We have to get out! said Violet. Henry stared at the small window. Theres a bench on the other side of that window. But only Benny will fit. Its the only way out, said Benny. Ill go. Henry linked his fingers together. Step in my hands. Ill boost you...
The others crowded around Jessie. It is the star ruby! Benny breathed. How did you know it was in the dirt pile? Your joke about rocks sleeping in a bed of rocks gave me the idea to look here, Jessie said to him. And when I saw that rain river in the...
The chalkboard outside the dining room announced possible storms later that day. Violet read the breakfast menu printed below the weather forecast. Contest SpecialNative-Stone Buckets and Star Ruby Muffins. Were having dirt for breakfast? Benny said....
Violet rushed over. Oh, no! Are you sure? Jessie turned her backpack upside down. A comb, sunscreen, and a pack of mints tumbled out. I put the container in this pocket, she said. That was the only thing I kept in it. Its empty! Someone stole the rub...
Lets go look at the place where we saw that person last night, Benny said the next morning. Before breakfast? Violet asked, teasing her brother. I thought youd be starving, like always. A new mystery is more important, Benny declared. Itll only take...
The next morning, the kids met outside Violet and Jessies cabin to discuss the mystery. My backpack is the same as Jessies, Violet said. Suppose the person took Jessies accidentally? Henry nodded. That makes sense. The person could have been after yo...
What did I find? Violet asked anxiously. The man at the grading counter held up her stone between his thumb and forefinger. A very nice Mama Bear ruby, he proclaimed. Id say its easily twenty carats. Wow! exclaimed Benny. The gem inspector put the st...
Benny, there are no flying saucers, Jessie said. What else can it be? he insisted. The children watched for a few more minutes. But the reddish round light did not reappear. Wed better get back, Henry said. Its pretty late. They walked to the cabins....
How come youre going to win? Benny asked the man, whod said his name was Donald Hodge. The contest doesnt end till Saturday Because I found a Papa Bear ruby Donald said smugly Itll be a challenge for anyone to find a bigger stone. He pulled a black v...
I wish we didnt have to go back to Greenfield, said six-year-old Benny Alden. Violet turned from the front seat of the car. Dont you miss our house? she asked her little brother. And our boxcar? put in Henry, sitting next to Benny. Jessie, who was tw...