By SALLY ODGERS, Illustrator RICHARD HOLT
Dane's local Adventurers Club was only three months old, an d so far he had been on two adventures. Once, they had climbed hundreds of steps to the top of a lighthouse and another time they had gone sailing. The Cave Camp would be
different and much more challenging, because the Adventurers were going to a special group of caves that had only just been discovered.
That night, Dane looked at himself in the mirror. He saw a small, bony face with ears that stuck out too far, scared eyes, and a bottom lip that had a tendency to quiver when he was nervous.
He definitely didn't look the way a real adventurer was supposed to look. They were supposed to be tall and strong and fearless. They were supposed to look tough, like explorers, or like his cousins Brad and Miranda, who were practically a pair of Vikings. Brad had bright red hair and he was a lot taller than Dane. Miranda was incredibly clever and carried herself like a warrior princess. Doing things with Brad and Miranda made Dane feel even smaller and skinnier than he really was.
Dane got into bed, but his head was so filled with the horrors of cave exploration that he couldn't fall asleep. Finally, he gave up and went out to the living room. Dad had gone to work his shift at the factory, but Mum was sitting at the computer. She glanced up at Dane.
Shortland Publications, $10.10
Age group: 11-12 years +
