Jack and Annie kept walking across the pasturetoward the road. Annie stopped when they neared thefarmhouse. We have to find the silk weaver and give her themessage, she said. Let's do that on our way back, said Jack. I'mworried about finding the Impe...
Oh, wow, Annie said. These clothes feel so soft. And look, I have a pocket for my secret library card.Jack opened his eyes. Their clothes had magicallychanged. They no longer wore jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers. Instead, they had on baggy pants, loose...
Prologue One summer day in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, amysterious tree house appeared in the woods. Eightyear-old Jack and his seven-year-old sister, Annie,climbed into the tree house. They found that it was filled with books. Jack and Annie soon disc...
Jack didn't move. He had never been so tired in allhis life. Breathe, said Annie. Jack gulped in cool, clean air. He opened his eyes. He couldn't see a thing. Take off your glasses, said Annie. They're filthy.Jack took off his glasses. The first thin...
The bridge must have caved in! cried Annie. They stared at the dried-up stream. Pumice hadpiled up in huge drifts, like snow. We'll have to get through that stuff to get across!said Jack. He and Annie slid down the bank onto the piles ofpumice. As th...
In the distance, fire burst from Mount Vesuvius. Burning rocks and fiery ash fell from the sky. The hot, dusty air smelled like rotten eggs as Jackand Annie rushed down the street. In the forum,everyone--shoppers, soldiers, gladiators, fruit sellers-...
The next thing Jack knew, he was lying on thestone patio. The patio stones were trembling. Arumbling sound came from the ground. 12Jack raised his head. Annie was on the ground, too. You okay? said Annie. Jack nodded. Everything was shaking and crash...
Jack threw open the door to the room of scrolls. Heand Annie rushed in and ran over to the shelves. Jack pulled out the piece of paper with the Latintitle on it: Vir Fortissimus in MundoOkay he said. We have to find the scroll withthis title.They beg...
Jack and Annie ran up to the front entrance of thevilla. Jack pushed the door open. Go in. Hurry, said Annie. They slipped into the main hall. Hello! Annie called. There was no answer. The place seemed empty. The main hall had a large opening in the...
Jack and Annie hid behind a fruit stall. They waitedfor a moment, then peered around the corner. I don't see her, said Jack. Who was she? asked Annie. I don't know. But she looked nuts to me, said Jack. What's the book say about her? said Annie. She...