Ch1-The Golden Age

Season of the Sandstorms

CHAPTER ONE The Golden Age Jack put his math homework aside. He opened the drawer beside his bed and pulled out a small, handmade book. For the hundredth time, he stared at the title on the cover:

10 MAGIC RHYMES FOR ANNIE AND JACK FROM TEDDY AND KATHLEEN For weeks, Jack had kept the book hidden in his drawer, wondering when he and Annie would be able to use its magic again. The book's ten rhymes were to be used on four missions, and each rhyme could be used only once. Jack and Annie had already used two rhymes on a mission in Venice, Italy. "Jack!" Annie rushed into Jack's room. Her eyes were shining. "Bring the book! Let's go!" "Where?" said Jack.

"You know where! Come on!" Annie called as she ran back downstairs. Jack quickly put Teddy and Kathleen's book into his backpack. He pulled on his jacket and took off down the stairs. Annie was waiting on the front porch. "Hurry!" she cried. "Wait! How do you know it's there?" Jack said. "Because I just saw it!" Annie shouted. She hurried down the porch steps and crossed the yard. "You saw it? Actually saw it?" yelled Jack as he followed Annie through the chilly afternoon air.

"Yes! Yes!" Annie yelled. "When?" shouted Jack. "Just now!" said Annie. "I was walking home from the library and I had this feeling —so I went and looked! It's waiting for us!" Jack and Annie raced into the Frog Creek woods. They ran between the budding trees, over the fresh green moss of early spring, until they came to the tallest oak. "See?" said Annie. "Yes," breathed Jack. He stared up at the magic tree house. Its rope ladder dangled above the mossy ground. Annie started climbing up. Jack followed. When they got inside, Jack pulled off his backpack.

"Look, a book and a letter!" Annie said. She picked up a folded letter from the floor, and Jack picked up a book with a gold cover. "Baghdad," Jack said. He showed the book to Annie. Its title was: THE GOLDEN AGE OF BAGHDAD "A golden age?" said Annie. "That sounds cool. Let's go!"