Pioneer Puzzle

The Enchanted Tunnel #1

by Marianne Monson

Nathan and Aria have a secret ...

Things start to get strange when one Sunday after church a game of tag takes the twins under the stage where the chairs are usually kept.

Crawling through the dark space, they quickly realize they are no longer in the cultural hall. In fact, they're not even in their own time! Nathan and Aria find themselves with a group of pioneers about to head into the Salt Lake Valley.

What will the children learn from the pioneers? How will the twins get back home?

Find out in book 1 of The Enchanted Tunnel series!

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2010

About the author

Marianne Monson is a women's history author known for unearthing remarkable stories of incredible women. Her 2016 book, "Frontier Grit," was nominated for an American Library Association Amelia Bloomer Award, and her 2018 "Women of the Blue and Gray" was awarded a silver medal in the military category by Foreword Reviews.

Her work has been praised by reviewers:

"the biographies zing with personality and page-turning prose" -Publishers Weekly

"the diversity of her subjects is outstanding" -Booklist

"a deftly written work of fiction" -Midwest Book Review

"Monson is an excellent storyteller whose research fills in the gaps" -Foreword Reviews

Marianne lives in Astoria, Oregon, where she writes from a 100-year-old house. When not writing or reading, you can find her exploring nearby trails. You can follow her adventures at: www.mariannemonson.com.

Reviews

[Marianne Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the author of these books, which were inspired by my children's escapades and endless imagination. I'd love to hear what you think about them!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

An appropriate book for 4-6th graders who have some background in Mormon pioneer stories. A short story of 2 children who enter an enchanted tunnel in their church building and time travel to the time a wagon company of Mormon pioneers are entering Salt Lake Valley. These children get to help search for lost oxen, survive a heavy rainstorm and get a taste of the food and chores of that era before returning back through the tunnel to a surprised mother.

[Carter]

In the book enchanted tunnel book one pioneer puzzle there are two kids named Aria and Nathan. One Sunday after their classes Aria and Nathan were playing in the gymnasium. They were going under the stage where they keep the chairs. While they were climbing under the stage they found that it was beginning to get rockier and herder and it felt like dirt and suddenly they were outside.

Nathan is the boy of the two twins and the one that gets most along with Joseph. Nathan learned from Joseph how to milk cows, rope bulls and how to gather firewood. He learned what it means to be a pioneer. He has lots of fun with Joseph and the pioneer’s while his sister just wants to be home.

I liked the book because it included a prophet from the church and someone that I already knew. It was an adventurous book. I got to learn more about the pioneers. I liked how they explored through a secret tunnel.

[Johntammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story to my 9 year old daughter for a bedtime story. We both enjoyed it. She learned some things about pioneers that she didn't know. Like what are johnnycakes and oxen? We will be making the recipe at the end of the book.

[Jonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series that is similar to the Magic Tree Books but with an LDS spin. It focuses primary on biblical and LDS history. My 6 ( almost 7) year old really enjoyed it. We found that the author is a pretty nearest lady :-)

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it taught me about Joseph Smith.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read for my 2nd grader.

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very good book. I think everybody should read it.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was cool when they found the tunnel. I liked it, it was a fun book. It was good.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia loves this series. It's like Magic Tree House for LDS kids. Very entertaining and easy for her to read.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sounds sort of like an LDS version of The Magic Treehouse Series...thought I'd check it out with grandkids in mind.
A good read aloud book for 1st-2nd grade.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book and wasn't too excited about it, but my eight-year-old granddaughter really liked it, and she thought it was neat that she learned about Joseph F. Smith.

[K Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! I totally played in the same "tunnels" as a kid.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read with kids

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5-yr-old loved this book and it we learned a lot about the pioneers. We read it in 2 days.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with the girls and they loved it!