The Missing Locket (Cynthia's Attic Book One) [Paperback]

Mary Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Cynthia's Attic

Magical costumes, disappearing stairs and a spooky attic filled with dusty antiques what more could two, adventurous, young girls ask for?

Best friends, Cynthia and Gus as she prefers to be called, are as 'different as bubble gum and broccoli.' They are, however, equal in their ability to get into trouble without much effort.

In trying to escape the boring summer of 1964, the adventurous twelve-year-old girls stumble upon a trunk in Cynthia's attic that has been in her family for three generations.

They discover its mystical qualities when they are swept into the trunk and whisked back to 1914, literally into the lives of their twelve-year-old grandmothers, Clara and Bess. The mystery of a missing family locket is revealed. Their quest takes numerous twists and turns, including a life-and-death struggle on a large steamship traveling from England to America.

Along with perilous escapades, they make important, sometimes humorous discoveries about their ancestors, and even manage to change history...for the better...along the way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fantastic time travel fantasy that middle school children will treasure. The escapades of Gus and Cynthia grip the audience…with humor and trepidation, but always with fun… Readers will appreciate time traveling with this dynamic duo…and continuing in the past on the high seas." --The Readers Guild

"Young readers will be captivated by the adventures of Augusta Lee "Gus" and Cynthia, two twelve-year-old friends who find excitement and danger…" --Melinda Richarz Bailey, author of the young reader novel, Murder At The Oaklands Mansion

From the Author

My series, Cynthia's Attic, is inspired by a 20-year recurring dream about a mysterious attic. When I realized that the dream took place in the home of my childhood best friend, Cynthia, I wrote a short memoir about our friendship and the "early days." That memoir  turned into a 4-book (soon to be 5) 'Tween fantasy/mysteries.
 
Cynthia and I lost touch for years, but shortly after the first two books were published, my husband and I moved to West Georgia within 40 miles of Cynthia's home! Our first meeting, after almost 20 years, was spent talking and laughing as if we were still sitting in her attic searching through boxes and trunks of memories. She loves the books and our friendship remains strong and true. 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Echelon Press Publishing (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590804414
• ISBN-13: 978-1590804414
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,161,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I live in my own little world, but it's okay, they know me here."


Author, Mary Cunningham grew up in the sleepy little town of Corydon, Indiana. And she really means, "in the town!" Her house was just beyond the main intersection that took Southern Indiana cars and trucks from north to west. That was well before I-64 zoomed traffic just north of town, so imagine the teeth-grinding sound an 18-wheeler made wheeling around the tight corner, then downshifting as they passed her house. Winter? Not so bad. Summer with the windows open? Countless sleepless nights sitting on the porch with her dad telling stories and learning about the constellations.


After 10 years as a bank teller, followed by a horrifying stint as a travel agent and more rewarding experience teaching travel and tourism and the airline computer reservation system, she finally realized that her heart belonged to writing.


Her childhood experiences, and a recurring dream about a mysterious attic, inspired her to create characters, Cynthia and Augusta Lee, for her award-winning 'Tween series, "Cynthia's Attic." Like Cynthia and Gus, her childhood best friend, Cynthia and she grew up in a small, Southern Indiana town...the setting for the series. Cunningham and her friends spent much of the summer playing softball, hide and seek, badminton, and croquet in a vacant lot on her block. Years later, those joyful summers would be recalled in the four-book series, "Cynthia's Attic."


She is also co-author of the humor-filled lifestyle book, (WOOF) Women Only Over Fifty, along with a published short stories, Ghost Light, and "Cynthia's Attic" short story, Christmas With Daisy.


At present, she is awaiting the release of Cynthia's Attic: Five (June 15, 2012) in between writing 2 adult mysteries.


Cunningham is a member of The Georgia Reading Association, and the Carrollton Creative Writers Club.


When she gives her fingers a day away from the keyboard, she enjoys golf, swimming and exploring the mountains of West Georgia where she makes her home with her husband. Together they've raised three creative children, have 2 granddaughters and an adopted, four-legged, furry daughter, Lucy.


At last count, she's moved 9 times into six different states (all after the age of 36), and aside from the packing and unpacking, she believes it's been a great experience, having made some very dear and lasting friendships.


Mary Cunningham spends non-writing time showing power point presentations on gathering ideas and the writing process to schools and libraries.


She may be reached through her publisher, Quake/Echelon Press, or through her website: Marycunninghambooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic time travel fantasy, March 12, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Missing Locket (Cynthia's Attic Book One) (Paperback)

In 1964 Cynthia and Augusta are best friends though they are total opposites. Whereas Cynthia hates to break a nail Gus is a tomboy willing to slide in third base head first. School is out for summer so the pals wonder how to spend all their free time besides irritating Cynthia's older sister Danielle. They decide to check out CYNTHIA'S ATTIC before her parents clean it out as the adults plan on doing shortly.

In the attic they find an old rusted scratched up trunk containing stuff from Cynthia's grandmother Clara. Not long afterward, Cynthia and Gus return to the attic, but the trunk looks brand new with no rust, dust or nicks and everything inside seems pristine; additionally Cynthia and all her items and that of her immediate family have vanished. A tall woman calls Gus, Bess and asks where Clara is; recognizing the woman from an old photo as Cynthia's great-grandmother, Gus realizes she and Cynthia are in the bodies of Bess and Clara in 1914. The adventures are just beginning for what will be the most exciting summer of their lives as they search for a missing locket that once belonged to great-great Aunt Isabelle, who disappeared on an ocean voyage to New York.

This is a fantastic time travel fantasy that middle school children will treasure. The escapades of Gus and Cynthia grip the audience as the two friends adapt to their situation with humor and trepidation, but always with fun while trying to solve an "ancient" mystery that occurred before their parents were born. Readers will appreciate time traveling with this dynamic duo starting in CYNTHIA'S ATTIC and continuing in the past on the high seas.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nancy Drew Meets Harry Potter! What Captivating Adventures These Two Girls Undertake!, December 13, 2005

By 

Janalee Ruschhaupt (Fresno, California U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Missing Locket (Cynthia's Attic Book One) (Paperback)

If adventure is what you seek, come join hands and form a link. Follow this curious trio, as they search through the attic - dust bunnies, cobwebs and all. Watch your step and be prepared, because hidden treasures are everywhere!

Two twelve-year-old best friends, Gus and Cynthia, have decided to snoop in Cynthia's parents' attic. It is upon finding an old trunk and its contents that the adventures will be unlocked, and Gus and Cynthia are flung into a voyage of discovery. So put on your thinking cap, and come a long for the exciting exploration with Gus and Cynthia!

Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket is by author Mary Cunningham.

This is the start of a wonderful and fanciful series. Ms. Cunningham has spun a delightful and memorable young adult fantasy! This has all the qualities of a fantastic chapter book that can be incorporated into any school system's repertoire. With its simplistic wordplay and adventuresome premise, the readers can follow a long with the girls to experience their excitement within the attic; and delve into the wondrous escapades hidden inside. What an enchanting tale! Even though this is a young adult's book, this over forty-reader thoroughly enjoyed it.

It is a captivating combination of Nancy Drew meets Harry Potter...

It is through Gus' imaginative voice that the readers get to travel through this tale. Cynthia is the perfect little lady that is until she starts tripping over her own two feet. Then there is Gus, with her tomboy persona. Together they made the perfect foil for each other. They trek through this tale in girlish harmony. You could not ask for a better friendship than the one that exists between these two goofballs.

Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket is a treasure and, one that should be on every parent's Christmas list this year. What a great book for the readers to get lost in the adventures of Gus and Cynthia, while learning a long the way! This book comes highly regarded by this reviewer!

Reviewed by © Janalee Ruschhaupt, 2005
Courtesy of Love Romances www.loveromances.com

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery entwined with history - a suspenseful, humerous teen time travel adventure, March 4, 2007

By 

mitch lits (Marietta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Missing Locket (Cynthia's Attic Book One) (Paperback)

Mary Cunningham's novel, Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket, tells the story of two twelve-year-old girls, Cynthia and Gus, best friends, who embark on a startling supernatural adventure as a magical trunk in Cynthia's attic propels them fifty years into the past where they encounter their grandmothers when they were twelve year old best friends.
Core values of family, friendship, loyalty and love pervade this rapid fire page turning tale as Cynthia and Gus struggle to unravel dark mysteries entwining their family's present and past.
The tension is parlayed with humor creating a perfect mix to enthrall both teen and adult readers alike.
I am an adult reader and writer who loved this book and am now enthusiastically sharing it with my daughters, ages fifteen and eleven.
I look forward to reading more by this exceptional author, Mary Cunningham.

Mitch Lits, author of A Little of Your Time and Dream Travelers.