.  While Gabe is trying to reason with Jeremy, Spence offers his own testimony of loss, and expresses that God would never torture an individual as Jeremy is insinuating.  Jeremy goes into a blind rage and gets right in Spence’s face and just screams…no words, just primal rage.  Jeremy then goes in for the attack.  He brings his hands around and Gabriel can see electricity flicking from finger to finger on Jeremy’s hands.  His jolt knocks Spence back, and Gabriel prays for help.  As soon as it’s offered up an explosion of light occurs, and a winged being of light appears between them and Jeremy.  Gabe describes it as how he’s always envisioned an angel.  The angel speaks.  Gabe can’t understand the words, but he’s hears the familiar peaceful sounds he hears when Ms. Thompson speaks of God and His Word.  Gabe tries to get a better view and sees a female with dark flowing hair.  Jeremy is cowering before this being, and all he can seem to do is scream.  Gabe almost feels sorry for him, but realizes that is the worst thing he can do.  Another explosion of light, and Gabe feels the familiar swirling.  He comes to, and notices Spence is there, as well as Ms. Thompson and the rest of the class.  They’re the only three in the room who don’t have their heads down asleep.  Ms. Thompson tells Gabe that others have experienced the rest of the book in the form of a dream, and are unaware of the danger they were in.  Spence is fully introduced to Bib, and Bib speaks to Spence.  Ms. Thompson then informs Spence that Gabe will finish filling him in on the bus. 

Chapter 17:  Once on the bus, Gabriel sees that Hannah is back to her usual self.  Right before the bus leaves, Hannah notices that Gabriel seems to have forgotten Bib.  He pleads with the bus driver, Mr. Gort, to let him off to go get him.  Mr. Gort is explaining that he can’t allow him to do that as there is a rap at the door.  Ms. Thompson is there with Bib in tow.  Gabriel and Spence fill the girls in on their “field trip.”  Brianne and Gabriel have some moments of unexpected mutual agreement.  Spence gets a crash course in all that is Bib, and in the mission at hand.  When Spence realizes that they have to take another trip into Bib, he is resistant.  However, Bib explains that Jeremy would never go near where they are going in spite of his new found powers, because of who they were going to see.  As soon as Gabe’s mother gets home, they leave to go visit Jake.

Chapter 18:  The kids make it to see Jake.  Jake’s mother, Rachael, confirms all the things that they had been told about Jeremy and Sarah.  The mom even reveals that she knows where they failed Jeremy.  Rachael talks about how Jeremy had said that no one would care if he just disappeared, so that’s what he did…he just up, and disappeared.  She continues to tell how the police searched for four years before relenting to the fact that there was no trace of him anywhere.  Gabriel’s mother takes Rachael down to grab something to eat.  The kids move into action.  Once in the room, they are trying to figure out what they need to do when they hear the door open and clunk to behind them.  Gabe turns slowly, thinking it to be a nurse, but discovers it to be none other than, Ms. Thompson.  Ms. Thompson lets them know that they are not going into a story, but are traveling back in history to Mark 2:1-17…the story of the four friends and the paraplegic.  She has brought clothing from that era, because this time they will be interacting with the people around them.  They’re not to draw attention to themselves. 

Chapter 19:  As Ms. Thompson reads, Gabe realizes that this trip is not starting out like the others.  He feels as if they are going through a tunnel of darkness, but there is light that surrounds them.  He feels the strangest sensation that for everything that is not there, there are a million things that are there.  Hannah settles Jake by asking that he trust her.  Once in Capernaum, they realize that they are in the middle of something huge.  A man approaches Gabe and tells him that the Messiah is there among them.  The thing that strikes Gabe is the fact that the man speaks in his native tongue of Hebrew, but he can understand him.  They try to get Jake to the house where Jesus is, but there’s too many people.  Gabe sees a ladder leading to the roof and suggests they go up.  In the confusion and nervousness Brianne asks Gabe if he’s lost all the fries out of his combo meal.  Gabe asks her to trust him, and Hannah reminds that all things are possible through God.  Brianne apologizes, and the four of them hoist Jake up to the roof.  They clear out a hole in the roofing, and using some rope that Ms. Thompson gave them, lower Jake to the floor below.  They watch in amazement as Jesus turns from the door where he was ministering, and acknowledges them and Jake.  Jake is then healed and told to take up his bed and go back to his house.

Chapter 20:  Once healed, Jake asks for an explanation, and just as Gabe is about to explain, he feels the tug of the return trip starting.  All he can mutter is, “hold on.”  As they are flying through the tunnel again, Jake becomes startled and demands to know.  Gabe tells him they are on their way back to his hospital room, and that he will explain more there.  Gabe is still curious as to where the light is coming from in this seemingly black dimension or world.  He tries to adjust his focus, like he would with a ceiling fan.  The way you make your eyes travel in the direction of the blades, and you are able to see the individual blades.  He starts to see something.  It starts with making out an iridescent fabric, then arms raised, faces.  He then sees great wings behind them.  He realizes that they are traveling between two rows of angels.  He tries to reach out and touch one at about the time the hospital room materializes.  Mrs. Thompson explains that just as Moses and Elijah couldn’t look upon God, that they were no different.  Their passage had taken them right through where God resides.  Jake is now filled in on his half-brother.  Jake reveals that his mother is the one who drove him to be the way he was.  She had tried to push him so hard to be like Jeremy, that he had determined in his own mind to be anyone BUT him.  Ms. Thompson tells Jake that he is the key to saving Jeremy, and without him there’s no hope of saving Jeremy or Bib.

Chapter 21:  Satan is revealed as the mastermind behind Jeremy’s plan.  A little more is revealed about Bib having a greater purpose, and is the target for Satan’s scheme.  Satan is trying to trap them and seal Bib forever, because Bib’s other purpose directly affects Satan’s destiny.  Self-doubt creeps in among the children.  Spirits are reinforced and encouraged, and the roles of the new “members” are revealed through a vision of Sarah that occurred through Hannah’s prayer.  Ms. Thompson warns them again that Jeremy will pull them into Bib at a time unannounced, and quotes Matthew 24:43 “But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.”  She then leaves abruptly.

Chapter 22:  Gabe needing to ask a question throws the door open to catch her, and almost knocks down his mother and Mrs. Mabry.  His mother chastises him and as Gabe begins to protest Jake’s mother lets out a scream.  As Gabe says, “Somewhere in my head, I had lost the fact that they did not yet know about Jake, and there he sat looking all rosy cheeked and healthy.  Obviously this is not what they expected to come back to.”  Rachael calls for the doctors, and as they rush in, Gabe’s mother is escorting the four of them out his door.  Hannah explains that they prayed, and Jake was healed just like the four friends with the paralytic friends of Mark 2:1-17.  It’s then that the four of them put two and two together, and realize that THEY are the ones the passage is about.  They were there for Mark to write about.  Suddenly, the doctors and nurses rush out with Jake on his hospital bed on their way to CT.  Jake is vehemently protesting, and his mother is convinced that he is hallucinating and that he’s not really healed.  Gabe’s mother then chastises Rachael for her nonbelief.  Rachael reveals that there’s no way Jake could be healed because she has convinced herself that God no longer hears her prayers; if He did, Jeremy would have been found and returned to her.  Gabe’s mother reminds her of how Zacharias was stricken with the sudden inability to speak because of his disbelief.  Doctors come in and confirm the healing.  They want to keep him overnight for observations, but not wanting to make the same mistake twice, she says she believes Jake when he says he’s been healed, and wants to take him home.  As they leave, Jake mutters for them to meet him on the practice field the following day.  On their way home, Jeremy makes himself known through the car stereo system; the announcement, “I’m coming!”

Chapter 23:  Gabe asks for Spence to spend the night.  The kids manage to regroup and plan for the impending battle.  They finally grasp the idea that Satan is really the one behind all of this, and if they can separate Jeremy from him, then they may have a chance.  They are still not certain of Bib’s hidden purpose though.

Chapter 24:  Gabe enters into a dream where he is standing on a hillside watching a battle.  He sees a Goliath-like soldier standing over and whispering in the ear of a smaller cloaked figure; a figure that he can only assume to be Jeremy.  Gabriel is approached by what he thinks to be an angel.  He describes it as the most beautiful creature he’s ever seen.  The strange thing is that what this angel is saying doesn’t add up to what God says.  It talks of how this isn’t his fight, and to go ride his dirt bike and play his video games, and tells Gabe to let him fight the battle for him.  It doesn’t take long to realize that he is talking to none other than Satan himself.  He does his best to stand up to Satan, when Satan makes this statement, “You?  Who are you, but some fragile worthless little pottery fashioned by His hand out of some dirt on the ground.  I will break you and walk on you just as I walk on the dirt that once was your fore fathers!  How is it that you think you can take this battle from my hands?”  It becomes so intense, that in a blast of light, God intervenes and commands Satan to go away and let him rest.  Gabe awakens with a start, and notices light in the hallway.  He looks out to see that God had placed a protecting angel there as guard.

Chapter 25:  They all get up the following morning and get ready for their day.  Their mom knows that something is up and offers to pray for them.  While they were walking to the field, Gabe tells them about his dream.  Once there, they notice that Jake is somewhat down.  He overheard a conversation between his parents.  His mother has opted to stop looking for Jeremy and focus on Jake.  She determined to leave it in God’s hands.  Though what he wanted all along, Jake is very disheartened by this and takes it to mean his mother has completely given up; and all this just when he is sure he knows where to find him.  Hannah explains that she is just doing what she should have done years ago and trusted God.  They begin their training.

Chapter 26:  The kids get some good practice in, as well as some much needed lunch and encouragement from Ms. Thompson.  Afterwards, they start to feel as if they may have jumped the gun in thinking that the battle would happen today.  They lie down to do some cloud watching.  As the clouds shift shapes, the kids happily call out names of animals until Gabe and Hannah notice that they are starting to look like a horse and rider and the clouds darken.  Gabe knows exactly what’s going on!  He jumps into action, and calls out for Jake’s help.  Jake tells Gabe that he has his back and for him to save his brother.  Jeremy immediately materializes in Gabriel’s face, and screams for him to leave him alone, but Gabe tells him he can’t do that because God loves him too much.

Chapter 27:  Gabe and the others are in for the battle of a lifetime.  Satan has a death grip on Jeremy’s emotions, and he isn’t letting go.  Satan continues to hover around Jeremy whispering in his ear, but always taking a moment to strike out at Gabe.  Gabe thinks he may be making headway, and calls Jake over for his help.  His knowledge of what Jeremy’s mother has been through may be the one thing to throw Jeremy off his focus, and as a result, break his grip on the anger that Satan keeps stirring.  With Jake’s help, they finally break the hold over Jeremy.  Satan doesn’t want to give up so easily, so when he realizes that his hold is slipping he lashes out towards Gabriel.  Gabe closes his eyes and prepares for the worst, then sees the bright light through his eyelids again.  The gentle rushing sound as someone speaks out against Satan.  Gabe finally opens his eyes to see the angel from the field trip.  The angel is saying the blood covers all the children, even Jeremy and that he has no claim.  As the angel says this, she turns to look at Jeremy, and he actually recognizes her—Ms. Thompson.  Satan argues back, and names specific sins of each one, then declares that they all belong to him.  At this, the rider lowers his arms, and all fighting ceases; silence.  Without being prodded, the horse begins to walk forward.  Brianne can be heard in the background reading Revelation, “I saw Heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider was called Faithful and True.”  The dark army cowered, and the golden army prostrated themselves and repeated over and over, “Holy, holy, holy!”  As the rider approaches, Satan backs up.  Gabriel recognizes the eyes that looked so deeply into him at Capernaum.  Jesus scans from person to person.  They all fall to their knees, and Jeremy breathlessly pleads with Jesus for forgiveness.  Jesus asks them to rise.  Satan tells Jesus that they belong to him, and that he has nothing to do with them.  Jesus tells him, “I have searched their hearts, and I find no sign of you there.”  Jesus goes on to name them one by one, and that they stand before him blameless.  Brianne continues to read from Revelation, “And the devil, who deceived them was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur…”  With an ear shattering shriek, Satan and a promise to Jeremy to claim what is his, Satan implodes, sending out a shock wave that blows them off their feet.

Chapter 28:  As the aftermath settles down, they talk to Jeremy and see him as Sarah saw him…a good kid who just hurts really bad.  He talks about how he misses Sarah.  After Brianne shares some of her experience, Jesus comes back on his horse and takes Jeremy.  Ms. Thompson comes and tells them that Jeremy really needed to talk with Jesus.  She explains that Jeremy needs to go through some changes.  Time has continued, where Jeremy has remained the same age.  When Jeremy comes back, he is somewhere in his mid-twenties.  Jeremy is told that his destiny is to write about his experiences.  Ms. Thompson bids Jeremy farewell, and encourages him to go and see his mother.  Jeremy thanks Ms. Thompson for everything.  Ms. Thompson reveals herself once more to them, and they leave to take Jeremy home.  Jeremy’s mother is ecstatic to have Jeremy back, and offers up a feast to all of them.  As they leave, Gabriel finally asks Bib what his new purpose is.  Bib offers up a slightly cryptic answer, but Brianne figures it out, and likely because she just finished reading Revelation.  Bib is to record every name of the ones that earn their way into Heaven…The Lamb’s Book of Life.

Chapter 29:  A year has passed, and the boys have to attend an assembly that features a new author…local boy who had been missing for years, mysteriously reappears, and writes a Christian Bestseller.  He wrote a story chronicling those missing years, but did it with a fantastical twist.  As they’re listening, movement behind the curtains on the stage in the shadows.  From the way it is moving and lurking, Gabriel knows who it is.  Gabe remember that Satan told Jeremy that he would claim what was his.  Gabe makes eye contact with him, and says a prayer of protection over those who were there that day, and that’s when Satan suddenly vanishes.  Gabe thinks all is well, until Satan whispers in his ear that his plan unfold, and there was nothing they could do about it.  Gabriel tells Satan that God always prevails, and draws attention to himself.  Jeremy guesses that something was up, and asks Gabe to stand as the inspiration of a character named Michael, the true hero of the book.  He also introduces Spence as the character named Sam, then mentions the others.  Jeremy invites the two boys up on stage.  Once there he drapes his arm over them, then asks under his breath it they’re alright.  Gabe’s response, “I am, but I’m not so sure about you.”

Audience

My audience for this book is children from ages 10 to 13, Christian and non-Christian.  There are a few adults who have read my book and have been quite impressed.

Promotion

Ambassador International has offered me a contract option.  However, they require all their new and never-before-published authors to buy the first five-hundred books at a cost to me of approximately $4,200.  Once I am published and established through them, I will not be required front this money anymore.  I just cannot afford that without help at this time.  I am currently marketing my book through Kindle Direct Publishing in hopes of raising the money to pursue this opportunity.  I am also open to expanding my marketing potential by finding another reputable publisher that may not have this requirement.  

Competition

Funke, Cornelia Caroline. (2003). Inkheart. New York : Scholastic 

Inkheart is a story where books and their characters can come to life in the real world.  The book is secular, where mine has a Christian, Biblically based plot.

Lewis, C. S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. New York: Scholastic, 1995. Print.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is Biblical allegory with protagonist siblings who must learn to get along according to Biblical principle.  My book is not allegorical.

McGrath, Alister.  (2010) Aedyn Chronicles, The Series Zondervan : NY

Biblically allegorical fantasy set in a more primitive time.  My Story is set in current times both have magic; however, the magic in my book is driven by prayer.

L'Engle, Madeline. (1962).  A Wrinkle in Time. New York : Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 

A Wrinkle in Time is allegorical as well but has a sci-fi/fantasy element. This book also has siblings, as well as a friend having to learn how to work together to achieve a common goal by using each of their strengths to their advantage very much like my characters.  Yet again, this is Biblical allegory, where mine is openly Christian and Biblically based.