The Eye of Ra Series

==> Gold Recipient, Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence ==> Silver Medal in Children's Adventure, 2020 International Readers' Favorite Awards ==> Award-winning Finalist, Next Generation Book Awards ==> 1st Place in both Children's Adventure AND Grades 4th-6th, 2020 TopShelf Awards ==> Grand Prize Winner, Colorado Author Project ==> 1st Place, Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Fiction Award   Exploring a mysterious cave in the mountains behind their house, John and his sister Sarah are shocked to discover they've time traveled to ancient Egypt!  Now they must work together to find a way back home from an ancient civilization of golden desert sand and a towering new pyramid, without parents to save them. The adventures abound—cobras, scorpions, a tomb robber, and more! The two kids have to trust each other, make friends who can help, and survive the challenges thrown at them . . . or be stuck in ancient Egypt forever.  For readers graduating from the Magic Tree House series and ready for intense action, dive into this middle grade novel rich with meticulous historical detail.    WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: "An engaging, eventful, history-based fantasy with realistic protagonists and an enjoyable, twist-filled plot." —Kirkus Reviews ***** "Fun, action-packed read, with a healthy dose of historical facts. Kids will be hooked on this one!" —Adam Perry, author of The Magicians of Elephant County ***** "This book was awesome!" —10-year-old book blogger Emmie from Fantastic Books and Where to Find Them ***** "I LOVE this! A fun adventure story . . . exciting . . . hilarious . . . The plot pacing was great, especially for a middle grades novel. I work with 3rd-5th graders, and I think this book would do an excellent job of holding their attention. Such a great ending!" —Megan S. ***** "Skillfully written, clever, suspenseful, flowed effortlessly, had a hard time putting it down." —Jim C. ***** "This is exactly the type of adventure story that kids go for, the setting is fantastic. It is obvious that you are experienced in writing adventure tales." —Fay C. ***** "Fits right in with what good middle grade is all about. The pacing was fast, which is a great way of captivating the reader and I liked the ending a lot." —Bethany V. ***** "Interesting and exciting. You really captured the essence of a middle grade story. It had over the top action and suspense that really capture the imagination of someone this age. I thought this was an incredibly fun story and one I would've absolutely devoured as a kid." —Juliette T. ***** "This book would be a top choice for the students in my class. They'd eat up the adventure! Your tense scenes are so well-written. I didn't see the twist in the plot coming. What a great surprise!" —Elaina B. *****

==> Gold Recipient, Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence ==> Gold Medal in Children's 4th-6th, 2021 International Readers' Favorite Awards ==> 1st Place, Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Fiction Award Siblings John and Sarah barely made it home last time, but in their next time traveling adventure the challenge really heats up. Surrounded by clashing cultures on the ancient Roman frontier, they must fulfill their quest to unite the emperor with his enemy, an Alemanni barbarian, or risk being stuck in time forever.  An action-packed fantasy full of sword fights, chariot chases, fearsome wild animals, and high mountain survival. For graduates of the Magic Tree House looking for a thrilling middle grade page-turner, read Sol Invictus, book two of The Eye of Ra series!   *****   "Once again, Gartner deftly weaves real-life history into a compelling adventure, offering high-stakes, realistic danger and vivid scene-setting." -Kirkus Reviews   ***** "Gartner has a knack for action and creating compelling historical personalities . . . Middle [grade] readers who treasure ancient history with a side of adventure will welcome this fantasy story." -BookLife Reviews by Publishers Weekly   ***** "Must read. Middle grade readers with a love of adventure and history are sure to connect with John and Sarah in this dynamic story...Diligently researched, Sol Invictus recounts historical events in a way that is captivating and engaging while simultaneously educating readers of all ages." -Reedsy Discovery ***** "Fans of Ben Gartner's first book will gobble this up!" -Caroline Lawrence, author of 17-book series The Roman Mysteries ***** "I was so excited to read this second book in the Eye of Ra series and was not disappointed! With tons of action, humor, excellent character development, and historical details that will make you feel like you've been swept back in time too, this is sure to be a winner for middle grade readers." -Sam Subity, author of The Last Shadow Warrior ***** "Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner is a fantastic follow-up that delivers! Keeping true to the spirit of the first book and its lovable heroes, this sequel to Eye of Ra ramps up the action, character growth, and overall stakes. Sol Invictus delivers a fun, page-turning adventure with sword fights, wolf pups, narrow escapes, and even ancient cheesecake! A fun time-traveling sibling adventure story with heart and heart-pounding action." -Kerelyn Smith, author of Mulrox and the Malcognitos ***** "Ben Gartner does it again in this second book! Readers will be turning pages quickly to find out where John and Sarah's adventure takes them in ancient Rome. The story was full of action, mystery and great historical information! My middle grade readers are going to be waiting for a turn to read this!" -Stacy A., 5th grade teacher *****   "Gartner's narrative voice complements the book's brisk pacing and heightens its unending action…The book echoes the same adventure-driven narrative of Percy Jackson and the Olympians but with its own Roman twist. However, Gartner skillfully embellishes a narrow glimpse of history that is typically studied for its grander narrative." -BookLife Prize, 2021   *****

==> Gold Recipient, Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence ==> First Place, Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Awards ==> Bronze Medal, 2022 International Readers' Favorite Awards   The explosive reveal about who John and Sarah really are and why they're traveling through time, with their most gut-wrenching challenge yet. In the time of the Aztec, a scoundrel named Cortés arrives and the kids are forced to make an extremely difficult decision: If you could change history, should you? For more twists, more danger, and more fun, read the third book in The Eye of Ra series, People of the Sun!   "An SF–infused tale that proves both entertaining and educational." –Kirkus Reviews ***** "Middle-grade readers with a love of high-stakes fantasy will be pleased with this time-crossed historical adventure." –BookLife Reviews by Publishers Weekly ***** "The epic reveal we've been waiting for with the biggest stakes yet! You'll be breathlessly turning pages until the very end..." –Sam Subity, author of The Last Shadow Warrior ***** "Thought-provoking, compelling, and exquisitely designed, this is a satisfying conclusion to the Eye of Ra series and is a highly recommended addition to libraries for advanced middle grade readers." –Mary Lanni, book blogger, librarian, and reviewer for School Library Journal ***** "People of the Sun is an excellent book. This book is a great read for the young and old alike. I highly recommend this series." –Litercurious book blog ***** "Ben Gartner has done it again! People of the Sun is full of history, adventure, suspense and time travel! Kids will be lining up to read this!" –Stacy Alfano, 5th grade teacher ***** "People of the Sun is an amazing read that keeps you on the edge of your seat! I loved the first two books in the series, and this was my favorite." –Emmie Enchanted, kid blogger ***** "This is an excellently written, satisfying conclusion to the Eye of Ra series." –Reedsy Discovery *****