Notorious Nora: The Mystery of the Lost Treasure

By Kelly Jones

Notorious Nora
The Mystery of the Lost Treasure Map

Nora loves a good mystery—and is ready to solve her newest!

Nora spends most of her sixth-grade life studying, hanging out with her two best friends Diva and Pep, and cheerleading. And of course, she is always on the lookout for her next great mystery.
Will Nora find out who is sending her mother threatening letters?
Will Nora be able to find the missing treasure map?
Will Mr. Meeds appear again to aid Nora in her quest to see that the new library opens?

Come with Nora as she works to solve her second great mystery. Hang out with Diva, Pep, and the ghostly Mr. Meeds as they work with her to help find out who does not want the new library to open and why? Can they stop the threat before it is too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664163331

Kelly Jones

Kelly L. Jones, PhD, is the Director of Learning & Development at EquipmentShare. Kelly has 20 years of professional experience in talent development and instructional design, and in building collaborative teams, holistic curriculum models, and leadership programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication & Information Technology from Middle Georgia State University, a master’s degree in Educational Technology from Georgia College, a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from Mercer University. She lives in Columbia, Missouri.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Nora, let’s go! Kate shouted up the stairs. You’re going to be late if you don’t hurry up.

Okay, Mom. I’m good to go. Give me one more minute. Nora grudgingly closed the cover on her new mystery book she was reading. As she reached for her pom-poms and gave a quick glance in the mirror, she couldn’t help but wish for another exciting mystery of her own.

One will come my way … I hope.

She needed to focus on the matter at hand and that was the big makeup game this Friday against the Riverside Saints. She also needed to make sure she used her inhaler this morning before cheerleading practice. Her muscles felt achy from practicing twice a day, but if she wanted to keep her coveted spot on the squad, she knew she had to refrain from whining or wheezing.

When Nora finally made her way into the kitchen, she noticed her mom shuffling though a stack of memos, desperately trying to find something specific.

What’s the matter? Do you have a big meeting or something? You look frazzled.

Kate ran her fingers through her hair. Uh, I need to be at a principal’s meeting first thing this morning, but I also have a board meeting afterwards on the new library opening, and I can’t seem to find the letter that I received with some concerns from an ‘anonymous’ citizen.

Nora immediately thought back to her own experience with the library and felt a little flush. What do you mean concerns?

Kate never noticed Nora’s expression. I didn’t even get the chance to read it. She flipped through her stack one last time.

It was right here. She threw her hands in the air. It’s gone. Perhaps a ghost came in and took it.

She looked directly at Nora. Is that possible?

Nora tried to erase any expression from her face. She thought of her friend Mr. Meeds. She sure missed him. She shrugged her shoulders and answered, I … I guess. Anything’s possible, right?

Kate reached over and hugged her daughter. Oh, I wish I was as open-minded as you, Nora. You are going to have such an exciting life with your attitude.

Nora managed to crack a smile and thought to herself, If she only knew the half of it.

She heard the bus coming down the street and knew that her two best friends Diva and Pep would be waiting for her in seat 19. She grabbed a breakfast bar along with her inhaler and headed for the door.

I’ll see ya, Mom. Good luck finding your missing letter. Don’t fret, it’ll turn up somewhere.

Before Nora could close the door, her mom yelled back, Oh, I need to talk to you about something later. Actually, it’s a favor. I’ll talk to you more about it when you get home.

Nora wanted to ask her mom more about the upcoming favor request, but she could hear the bus approaching quickly.

Okay! she yelled and ran to meet her bus.

Old Yeller, as Nora affectionately referred to her bus, came to a screeching halt directly in front of her driveway. The double doors opened, and Nora could see Diva and Pep waiting for her to join them.

Nora smiled. Hey. What’s up? Any news?

Her friends looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Not really.

Oh! Diva spoke. I heard the new library is looking for volunteers.

For what? Nora asked.

I guess to help get it ready for the grand opening. You know, help put books on shelves and organize—stuff like that.

Pep joined in. Not to change the subject, but I hear Zander is going to play in the makeup game Friday.

Nora perked up. Oh, that’s awesome. With Zander on board, finally our basketball team has a shot at winning the championship trophy back.

Pep and Diva announced in unison, Yeah, thanks to you.

Nora quickly thought back to how she accidentally stumbled on the trophy in the old library when investigating its mysterious disappearance. Her throat started to feel tight when she recalled how she and her friends were trapped in the library as flames wrapped around the deserted building. Her breathing became difficult.

Nora showed immediate signs of distress. She began to fumble through her backpack to locate her inhaler.

Pep and Diva didn’t waste any time. They knew exactly where she kept it and quickly grabbed it from the hidden pocket inside her backpack.

Diva patted Nora’s back as she took two quick breaths from the inhaler.

Calm down, Nora. It’s over. We’re all safe, Pep whispered.

Nora needed a minute. Finally, she spoke. I know. It’s just sometimes it’s like it was just a dream, that maybe it never happened.

She thought for another moment.

Do you think we’ll ever see him again?

Pep and Diva stared back at her.

See who?

Duh. Mr. Meeds, that’s who. Nora thought of her friend-slash-ghost who helped her solve her very first mystery. She was really missing him these days.

Pep shook his head. I believe that you were the only one that could see him, considering he is … dead.

Before Nora could reminisce any further, the bus arrived at their destination.

Diva looked a little concerned. You want to swing by the school nurse before practice? I’ll go with you if you want.

Nora really was feeling much better. She smiled. I’m good. I’m just a little nervous with the makeup game coming up Friday, not to mention the big-buddy event I signed up for. What was I thinking?

Diva shook her head. Me too. I got signed up for the big-buddy event. Who talked you into this worthy cause?

Pep chimed in. Me three. Two words for you.

The trio sang in unison: Ms. Jax.

Nora slung her backpack over her shoulder. You won’t believe who Ms. Jax assigned to me. She sighed. Alex Dirby.

Chapter 2

Diva gasped. Oh no! You didn’t just say Alex Dirby!

Pep could barely bring his mouth to form words. What is it with you and your connection to dead people?

Nora looked at Pep as if he were speaking another language.

Huh? He’s not dead. He’s in second grade, but he barely says two words to anyone. It’s like he’s on his own planet or something.

No! Not him! Pep answered. "His grandfather, Alexis Dirby. He was supposed to leave a huge inheritance to the library, but his will was never found, and