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Storms and Scarabs
A spyglass. A rare amulet. An ancient prophecy. Trapped in the past.
Moving to his grandfather’s farm was the last thing Mitch Howell wanted, but his parents did it anyway. Left on his own, Mitch sneaks into the attic of his grandfather’s house and discovers a spyglass. Curious about the spyglass and its connection to his great grandfather, he doesn’t realize is it’s really a portal to the past and the key to an ancient prophecy until it’s too late. Thrown back in time to ancient Egypt with his best friend, Brock, the boys are on a quest to find their way home. But they aren’t the only ones who know the powers of the spyglass. Can they get home before the spyglass falls into the wrong hands and changes the world forever?
Moving to his grandfather’s farm was the last thing Mitch Howell wanted, but his parents did it anyway. Left on his own, Mitch sneaks into the attic of his grandfather’s house and discovers a spyglass. Curious about the spyglass and its connection to his great grandfather, he doesn’t realize is it’s really a portal to the past and the key to an ancient prophecy until it’s too late. Thrown back in time to ancient Egypt with his best friend, Brock, the boys are on a quest to find their way home. But they aren’t the only ones who know the powers of the spyglass. Can they get home before the spyglass falls into the wrong hands and changes the world forever?
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2019
15 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
H.R. Hobbs
9 books26 followersH.R. Hobbs has loved books for as long as she can remember, and it's the reason she became a teacher, and, most recently a writer. An educator for thirty years, H.R. Hobbs writes realistic fiction that connects to teens and young adults. A mother to three grown sons and grandmother to five little darlings, she resides with her husband in the small prairie town where she was born and raised.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 1, 2020
I absolutely loved this fast-paced adventure of two boys who discover a powerful object that unexpectedly flings them through time, right into Ancient Egypt! The boys find themselves in a completely different reality and have to solve the mystery of the spyglass if they are to have the chance to return home.
H.R. Hobbs deftly crafts the ancient world that draws the reader into the clashes between ancient times, and now. I have a particular interest in Ancient Egypt and really enjoyed the adventure the boys go on. The setting seems real and well researched, and the characters were so loveable that you hoped they could solve all their problems - no matter how much hot water they seemed to be in.
A fantastic read that will have you hanging on until the final pages. 5 stars for sure!
H.R. Hobbs deftly crafts the ancient world that draws the reader into the clashes between ancient times, and now. I have a particular interest in Ancient Egypt and really enjoyed the adventure the boys go on. The setting seems real and well researched, and the characters were so loveable that you hoped they could solve all their problems - no matter how much hot water they seemed to be in.
A fantastic read that will have you hanging on until the final pages. 5 stars for sure!
October 24, 2019
Time Travel....Heck Yeah! Storms and Scarabs is an engaging middle years read that would appeal to a wide range of reader, from the reluctant to avid readers. This is a time travel story with twists and turns that kept me rivetted. Great for those history buffs out there, too. I can't wait for the next story in this adventure series! Where will H.R. Hobbs take us next??
October 24, 2019
The first book in The Timechasers series is a thrilling, time-travel adventure that will keep you enthralled to the last page! Mitch and Brock travel back in time to ancient Egypt and have many adventures before returning home. Perfect for any 8-12 year old
October 27, 2019
I highly recommend this adventure story for middle grade. The story follows two young boys as they travel through time to ancient Egypt. Along the way, they learn some valuable lessons. It is a fun story filled with mystery and action.
March 4, 2024
My first question when coming across Storms and Scarabs was: what the heck is a scarab? For those like me who were clueless, a scarab is an ancient Egyptian gem, one that was typically in the shape of a scarab beetle. As foreshadowed by the word in the title, scarabs play a vital role in this interesting fiction read.
Storms and Scarabs revolves around sixth-grade best friends, Mitch and Brock, who are thrown back in time thousands of years. They arrive in ancient Egypt via a portal to the past. Luckily they come across a man who has encountered people like them before, people who’ve “visited from the Great Beyond.” What comes next is a gripping journey involving an embalming shop, an amulet, a sarcophagus (a big stone container that holds a coffin), a Pharaoh and his family, and numerous other historical aspects. A spyglass plays a key role, almost becoming a character itself. The boys struggle to get back to modern times but I won’t ruin the ending by telling you if they make it or not - you’re welcome!
I would wager that this book is targeted for the young adult audience but I believe that anyone of any age will enjoy Storms and Scarabs. It has a powerful and ageless message at its core - your voice is important and you are seen. Another bonus - who doesn’t appreciate an entertaining read.
Hobbs did a phenomenal job of making ancient Egypt come alive for the readers. I could easily envision the people dressed in loose-fitting clothes and sandals, baskets of fruit and grains on their heads. Outdoor markets flourished. Drinking vessels were crafted from gourds and plates were made of leather. Pharaoh was the ruler. People and their items got around via carts pulled by either animals or humans. Soldiers and guards carried shields, spears, and swords. Papyrus was for writing on (traditional paper was still a far-off invention.) Hieroglyphs, an ancient form of writing that used symbols and pictures instead of words, were the language of written communication. What a fascinating time in our world’s history.
Storms and Scarabs is the first book in Hobbs’ new series, Time Chasers. That is great news for those of us who thoroughly enjoyed Storms and Scarabs and can’t wait for more. Hobbs’ last series, Breaking the Rules, had three books. Hopefully the Time Chasers series will have at least that many or more.
If you enjoy reading books like The Magic Tree House and The Time Warp Trio, grab yourself a copy of Storms and Scarabs. Every action-filled page will come to life in your hands.
THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM
Storms and Scarabs revolves around sixth-grade best friends, Mitch and Brock, who are thrown back in time thousands of years. They arrive in ancient Egypt via a portal to the past. Luckily they come across a man who has encountered people like them before, people who’ve “visited from the Great Beyond.” What comes next is a gripping journey involving an embalming shop, an amulet, a sarcophagus (a big stone container that holds a coffin), a Pharaoh and his family, and numerous other historical aspects. A spyglass plays a key role, almost becoming a character itself. The boys struggle to get back to modern times but I won’t ruin the ending by telling you if they make it or not - you’re welcome!
I would wager that this book is targeted for the young adult audience but I believe that anyone of any age will enjoy Storms and Scarabs. It has a powerful and ageless message at its core - your voice is important and you are seen. Another bonus - who doesn’t appreciate an entertaining read.
Hobbs did a phenomenal job of making ancient Egypt come alive for the readers. I could easily envision the people dressed in loose-fitting clothes and sandals, baskets of fruit and grains on their heads. Outdoor markets flourished. Drinking vessels were crafted from gourds and plates were made of leather. Pharaoh was the ruler. People and their items got around via carts pulled by either animals or humans. Soldiers and guards carried shields, spears, and swords. Papyrus was for writing on (traditional paper was still a far-off invention.) Hieroglyphs, an ancient form of writing that used symbols and pictures instead of words, were the language of written communication. What a fascinating time in our world’s history.
Storms and Scarabs is the first book in Hobbs’ new series, Time Chasers. That is great news for those of us who thoroughly enjoyed Storms and Scarabs and can’t wait for more. Hobbs’ last series, Breaking the Rules, had three books. Hopefully the Time Chasers series will have at least that many or more.
If you enjoy reading books like The Magic Tree House and The Time Warp Trio, grab yourself a copy of Storms and Scarabs. Every action-filled page will come to life in your hands.
THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM
October 28, 2019
Absolutely loved this book!!!
The author has a real talent and a fabulous way with words. The story effortlessly unfolds with authenticity—especially in regards to the relationship the boys have and how they interact with others. The main storyline was cleverly interwoven with other subplots and life lessons that kept the story moving at a fast clip. I loved how the author had shared a fair amount of interesting Egyptian history which was delivered in an artful, natural manner rather than an info dumping overload. I can’t wait to share this book with my children and have no doubt it will be a favourite on the shelf!! I look forward to reading book 2.
The author has a real talent and a fabulous way with words. The story effortlessly unfolds with authenticity—especially in regards to the relationship the boys have and how they interact with others. The main storyline was cleverly interwoven with other subplots and life lessons that kept the story moving at a fast clip. I loved how the author had shared a fair amount of interesting Egyptian history which was delivered in an artful, natural manner rather than an info dumping overload. I can’t wait to share this book with my children and have no doubt it will be a favourite on the shelf!! I look forward to reading book 2.
November 19, 2019
This is a fun adventure sure to appeal to any inquisitive kid who has ever wanted to snoop around in an old attic! (Yep, I was that kid!) It also has excitement and suspense, as well as warmth and heart as the kids get to know their new hosts—and each other. The author did a great job conveying the boys' initial homesickness when they find themselves in another time, yet it was tempered with the excitement of being in a strange land and trying to fit in the best they could. A fun story!
October 27, 2019
What a fun adventure!
I so enjoyed this book! No spoilers here, but the adventure these boys take was full of intrigue and rich historical references. I found the descriptions of the mummification process fascinating. I think old and young alike will enjoy this fast paced story. I hope there are more books to come!
I so enjoyed this book! No spoilers here, but the adventure these boys take was full of intrigue and rich historical references. I found the descriptions of the mummification process fascinating. I think old and young alike will enjoy this fast paced story. I hope there are more books to come!
April 21, 2020
Great beginning of a new series. Following in his great-grandfather’s footsteps, Mitch and his friend Brock, time travel to ancient Egypt via a magical spyglass. Throughout the book’s many twists and turns, the reader learns about culture of ancient Egypt. A great adventure for your young adult reader.
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November 19, 2021A fast-paced adventure about two boys stuck in Ancient Egypt desperately trying to find a way home. They quickly discover that there is a connection between a great-grandfather and the evil High Priest who is trying to fulfill an ancient prophecy that has the potential change the world as they know it.
Readers of history and stories of friendship will enjoy this trip back in time.
Readers of history and stories of friendship will enjoy this trip back in time.
October 22, 2019
The mystery is what kept me going through the entire book. Mitch and Brock were so believable I thought that I was sitting right there during their adventure. I held my breath every time I though Mitch was about to find the answer to his great grand father George.
Well put together and a great read for all ages. I will be recommending this story to my 12 year old nephew and my other nephews as well.
Merged review:
The mystery is what kept me going through the entire book. Mitch and Brock were so believable I thought that I was sitting right there during their adventure. I held my breath every time I though Mitch was about to find the answer to his great grand father George.
Well put together and a great read for all ages. I will be recommending this story to my 12 year old nephew and my other nephews as well.
Well put together and a great read for all ages. I will be recommending this story to my 12 year old nephew and my other nephews as well.
Merged review:
The mystery is what kept me going through the entire book. Mitch and Brock were so believable I thought that I was sitting right there during their adventure. I held my breath every time I though Mitch was about to find the answer to his great grand father George.
Well put together and a great read for all ages. I will be recommending this story to my 12 year old nephew and my other nephews as well.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews