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Jazzberry and Fidget
Jazzberry and Fidget
Jazzberry and Fidget
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Jazzberry and Fidget

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Eight-year-old Annie Rust has a vivid dream one night that a frivolous dragon and a fairy with a punk-rock hairdo visit her in her bedroom. When she discovers the next day that it was no dream, she's overjoyed. Her parents and friends are nice, but school is making her life miserable: she's about to flunk out of half her subjects.

At first she thinks her new friends will help her forget her troubles, but the opposite is true. As soon as they decide they can trust her, they tell her why they've broken the strict fairy laws and revealed themselves to her. Her uncle and his hard-hearted partners are planning to cut down the trees in a place the kids call the Haunted Woods and build fancy new houses. If that happens, the fairy warns her, dreadful consequences will follow, which might include the destruction of all of America, and maybe even the world.

Although sworn to secrecy, Annie knows that she can't solve this problem alone. She drags her best friend, and finally her well-meaning uncle, into the search for a solution. But it turns out that Annie's fairy and dragon are only children themselves, and when their parents discover what they've done, they take Annie and her uncle underground to show them first-hand why they must stop the development.

For all their good intentions, no one—not the fairies, the dragons, or her reformed uncle—can find a way out of the danger. It's up to Annie, a girl who can't even focus on her homework for five minutes in a row, to think of a way to stop the horror under the hill from erupting and destroying everything she knows.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherChris Mason
Release dateMar 3, 2012
ISBN9781465747549
Jazzberry and Fidget
Author

Chris Mason

Be sure to check out my new store with my collection of digital puzzles available on itch.io.https://tarjan95.itch.io/Be sure to check out my line of T-shirts and other swag based on the characters found in my books at:http://www.zazzle.com/digital_attic_95Here is What people are saying about Ten Terrific Monsters Spot the Difference: Activity Book.Ten Terrific Monsters Spot the Difference Activity Book has ten Spot the Difference activities for readers of any age to enjoy. The ten pictures provide over 200 differences for the reader to find. Chris Mason, the author, came up with such a wonderful idea wrapped around adorable monster pictures, which is the perfect theme for any season, but especially now since Halloween is just around the corner. The illustrator, Vladimir Cebu, did a wonderful job of providing fun, creative, and very colorful pictures for readers to try to find all the differences between the set of pictures provided. The monsters aren’t too scary, so the pictures are fun to look at while trying to find all the differences. An answer key is found in the back of the book for each picture, so you can compare your answers to the answer key provided.I loved how much fun I had trying to spot all the differences between the set of pictures Chris Mason and Vladimir Cebu provided for their readers. Ten Terrific Monsters Spot the Difference Activity Book is one that can offer hours of enjoyment for readers of any age. I am an adult reviewer and I had so much fun seeing just how well I could spot all the differences in the pictures. Some differences were easy to see immediately, while with others you might need a little more time to spot the differences because the illustrations were so detailed. Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone loving Spot the Difference activity books.5 stars Reader's FavoriteHere is what readers are saying about The Many Marvelous Mazes of P is for PhoenixLife is like a jigsaw puzzle; you have to see the whole picture, then put it together piece by piece!— Terry McMillanLife is full of many stressful obstacles. To help combat these unexpected events, a person must set aside time for themselves to relax and recharge to be able to continue to move forward. There is no better way to find rest and happiness than in the pages of The Many Marvelous Mazes of P is for Phoenix a Maze Book.A unique aspect of this book is that it features an alphabetic format. Each letter is connected to a word and is then associated with a maze. The puzzles are both fun and challenging. It will help your mind focus on an activity that doesn't cause any distress. A bonus includes the beautiful illustrations that you will find with each puzzle. I was amazed at how these beautiful backgrounds brought peace and calmness to my life.Chris Mason is a very talented author with a long list of intriguing books. Each one of his books contains a significant part of his loving heart. There is no other author like Mr. Mason's work; it's fresh, appealing, and will make you want to experience more of his writing talent.Suzie HousleyMidwest Book Review5 StarsHere is what readers are saying about Researcher in a Box.Reviewed By Philip Van Heusen for Readers’ FavoriteChris Mason has written and helped others write research papers for many years. In Researcher in a Box, he takes the time to explain what is expected and how to write the best essay possible. Chris focuses on elementary and secondary school papers. In this book, Chris reviews the basics of six different types of essays. Chris points out some important distinctions of each. After explaining the types of papers, Chris goes further and analyses the components of the paper. Putting the paper together in the proper order is very important. Many young students are tempted to cheat by copying straight from one of their resources. Chris reminds his readers to never, ever plagiarize. Speaking of research, Chris gives ideas on where to find research and, more importantly, how to analyze that research. I love his use of the website concerning the endangered tree octopus.Researcher in a Box is Chris Mason’s contribution to young students everywhere. He gives information to help students excel in papers they write for school. While Chris gives good directions to finding research material, I wish he had included Google Scholar. Nevertheless, I applaud Chris’ attempt. After writing papers for lower schools, I later wrote major essays for two undergraduate degrees and three master’s degrees. Chris’ advice is spot on. This book is elementary in its information, but most paper writers need things kept simple. He writes to meet the need. I have to wholeheartedly agree that there is a dearth of critical thinking in today’s society. When elementary and secondary school students learn how to develop academic papers, their experience will serve them well as they pursue college degrees5 stars Reader's FavoriteHere is what readers are saying about The 12 Days of Christmas Geek Edition.The book itself is very short, as you can imagine with it covering the twelve days of Christmas.The book is a very funny read and I love the author take on the original. In this version all of the original things the person true love gave them has been updated and changed for things that a geek would love to be given.Overall it was a nice little read, which I can imagine would be good for people to be given as Secret Santa for ChristmasGoodreads4 starsHere is what critics are saying about Maxine's Happy Trails:A Truck Story.Reader's FavoriteMaxine’s Happy Trails: A Truck Story by Chris Mason is an exciting book with a trucker slant to it that takes readers on an exciting journey along with the truck. The wheels on the truck go round and round all across the country, and the wipers go swish, swish. The reefers on the truck go hum, hum, hum, and the city horn goes beep, beep, beep all across the country. The air brakes go hiss, hiss, hiss and the doors on the trailer open and shut. The big horn on the truck goes honk, honk, honk, and the driver on the truck goes whistle, whistle all across the country.The story is delightful and will bring a smile to the faces of young readers as they get to know the truck closely. The illustrations are bright and colorful and they make the author’s words come alive. There is a lyrical quality in the words and that will make it enjoyable for young readers. It is a good book for interactive sessions in classrooms as it has action and adventure and can also be read out to children during bedtime. Children who love trucks and vehicles will find this book a fun read. It is a simple and lighthearted story and I like the way the author introduces the truck and its parts to readers, and gives it a personality of its own. This happy trail along with the truck all over the country is a fun joyride that will be memorable to readers.5 Star ReviewHere is what critics are saying about Ten Little Monsters Standing in a LineTen Little Monsters Standing in a Line by Chris Mason was a cute book. The book is similar to the song “Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.” Instead of monkeys, there are monsters waiting in line at the unemployment office. I chose to read Ten Little Monsters Standing in a Line with my 5-year-old daughter because the monkey song is one of her favorites. She sort of liked the story. She was confused as to why the monsters were in a line for an unemployment office. I had to explain to her what an unemployment office was and what it does. However, she did like the illustrations in the book. She thought the monsters were cute looking.I thought the book was different and also sort of liked it. I liked the idea of the cute monsters and that it would help kids to learn how to count. Mason covered all of the classic monsters in this book like Godzilla and the Blob. I would have preferred for Mason to make them stand in a line that was geared more for kids, such as a cafeteria line or even a line for detention. The wording did not flow as smoothly as I would have liked, but it was still funny as to why each monster left the line. Overall, it is a nice book. Any book that helps kids learn to count in a new way is good in my eyes. If you like the monster classics, then this book might be for you.Reader's Favorite 4 star review.Here is what critics are saying about P is For Phoenix: An ABC Book of Legendary and Mythological Creatures.P is for Phoenix: An ABC Book of Legendary and Mythological Creatures by Chris Mason is an educational and informative book for children that not only teaches them the alphabet, but also gives them information about legendary and mythological creatures. The book makes teaching and learning fun, but also enhances young readers' knowledge and introduces them to creatures that existed in mythology and the role they played in cultures over the centuries. Learning the alphabet and about new creatures couldn’t be more interesting when children get to see the pictures of those creatures along with the descriptions. Readers can also check if their favorite legendary or mythological creature has been listed by the author.The illustrations are bright and colorful and they make the concept and the meaning of the book clear to young readers. It’s a good bedtime story book and parents and grandparents can read it out to their kids and grandkids. The book can also be used for read aloud sessions in classrooms and school libraries. Mythological creatures have always been a part of world cultures and the author brings them to the fore with this book. Books like this are good for children to teach them new things and also to enhance their knowledge and vocabulary. The theme and concept are original and refreshing, and the author’s idea of teaching the alphabet this way is fun and educational.Reader's Favorite 5 star reviewHere is what the critics are saying about Ten Terrific Monsters: A Hidden Item Book.Willie the wolf finds himself stuck in the unemployment line with nine other monsters. He used to be a successful movie star but due to circumstances out of his control he finds himself now without a job. As it gets dark Willie and his friends leave and each one goes their own separate ways.As the group parts goes off to their own we are able to learn more about Willie and his friends in their own home environment. Each character features a special hidden item puzzle adventure. The beautifully created illustrations allow us to discover more about this delightful cast of characters.Ten Terrific Monsters: A Hidden Item Book by Chris Mason takes children into the world of Willie the Wolf. He welcomes readers into his space where there are nine other monsters, all waiting in a line at the unemployment office. Willie takes readers to different places and asks for their help in finding the hidden items with the help of answer keys. Whether they are with Boris the Blob when he is having dinner, or at Gabbie the Ghost's party, or the Amazon, or Willie’s home, readers will have a great time looking for the hidden items in these places.The book is original and unique and children will love searching for the items mentioned in the answer keys for each place. The illustrations are bright and colorful and make the scenes lively and vivid. It’s an excellent book for children to enhance their observation skills, and can be used for interactive sessions in classrooms and school libraries. The concept is excellent and the book not only teaches readers new words and new things, but also guides them on how to look out for missing items with the help of the clues given. Interactive books and books with a concept help young readers to develop and enhance their observation and thinking skills. It’s also fun searching for the items misplaced in the book and doing it together in a classroom or with friends.5 star review Reader's FavoriteWillie the wolf finds himself stuck in the unemployment line with nine other monsters. He used to be a successful movie star but due to circumstances out of his control he finds himself now without a job. As it gets dark Willie and his friends leave and each one goes their own separate ways.As the group parts goes off to their own we are able to learn more about Willie and his friends in their own home environment. Each character features a special hidden item puzzle adventure. The beautifully created illustrations allow us to discover more about this delightful cast of characters.TEN TERRIFIC MONSTERS: A HIDDEN ITEM BOOK is an exceptional book filled with a host of delightful characters. Each one offers their own special sparkle to make this book appeal to both children and adults. In this one book there is over one hundred items to search for in ten different scenes. This feature will allow children to practice their counting and eye coordination skills.Chris Mason has proven to me that he is a very talented author who is able to provide fresh and appealing ideas that can be very beneficial to the development of a child’s learning environment. Through the masterful illustrations created by Vladimir Cebu his words take on new meaning as these beautiful illustrations paint memorable scenes that is assured to delight both the child and adult. I highly recommend this book for it can be used as a tool to enhance any child’s overall learning development.Midwest Book ReviewHere's what people are saying about the In the box series of books.Your first and best investment should be one of Chris’ books before you spend countless dollars and hours on your areas of interest.Mike Rounds author of For the Clueless series of books.Tutor in a BoxReview by: proudparent on April 06, 2014 Smashwords reviewHow many times have you wanted to help your children with their homework, only to be stopped by not exactly understanding their homework, and feeling like an idiot. What do we all do....we go to the internet to find the right website to help them. Only problem is, you spend more than an hour looking at websites. NO MORE...Tutor in a box is perfect whether your child is in grade school, middle school, or high school. Not only does it cover all the subjects, it also does it for what grades your kids are in. This book has given you the perfect websites to go to for about the price of a gallon of gas! Leave it to a parent to develop this great idea. I guarantee you will become closer to your children when you work with them on their homework. This book might actually get your kids to start talking to you more instead of playing video games!!!!!!5 star reviewpurchased this book to gift for my nephew for this school year. This book is packed with so much information to help him and his mom with his homework. I am excited to see his results. Thank you for a great resource.Barnes and Noble5 star reviewRecord Store in a Boxby #10 The TruthReally helpful book. Saves a bunch of $$ Itunes review.5 star reviewReview by: proudparent on Aug. 29, 2014 Smashwords review.Impressive and free! You should have entitled it "how to get free music on the internet...for DUMMIES No, I like your title better, but you make it very easy with all the step by step instructions. Too many of us are computer illiterate, and don't know what is available out there that's free. Thank you Chris for your time in making this tutorial for those of us who didn't know.R. Phillips5 star reviewAnonymousJuly 27, 20143 starsBarnesandNoble.comUseful info. for radio and music lovers.GORDON | SEPTEMBER 28, 20144 starsKobo reviewIf you like music this book gives you great insight to different types . The internet has a lot to offer on the music sites and this book tells you where to get it great readD | SEPTEMBER 29, 20145 starsKobo reviewBook Store in a Box3 starsKobo review

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    Jazzberry and Fidget - Chris Mason

    Jazzberry and Fidget

    By Chris Mason

    Copyright 2012 by Christopher A. Mason

    Cover art by Katherine Blackmore, Copyright 2000

    Used with permission

    Smashwords Edition, License Notes

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead, businesses, incidents, or locales is purely coincidental.

    For Nancy

    Chapter 1: The Dream

    Annie Rust dreamed that she woke up and found a fairy and a dragon sitting at the foot of her bed. It was still nighttime. Moonlight spilled brightly through the open window onto the model horse collection on her dresser, and the horsey shadows seemed to prance as the curtains shifted in the warm breeze.

    For a dream, it was very clear. The fairy was about four inches tall, hovering over Annie’s feet with slow beats of her butterfly wings. She was dressed in a short gauzy dress, and her dark hair was spiky like an angry rock singer’s. This convinced Annie that she was dreaming: everyone knew that real fairies had beautiful long hair that blew loose in the wind. It would take a hurricane to ruffle the dream fairy’s knotted tresses.

    The dragon was the same size as Aunt Helen’s toy poodle, but much less fuzzy. He had bumpy, scaly skin, big eyes over a pointed snout, and icky-looking wings folded back against his shoulders. He sat on the bedspread, up on his hind legs like a dog begging for baloney, scratching one pointy ear with the tip of a sharp finger-claw.

    Nothing happened. Annie sat up and fluffed the pillow behind her back.

    This is a strange sort of dream, she said. Aren’t you going to do something?

    The dragon leaped straight up into the air, turned a somersault just below the ceiling, and landed on his nose, bouncing off the blankets onto the floor, then sprang back up onto the bed and spread his arms wide. Annie laughed and clapped her hands. The dragon opened his mouth wide to show needle-sharp teeth, bowed, and sat down again as if nothing had happened.

    That was great, she said. Can you breathe fire?

    He lifted a leathery hand and rasped his claws together. A small flame darted up from one of his claw-tips, burning blue and yellow and flickering in the puffs of wind. The dragon winked at her and blew on the flame. She expected a gout of fire, but instead the little blaze winked out.

    Sorry, the dragon said in a surprisingly soft voice, I can breathe or I can be on fire, but not both.

    Who are you? Annie said.

    Fidget, the dragon said.

    Why do they call you Fidget?

    I don’t know, he said as he gently scratched his belly with one foot.

    And who are you? Annie asked the fairy.

    My name is Jazzberry, she said, in a voice that was high and tinkly, like a little girl’s laugh. She twirled in a mid-air pirouette, spinning faster and faster until her skirt stuck straight out, stopping so abruptly that Annie’s eyes hurt. She bowed.

    Annie bowed back. Nice to meet you. I’m Annie.

    We know, Fidget said.

    How do you know?

    We know a lot, Jazzberry said. She settled onto Annie’s knee and sat down, crossing her legs. Her wings shivered softly.

    Where do you come from?

    That’s a mystery, isn’t it? the fairy said.

    Yes, Fidget said. Where does anyone come from?

    Well, I’m from Leftover.

    Where’s that?

    Right here, silly. Leftover, Illinois.

    You call this place Leftover? the fairy said.

    You said you knew a lot, Annie said, but you don’t even know the name of our town?

    We don’t spend much time in towns, Fidget explained, rubbing his forehead with the thin tip of his tail.

    Well, where do you live?

    We live in the Haunted Woods, the dragon said.

    The woods are why we’re here, Jazzberry said. We need your help. Will you come visit us?

    In the Haunted Woods? When?

    Tomorrow after school.

    Annie thought this was the strangest dream she’d ever had. But she didn’t have anything planned after school tomorrow, and she had never been afraid of the Haunted Woods. Some kids said that monsters lived there, or ghosts, but Annie didn’t believe in those things. She said she would come.

    Fidget opened his mouth wide again, showing her his teeth and his long, black tongue. That must be how he smiles, Annie thought.

    Annie, Jazzberry said, you’re dreaming, aren’t you?

    Of course.

    Will you promise to keep this dream a secret? Don’t tell anyone about us.

    Why not?

    It’s dream magic, Jazzberry said.

    I love magic, Fidget said, and he pulled a mouse out of his ear.

    How did you do that? Annie said.

    Fidget! the fairy scolded. I’m trying to talk to Annie.

    Sorry, the dragon said. He put the mouse back in his ear.

    How does he do that?

    It’s not magic, that’s just his pet mouse. He keeps it in his ear.

    I don’t have pockets, Fidget explained. It was true: he wasn’t wearing any clothes at all.

    Annie, will you promise? Jazzberry said. Promise not to tell anyone about this dream, and come to the Haunted Woods tomorrow after school.

    Annie liked them both, and she liked this dream a lot, so she promised.

    Jazzberry fluttered off Annie’s knee and hovered in the air above the bed. Time to go, Fidget, she said.

    The dragon jumped into the air and unfolded his wings. They looked like bat’s wings, and they were wider than he was long. He beat them twice, folded them again, and dove out the window.

    See you tomorrow, Jazzberry said. She floated out after Fidget.

    Annie smiled. She lay down again and dreamed that she went back to sleep.

    * * *

    When she went downstairs for breakfast the next morning, her parents were sitting in the kitchen, drinking coffee and sharing the newspaper.

    Good morning, sleepyhead, her father said. He ruffled her hair as she walked by him to get her cereal. She stopped for a moment to straighten her scrunchy.

    Raymond, do you always have to muss her hair? her mother said.

    Children need traditions and rituals, her father said happily. I’ve been mussing her hair every morning since she could walk. Right, Annie?

    Right, Dad, Annie said automatically.

    She poured a bowl of cornflakes and sliced up a banana on top with a table knife. The milk was already on the table. She reached for the sugar shaker.

    Not too much, her mother warned her.

    Not too little, either, Annie said.

    Her mother frowned at her, but not seriously, and poured her a glass of juice.

    I had the— Oops. Annie had almost told them about her dream, but just in time she remembered her promise to Jazzberry.

    You had what, dear? her mother said.

    Why shouldn’t she tell them? It was just a dream. Did a dream promise even count?

    Maybe it did. Maybe it counted even more than a daytime promise.

    I had a hard time with my homework last night, Annie said instead.

    Geography again? her father said.

    Annie nodded with her mouth full of corn flakes. She liked the way they crunched before they got soggy.

    Maybe we need to get her a better globe, her mother said.

    No, we just need to travel more, her father said.

    We don’t travel at all.

    That’s my point.

    I wish we could. But we can never seem to coordinate our vacations with Annie’s school term.

    Her parents both worked in St. Louis, about twenty miles away. Her mother was a software engineer and her father was a civil engineer. Annie found it easier to understand her mother’s job; her father always talked about weight loads and stress fractures, while her mother talked about bugs. She understood bugs pretty well, especially dragonflies, which were her favorite.

    They waited with her on the porch for the school

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