Wolfmaster: Part 3

By SALLY ODGERS, Illustrator RICHARD HOLT

It would be so easy to agree. Dane said it in his mind a couple of times. Yes! Cancel the booking. I can't deal with this whole caving thing. But, if he said that, he would feel even smaller than he usually felt. He would feel like a peanut. Like an ant. Like an insignificant pinhead.

He took a deep breath. "I want to go," he said. "But ... I might not do all the activities. Would that be OK? Can I just do the ones I know I can handle?"

Dad stuck out his hand. "That's a deal! Shake on it, Dane!"

Dane shook hands with Dad. "What was that for?" he asked.

"That was for making a good decision," said Dad. "Go to camp, do what you enjoy, and say no to the rest. That's the right way to do it."

Dane sighed. Well, at least Dad didn't think he was being a wimp. Now he just needed to stop feeling like a wimp.

The Adventurers Club had started when a group of teachers decided that it was good for children to have a few adventures. The kids who joined the Adventurers went sailing and camping. They climbed cliffs and flew in hot-air balloons. Grown-up "leaders" went along with them to make sure things were safe and exciting at the same time.

Shortland Publications, $10.10
Age group: 11-12 years +