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In Scaredy, Book 1 of the Adventures in Lusair, eight-year old Rudy must learn to conquer his fears and find his power. The life of his best friend and the fate of this strange new world depends on it.
Rudy is afraid of everything, and to top it off, two bullies like to chase him home from school! Every day those bullies try to make Rudy do things he’s scared to do. Rudy’s best friend Billy is usually there to defend him, but some days Billy is at Taekwondo class, and when that happens, Rudy finds himself panicked with fear.
One day Billy convinces Rudy to go fishing with him at a pond deep in the forest. What was meant to be a fun time together becomes the scariest experience of their lives. Rudy, trembling with fear and worry at every turn, mysteriously finds himself and his best friend lost in a strange world full of danger.
“This delightful book is full of inspiration to help youth face their fears–both real and imagined."
Richard Paul Evans, New York Times Bestselling Author
What Other's Are Saying
Nipron
“Being bullied is an experience many small boys experience at some point in their young lives. This tale invites you to feel the pain and struggles of Rudy, a 10-year-old boy, who must come ‘to face the dragon’ in this epic tale of growing up. Relatable characters pull you into the action; the reader sees
and feels the struggles. The magic and fast action keep you turning the pages, eager for what comes next. Scaredy is a must read for young readers who need a boost in self- confidence to face the things that scares them most. You will love the rollercoaster ride of defeat to triumph on this hero’s journey to face his biggest fears.”
-- Christine Jalynski, MLIS Librarian
Furlet
“Rudy a hero? What a ridiculous thought! Rudy is afraid of everything and almost everyone. His worries about what might happen are preventing him from exploring and enjoying life. When he is entrusted with a powerful key and given a seemingly impossible and dangerous task, you will witness a miraculous transformation. Rudy is such a relatable character; we all know fear, but like us, he must learn how to face them. This is a book written for all of us. It has every element needed to make it a great
read: A dwarf, knights, flying horses, magical beasts, as well as the forces of good and evil! Come along for the quest of a lifetime. Journey with Rudy and his unlikely band of heroes as they fight to rid the world of evil.”
-- Denny Machette Pizarro, Speech Language Pathologist
Dinky
on an unexpected adventure. I asked my ten-year-old grandson to read it to me. He was laughing out loud, literally, but not as loud as my husband. We all loved it! If you know a kid, this book makes a great gift.
I highly recommend Scaredy, a YA Fantasy, to anyone with a child who has been afraid of the dark, heights, or bullies at school. The main character is an anxious boy who is forced to deals with his fears when he goes
-- Shannon Symonds, Author of By the Sea YA Cozy Mystery Series and others
Excerpt, Scaredy, Chapter 1
Rudy
Billy
“Eat dirt and die, stupid, weirdo, freak!”
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Crushed in between the two class bullies, Rudy gasped, “Back up, I can’t breathe.” Sweat, running like a water faucet, flooded his green eyes and rolled off his freckled nose. Rudy grabbed the railing tight and wrapped his arms around it like a popsicle on a stick. “You’re not going to push me off.”
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The weasel-eyed kid, Otis, grabbed Rudy’s arm. “You’re nothing but a chicken.”
“Yeah,” said Tank, who was built like a gorilla and twice the size of kids in his class. “We’re not going to toss you over. All you have to do is walk over a teeny-weeny bridge.” Before Rudy knew it, Tank had his other arm in a stranglehold.
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Rudy shouted, “I’m not afraid! We’re on a railroad trestle, not a bridge, and we are 50 feet above the river.”
Jeers and laughter rang in his ears as he looked at the worn rusty rails blackened with age. Below him the creek moved quietly along in a slow rhythmic pace, but Rudy knew that it was just waiting to suck him under.
Why can’t they understand? It’d be just my luck to get in the middle and a train would run me over and I’d have to jump in the water and drown. I’m not afraid. I have more sense than these bozos.
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The weasel-eyed kid put his mouth to Rudy’s ear and bellowed, “Chicken crap—fraidy flap! It’s not fifty feet above that little creek. We could jump down and not even break a leg.”
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Rudy knew it was ridiculous to be afraid, but he could feel himself shrink smaller and smaller, as his insides quivered like Jell-O. Where is Billy when I need him?
Unexpectedly, the two lessened their grip on Rudy. Billy was coming toward them like a bull rushing a red cape. Pushing up the sleeves of his sweatshirt which was sweat-soaked from practicing Tae Kwon Do, he easily pushed the boys away from Rudy. He knew how to handle
the troublemakers in their class. More than once, Billy had come to Rudy’s rescue. “Back off,” Billy snarled. “Come on, Rudy. Let’s go.”
Rudy’s legs wobbled toward Billy as the bullies parted a way for him to leave. “Whew, just in time! I won’t have to die today,” he whispered
Billy’s brown skin rippled as he flexed his muscles when he motioned for the two to back off. His arms were as thick as his wide neck, and he could throw the two of them around like rag dolls. Not as tall or big as Tank, Billy had a reputation of being able to hold his own in a fight. He never went out of his way to start one, but if it came his way, he gave as good as he got. Everyone knew that he broke a 7th graders’ nose when the guy tried to use Billy as a punching bag. That made him a hero in the eyes of his 5th grade class. They walked right through the boys and headed down the dusty road as hoots and hollering followed them.
Rudy winced, feeling the insults hurled toward him. He kicked the dirt and sent a spray of sand in the air. “Why don’t they understand that trestle is dangerous?”
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“They’re not going to leave you alone until you walk that bridge,” Billy answered. “You know it’s not dangerous. If it can hold a train, it can hold you.”
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“Yeah, well. What if my foot got stuck on the rail and I couldn’t get it unstuck?” Rudy yelled.
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“You know that wouldn’t happen.”
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He knew his friend was right, but the words stuck in his throat. He kept on walking. The dusty path led to a side road that took them into town where a road sign read: Welcome to Calumet, Michigan.
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The cool wind felt good on Rudy’s sweaty face. “Why do I have to prove myself now that I’m 10 years old?”
