Superstition Mountain

It's summer and the three Barker brothers—Simon, Henry, and Jack—just moved from Illinois to Arizona. Their parents have warned them repeatedly not to explore Superstition Mountain, which is near their home. But when their cat Josie goes missing, they see no other choice. There's something unusually creepy about the mountain and after the boys find three human skulls, they grow determined to uncover the mystery. Have people really gone missing over the years, and could there be someone or some thing lurking in the woods? Together with their new neighbor Delilah, the Barker boys are dead-set on cracking the case even if it means putting themselves in harm's way. Here's the first book in an action-packed mystery series by a New York Times bestselling author. Missing on Superstition Mountain is a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Fiction title for 2011.

In pioneer lore, the Lost Dutchman's Mine remains an intriguing mystery of the Old West. What became Apache Junction in the Salt River Valley was already an established home for prehistoric Native Americans and the Apache tribe, when it was further settled and cultivated by Spanish and Mexican expeditions, American wagon trains, mountain men, and the U.S. military in the late 19th century. But Apache Junction became legendary when German immigrant Jacob Waltz discovered a secret gold mine. Thousands of prospectors traversed the "crooked top" Superstition Mountains in search of this treasure, enriching the area's history and leading to the development of a unique community that has endured and grown alongside the famous legend.

Even though Henry Barker and his two brothers learned firsthand that the urban legend about danger on nearby Superstition Mountain wasn't just a myth, this doesn't stop them from planning their return. Along with their friend Delilah, the Barker brothers soon find themselves entangled in more danger and mystery as they uncover a real treasure, but the discovery comes at a very big price—they barely survive an avalanche. The question remains—is someone after them, or is the mountain seeking revenge? Treasure on Superstition Mountain is the second book in Elise Broach's Superstition Mountain series.

Relates legend, lore, and fact concerning the Lost Dutchman gold mine of south-central Arizona.

Color illustration on front cover of a skull, rattlesnake, pick-axe, and flowers.

In the third and final book in this action-packed trilogy, the Barker brothers and their good friend Delilah secretly climb up to Superstition Mountain one last time. There are still mysteries to solve—is the creepy librarian really the ghost of Julia Thomas from a century before? What was their uncle Hank's role in discovering the gold mine? Can they still get into the gold mine after the avalanche that nearly crushed them? Does their cat, Josie, have mysterious powers? And, most of all, who is trying to kill them? Elise Broach delivers a page-turning finale to this top-drawer adventure trilogy. A Christy Ottaviano Book

Lush canyons with Sycamore and cottonwood trees, rugged mountains with towering ponderosa pines and alligator juniper tree, hidden creeks and waterfalls, majestic deserts and wildflowers, prehisatoric ruins, abandoned mines, prospector camps and ranches--all in a National Forest Wilderness less than a hour from Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to providing directions to these spectacular places, this guide brings alive the colorful history of the Superstitions.