The Mystery of Nan Madol: A Pacific Island Adventure

by Christine Z. Mason

An ancient mystery, an astounding discovery, a medicine man with magical powers--a girl, her brother and an intriguing island boy on a perilous trek through the jungle. . . THE MYSTERY OF NAN MADOLWhen Sidney and her brother Peter fly with their father to the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia, they expect to live in a beautiful native-style home in a tropical paradise. Sidney wants to solve one of the greatest mysteries of all time--who built the ancient stone city of Nan Madol on Pohnpei a thousand years ago? Giants? Godlike creatures from another planet? On the island, conditions are more horrifying than Pete and Sid had ever imagined. Beginning on the very first night, frightening intruders are sent by the Nanmarki, the king of Nan Madol, to scare them away from the mysterious ancient ruins. Then 14-year-old islander Jabro takes Sid and Pete on a trip that turns into a dangerous struggle for survival in the jungle. About the Author: CHRISTINE MASON served as a Peace Corps Volunteer on the island of Pohnpei in the Eastern Caroline Islands of Micronesia, where she taught Art and Photography at the Community College of Micronesia. She writes fiction for young people and adults.Chris lives with her family in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. She hopes to return to the island of Pohnpei one day and to re-visit the amazing stone city of Nan Madol.

166 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2011

About the author

I was born in Chicago but grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from UCLA with a degree in English Literature and attended UCLA English Graduate School before joining the Peace Corps in Micronesia. On the island of Pohnpei, I taught Art and Photography at the Community College of Micronesia as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Afterwards I attended law school at University of California at Davis, then practiced appellate and constitutional law, doing juvenile, felony and capital appeals as well as trial work. I am now a full-time writer living in northern California. I've published short fiction, a children's adventure novel set in Micronesia, The Mystery of the Ancient Stone City and Boundaries: A Love Story. Weighing the Truth, my newest novel, is a character-driven legal suspense story about a female death penalty attorney facing personal challenges and increasing danger.
Besides writing and reading, I enjoy painting, photography, and hiking in the redwoods.

Reviews

[Kimberly Westrope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully engaging coming of age story that is also full of adventure and just a wee touch of budding romance. When Thirteen tear old, Sydney and her family move to Pohnpei, she can't wait to explore, particularly the island of Nan Madol where ancient mysteries abound. But visitors are not welcome in this sacred place, so when Sidney, her little brother, Pete, and their native guide, Jarbo, accidently crash their small boat on the island, big trouble ensues.

The author has extensive knowledge of the area and the people, and it shows in her protrayals of the native people and their customs, thoughout the story. The characters are quite endearing, and the story is well thought out and fast-paced. Though intended for a much younger audience, I found it a delightful and enchanting read.