Call of the Cruins: Part 1

By ELIZABETH PUTFORD, Illustrator ANNABEL CRAIGHEAD

Twelve-year-old Emeline Malone ran along the cliff edge. Strong sea wind spat squally rain in her face and tugged at her auburn curls.

"Wait for me, Emmie!"

She paid no heed to her youngster sister's cry. She had to get to the rocks before it was too late! Before the surging sea washed the injured seal away. Hurry. Hurry.
Down the steep track she dashed. Slithering around its narrow snake shape. Sliding on its smooth surface.

Below, wild waves whipped across the beach towards the low-lying rocks. Suddenly a gust of wind caught the corner of her pinafore, flapping it up into her face.

Blinded, Emeline stumbled and fell, then rolled like a lost coin towards the edge of the cliff.
"Emmie!" screamed Victoria.

Catching hold of a bush, Emeline came to a sudden stop. She let out a slow breath of relief and dragged her gaze away from the sheer drop into the ocean only a few feet away. Just in time! Three more seconds and she would have been whale meat.

Publisher: Scholastic, $13.95

Age group: 9-13 years