Titles by William Lentini
From The “Cousins” Series:
Book I Diann:
“The Courage to Fear” is the story of happy little girl who survives a life threatening childhood disease. The experience causes her to become more reserved and withdrawn. When she enters a new school, she has to fight predjudice, ingnorance and bullying from some of her fellow classmates. Her bravery leads her on a journey back to hope, trust, and happiness.
Book III Samantha:
“The Bracelet and the Bones!”: The opening of a “time capsule” unearths more than the history of her school, it uncovers clues to the disappearance of a former teacher decades earlier. Something about the event leads Samantha to discover the secrets of the capsule and solve a half century old homicide.
Book V Kayla:
“The Adventures of Kiwi Kayla” is a magical picture book about a little girl and her “Papa” who fall into a book about zoo animals as they drift off to sleep while reading. They are trapped in the zoo book until they are shown the way back home by a friendly giant panda named Pongo. Along the way he gives them three challenges that teach them valuable life lessons about kindness, caring, love and believing in yourself.
Book II Sean:
“The Boy, the Sword and the Treasure” is an action / adventure book about a young boy and his grand father who stumble onto clues that lead them to a sunken Spanish galleon. Their discovery puts them in great danger from enemies on the land and in the cold, dark, sea. The book features historically correct facts about Spanish Conquistadors and the lost ship, the “Victoria”.
Book IV Joey:
“The Island of Fear”: This story begins with the sinking of a luxury cruise-liner during a hurricane. Cast adrift in a life boat with seven others, Joey is forced to assume the responsibility for the survival of his mother and young sister. In a short span of time, the boy becomes a man and has to stand-up to dangers from the sea, and a fellow castaway.
Book VI Brooke:
“Brooke and a Puppy Named Banjo” is a picture book about a little girl with a big heart who finds an injured and abandoned puppy. With love and kindness, she nurses the puppy back to health. The puppy grows up to become an important part of her family.
Short Stories:
“The Long Skinny Chicken” tells the story of a young Chinese boy who was brought from his home in China to the mountains of Northern California to help build the Trans-Continental Rail Road. Once the tracks were laid and the work was completed, the Chinese work force was abandoned by their employers and left to fend for themselves in a country far from their homeland. Although this is a fictional piece, it is historically correct as it relates to the contribution that Chinese immigrants made, and continue to make, to this country’s development.
“The Black Stallion of Superstition Mountain” is a mini-series of short stories about a mythical and magical black stallion with amazing powers. Through unspoken words, he is able to communicate with those who enter the Superstition mountains looking for the “Lost Dutchman’s” gold. Those who venture into mountain’s deep, dark, canyons, feel the power and witness the magic of the Black Stallion. He protects the innocent from countless perils and is a formidable foe to those who pose a threat to the ecology of the sacred Indian land.
“B.W. The Penguin King” is a short story about a young male penguin who is slightly “different” form all the other penguins. It tells the tale of his search for a date to the Great Penguin Ball and how he is rejected time after time until he returns to his home in Antarctica with a human “Date”. The female penguins soon find out that there is something very “special” about B.W. and he finally finds true love. Like most of his stories, the author infuses messages of character, self-confidence and having a moral compass.
