A Burning of Prayers

By Paul Sullivan

$12.00
Order Code: 3781
Class sets 10 or more paperback books: $10.00 each
Class set order code: 3781S

For the team of archaeologists, the Mayan temple-pyramid promises a rich lode of treasures. Unfortunately, Guatemala is embroiled in civil war. If the archaeologists abandon the site, looters will take everything, but if they stay, the army or the rebels might take their lives. It is up to veteran archaeologist Walker Davis to decide to stay or go—to judge when the need to know what lies buried is worth the risk.

Description

This exciting and captivating adventure story is set around an unexplored and intact Mayan temple-pyramid in Guatemala. For the team of archaeologists, led by the young and determined Nicki, it is a rich lode of treasures. In fact, it is the only known Mayan site that has not been looted, making it a rare and valuable find. But the country is embroiled in civil war, and both the army and the rebels pose dangerous threats to the safety of the archaeology team.

Between the thieves and spies for both sides, it is impossible to know if anyone can be trusted. If the archaeologists abandon the site, they know that looters certainly will take everything. If they stay in the face of civil war, the army or the rebels might well take their lives. It is up to veteran archaeologist Walker Davis to decide whether to stay or go—to judge when the need to know what lies buried there is worth the risk.

An intriguing subplot allows readers to know the full story of the tomb and its contents, even if the archaeologists may never have that opportunity. The entire novel tells a riveting tale of discovery and adventure but also showcases the grueling realism of the sometimes heart-wrenching choices that must be made while unearthing history in a region of political unrest.

Author Paul Sullivan says that his novel “shows how foolish war is. The small valley in Guatemala where the story is set suffered the same kind of conflict a thousand years ago as it did in the 1980s.”

Details

Category
Paul Sullivan Novels
Ages
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Grades
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects
Novels
Pages
241
ISBN
978-0-88092-378-1
Order Code
3781