The Mysterious Abductions
Page 11
With everyone free and together, the cavern felt vibrant and warm. Even the glow of the Sea Sparkle seemed to shine a bit brighter.
Dawn gazed at the scene one last time. Then she turned to her two, loyal friends. “We are not alone,” she said. “Any of us.”
With heads held high, the Brigade made their way toward the surface. As they squeezed into the tight tunnel that led to the riverside, a faint voice echoed up from below.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the game!”
Bismark punched the dirt. “That scoundrel!” he yelled. “That imposter! Up to his old tricks again, I see!”
Tobin padded up to the sugar glider. “Don’t worry,” he said reassuringly. “He doesn’t have your special talents!”
The sugar glider took a deep breath. “You’re right, of course, mi amigo. The jerboa lacks my unique flair! A true announcer needs wit! Worldliness! An extensive and complex vocabulary.”
The pangolin and the fox nodded. Then the voice rang out once again.
“I am Jerry,” said the jerboa, “your multilingual m-maestro! Hola! Bonjour! Sh-sh-shalom!”
Bismark’s jaw dropped in horror. “My goodness! My gracious! Mon dieu!”
The Adventures Continue in Book 2 of The Nocturnals
Check out our website to watch videos, get a sneak peek at Book 2 and get extras!
www.nocturnalsworld.com
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Acknowledgements
Most things start with the help and kindness of a friend, and with this book the friend was Dean Kehler. I then met Jane Stine, who I would happily dine with at Periyali any day of the week. After Jane came Susan Lurie, our amazing Susan Lurie! Susan who makes the work stronger and the process great fun. Kevin O’Connor came along soon after that, and thank goodness both for his introduction to Julie Schaper and the wonderful team at Consortium as well as to Stacey Ashton. Stacey makes more happen in an hour than I do in a week and I hope never to be without her. Then to Kate Liebman who was interwoven throughout this, doing an unprecedented number of illustrations that I think are among the most beautiful images for any book I’ve ever seen. To Bailey Carr for our favorite hours each week. To Debra Drodvillo, Jill Vinitsky, Suzy Jurist and Jacques LeMaitre who make the package pretty. To Lauren Wohl, Deb Shapiro, Kate Lied, Wiley Saichek and Mary McAveney who teach me all the most important things and then help me do them. To Lisette Farah, Nina Passero and Joe Gervasi who keep it all running.
And then to our writers’ room. A thanks like no other. To Tommy Fagin, Sarah Fieber, Rumur Dowling, Danai Kadzere and Carl Cota-Robles. I like to create, but I love to collaborate, and you make this work what it is. I hope over time I can give back to each of you even half of what I have received. Your series’ are next.
Then of course, as with all stories, there are the ones who do the really heavy lifting, the family and friends. Leo, Claire, Nina, Katie, Blair, Stella, Emma, Kelley, Olivia, Mack, JT, Lee, Mom and Dad. Lisa, Michael, Barbara, Michael, Marc. Jess, Lex, Erin and Philip. Thank you for being where I go when it’s good and also when it’s bad.
And then lastly, though of course he is also the beginning and the middle and everything in between, my thanks to David.
Thank you, so much, to all of you.
About the Author
Tracey Hecht is a writer and entrepreneur who has written, directed and produced several films and founded multiple businesses. Her company Fabled Films is releasing The Nocturnals. This is Tracey Hecht’s first middle grade book.
About the Illustrator
Kate Liebman is an artist who lives and works in New York City. She graduated from Yale University, contributes to the Brooklyn Rail, and has shown her work at various galleries. This is her first children’s book.
About Fabled Films
Fabled Films is a publishing and entertainment company creating original content for middle grade and Y/A audiences. Fabled Films Press combines strong literary properties with high quality production values to connect books with generations of parents and their children. Each property is supported with additional content in the form of animated web series and social media as well as websites featuring activities for children, parents, bookstores, educators and librarians.
FABLED FILMS PRESS
NEW YORK CITY