♥ Gold Awards--Mom's Choice Book Awards and Moonbeam Children's Book Awards ★ "A well-developed mystery in which young detectives have fun while saving the day." - Kirkus Review Kids, get ready to meet your new heroes! In Book 1 of the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, four modern-day teen sleuths take on ancient Egypt and those intent on stopping their investigation. . . . World-famous Egyptologist Dr. Winston Thornsley died suddenly two months ago in disgrace. His widow, Ida Thornsley, remains convinced her husband was falsely accused of stealing an ancient burial urn he discovered in Egypt last summer, but local and federal law enforcement officers are stumped. Mrs. Thornsley, desperate for answers, calls in her thirteen-year-old neighbors, the Botanic Hill Detectives—twins Lanny and Lexi Wyatt, Moki Kalani, and Rani Kumar. Their exciting mission? To find the urn and its real thief, bring the criminal to justice, and exonerate Dr. Thornsley so his spotless reputation can be restored. A roomful of venomous snakes, the poisoned Egyptian pond, and Dragon Pit Man are just a few of the tests awaiting the four tech-savvy teenagers. As the detectives begin to unravel the sinister plot, the mystery takes a dangerous turn. Answers are at their fingertips—if they can only convince their parents to let them solve the case. "Sherrill Joseph has created characters so lovable and interesting that readers can't help but feel like they are personal friends. Lexi, Moki, Rani, and Lanny become four young detectives off to track down a sacred urn, but the lessons they learn extend far beyond an Egyptian artifact. This is a story of friendship and determination that will keep kids glued until the end." -- Sam Ashkenas, Author of The Sammy Dragon Series "If you have middle-graders who imagine themselves super sleuths, A Botanic Hill Detectives Mystery--Book 1, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets , is a good bet. . . . Author Sherrill Joseph obviously did an amazing amount of research to include accurate details for her young readers. . . ." --Flora Beach Burlingame, Author of Path of Progress: One Man's Fight for Women's Rights "The four protagonists are distinctly drawn. . . . The Egyptology element is intriguing and informative, with plenty of detail for Egypt enthusiasts. . . . Overall, Joseph has written a fine first volume with plenty of good backstory and clear series potential. A well-developed mystery in which young detectives have fun while saving the day." --Kirkus Reviews "Once you enter the world of the Botanic Hill detectives, you'll be engaged, enlightened, and entranced. Readers will hungrily turn pages until the mystery is solved and be fascinated by the Egyptian history the author cleverly weaves into this captivating story." -- R.D. Kardon, Author of Flygirl "This story makes you feel like you were there. I love how it was written." -- Liam, 5th grader from Macungie, Pennsylvania Why I Created "Super Sleuths" If my four teen detectives seem unusually mature, polite, and helpful, they are--by design!  My goal was--and still is--to create positive role models, someone for kids ages nine to twelve to look up to in this scary world and, perhaps, to emulate. Better yet, I want my four "super sleuths" to become kids' new heroes.  The detectives' real-life prototypes were my thirteen-year-old twin cousins and my eleven -year-old fifth grade students. That's right. Eleven. They were some of the smartest, most poised, and respectful kids I ever had the pleasure to teach. They energized me and made me feel daily that our planet will be in good hands with them at the helm. Then it hit me! Wouldn't it be wonderful if more kids could develop the same abilities to let their best selves shine forth? If they could boost their confidence in order to showcase their intelligence and skills, not be ashamed of them? If their concerns for others might translate into being more helpful at home and in their communities? So, I launched my uber-efficient Botanic Hill detectives as guides for kids to courageously "up their game." Nancy Drew was my childhood courage coach. Why not see if this concept would work for today's kids? I hope to get their feedback about this when I visit schools. How "Las Palmitas" and "Botanic Hill" Originated My book's setting is the Pacific coastal resort town of Las Palmitas ("the little palm trees"). It's a quainter version of palm-filled San Diego, California, USA, where I reside. I came up with the concept of "Botanic Hill" one day while walking my dog, Jimmy Lambchop. He and I live in an old neighborhood with charming botanical street names like Jacaranda Street, Nutmeg Street, and Quince Street. There is even a neighborhood nearby called Bankers Hill; hence, "Hill." As a child, I always wanted to live on Nutmeg Street because I thought something magical would happen to me there. Well, I never did end up living on Nutmeg Street, but on that walk that day, it