"Catacombs and the Forbidden City is like Indiana Jones, the Magic Tree House, and Age of Empires all rolled into one. It contains enough action, suspense, and vivid imagery to be the equivalent of an exciting computer game! This makes Catacombs and the Forbidden City perfect reading material for its intended age level, including reluctant readers. At the same time, the story is well-written and the language is not dumbed down in any way. While it is based on a classic theme of good vs. evil, the plot is unique and revolves around a sophisticated scenario. Historic and scientific details are seamlessly woven into the text, adding an educational aspect that teachers and parents will appreciate. The accompanying study guides for general and Christian educators show that the author has placed a great deal of thought and care into her work. Recommended for fans of historical fiction, adventure, fantasy, and mysteries!"
--Teri Ann Berg Olsen, Newspaper Columnist, "Not Just For Kids", Author/Publisher, "Learning for Life: Educational Words of Wisdom", Arizona State Coordinator, The Old Schoolhouse, Leader, Desert Hills Christian Homeschoolers

"Anyone who enjoys discoveries, mysteries and adventure will love this book!"
---Chauni Haslet, owner, All for Kids Books, Seattle, WA

"The Catacombs and the Forbidden City by: Sarah Gerdes is an action packed story that has a nice blend of historical fiction, adventure, mystery, and fantasy.   This book contains classic elements of good vs. evil, eternal life and death, as well as mythical creatures, a zombie, magical powers, and the brutal nature of war.   The historical aspects of this book make it comparable to other books such as the Magic Tree House books or the Time Warp Trio, but with a more sophisticated reader appeal.  During my reading I could not help but feel it would make a wonderful screenplay, along the lines of Indiana Jones.  I felt it laid a strong foundation for future books and leaves the readers clamoring for another romp through history in order to find out what will happen to the Fleeners and what will happen when the orb has been filled!  It will be hard to top this "eye popping", "rib cracking" adventure."
---Lisa Everitt
Teacher Librarian
Thoreau Elementary, Kirkland, WA

"Catacombs will do well anyway as it's well written, has an interesting location and lots of action (martial arts are very popular). If you look at the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz (James Bond for boys) and the success of this series (the movie will release in Sept) you will see that action is very appealing to boys in particular. And the teachers like them too because even reluctant readers get hooked on them. I also like that you include historical detail at the end of the book, it's a great way for kids to learn information without realizing it. I particularly enjoyed the setting, the good descriptions of palace life and intrigue in the Forbidden City. Comparable series would be the Magic Tree House Series but obviously for an older age, or the Jumpman time travel series. I'll be ready for an event when you are!"
---Mary Harris, owner, Park Place Books, Kirkland WA

"Catacombs and the Forbidden City is a full-blown thriller! My hat goes off to Ms. Gerdes for her compelling knowledge and use of historical China in this "pre-quel" novel to Catacombs and the Lava Bed Forest. A more complex vocabulary (yet deeply rich and much appreciated by the reader) and more descriptive acts of drama (Mia's broken hand, guard impaled by unicorn) set the tone for a book best suited to ten and above. Ms. Gerdes uses incredibly vivid descriptions of the almost non-stop action; her word choice and background knowledge are evident on every page. While the Magic Treehouse series has appeal to younger readers in the genre of historical fiction, Catacombs and the Forbidden City appeals to a much broader age category and could easily be used by teachers in grades 3-6 in conjunction with studies of the Chinese culture."
---Sally Noland
Teacher Librarian
Arrowhead Elementary, Redmond, WA

"What an exciting story! I loved how you were able to include so many elements from science and history in the story. The characters are very likable -- I'm sure they will be a hit for this age group. I'm ready for the second book!"
---Catherine Pavlik, Librarian, Hollywood Hill Elementary

"It is simply terrific.  I loved that it is historical fiction with some fantasy - just enough to hook both sides of the reading spectrum.   I often skip pages because I have so many books to read - and it usually doesn't matter. However, I couldn't do it in your book!  There was so much action was too hooked on what was going to happen next.  I really enjoyed a number of the secondary characters like Zheng He that were fabulous and interesting on their own which added a lot of depth to the story."    

"I know kids are going to love this book - and it is so well set up to be a series.(where are we going next?) As for me, I'm making my list of customers who will love this book - and I'm planning the launch party - maybe a big Orb in the middle of the store! Just let me know when." 
---Jane Shay, owner, Lilypad Books, Issaquah, WA

Reviews for My Book of Life

What a delight it was reading the manuscript for My Book of Life.  I got "hooked" into the drama/adventure of the story and really enjoyed the ride. I could see us having some great discussions and insights.  The book was entertaining, thought provoking, and for me, personally, instructional.  While I was reading the manuscript a close family friend and dear friend of my 18 year old daughter was killed in a drowning accident. The timely combination of these two things really made me look at death and life and realize, among many other things, how much we truly do affect others.  I want to feel and find the very best in not only every person, but in every place, in every experience, and in every moment that I can.
Muriel Ward
Book Group Leader
Issaquah, WA

"Sarah makes us look back and see the wake that is our lives.  We don't get a second chance but we can make a difference -  and what a difference we can make . . . "
Mark Crawford
Reader, Seattle, WA

About the Author

Sarah Gerdes made a name for herself in the business world, establishing outsourced partner development (BMGINC) as a category for consulting services and products in 1996. Sarah grew this niche by first consulting with small businesses, then Fortune 500 firms such as Microsoft, Sony, American Express and IBM. Her successful programs led to profiles in Fortune Magazine, Inc. Magazine, The Economist, Entrepreneur Magazine, and speaking at leading academic institutions such as Harvard and MIT. By 1999, she had provided counsel to the US, Ireland and Canadian economic development groups, and supplied expert commentary to print, radio and television programs such as NRP and CBS. This culminated in her gaining the exclusive contract as the partnership consultant to the Government of Britain's North American consumer marketing group.

Yet she found the business world and its allure waning after the publication of her non-fiction book, Navigating the Partnership Maze (McGraw-Hill), and she turned her attention to writing books for young readers. With her love of history, geology, time travel and adventure, she embarked on a journey to create a captivating story to engage readers in core educational subjects. This resulted in her first book, Catacombs and the Lava Bed Forest. Published in 2005 and provided to only a half dozen Seattle-based children’s bookstores, word of mouth from readers to educators carried the book into the hands of more than 10,000 students in a single school year. Based on this overwhelming success, Sarah re-crafted the initial story line and build a five-book series. Catacombs and the Forbidden City was pre-released to a select group of educators, bookstore owners and librarians in winter 2007.  Sarah refined the study guides for Catacombs and the Forbidden City through in-classroom workshops with fourth and fifth graders, educators and librarians over a four-month period. The result are easy to use, engaging and productive reading program that draws in even the most reluctant readers, inspiring a learning experience across several core subject areas.