Patrick and Beth learn that Mr. Whittaker’s fancy ring can be seen inside the Imagination Station but not outside of the machine. A mysterious letter leads the cousins to fifth-century Rome in search of a special cup that belongs to a monk. If found, the cup could keep the mysterious Albert out of prison.
At the Roman Colosseum, Emperor Honorius is hosting a gladiator battle in celebration of a war victory. Beth attends the event as the emperor’s slave; Patrick attends as a monk’s apprentice but is taken prisoner and sent to fight in the arena. During their adventure, the cousins meet Telemachus (a true historical figure), a monk who believes that fighting is wrong. Telemachus is willing to risk everything—even his life—to stop the killing. When the cousins return with the cup, they find that a third letter has been sent with more information about Albert’s fate.

The door to The Imagination Station whooshed shut, enclosing us in the machine. I'm Matt Booker. Jack Davis is a good friend - the best, especially since he's willing to go back with me. Let me explain. We knew we weren't supposed to be nosing around…but earlier, Jack and I were in Whit's basement workshop, checking out The Imagination Station, when the craziest thing happened. All of a sudden, we were back in 1858! Cool? Not exactly. We're talking pre-Civil War here - before "emancipation," when slaves were given their freedom. If only I had paid more attention in history class! Anyway, to make a long story short, I had been captured by slave traders, and it was up to Jack to find me. In fact, I had just promised Eveline, a runaway slave, that I would help her find her father, Clarence, when - bam! - Jack and I were instantly back in Whit's basement. Well, I couldn't break my word to Eveline, so Jack agreed to return with me to help her and Clarence make their way to freedom along the Underground Railroad.

While visiting Mr. Whittaker at Whit's Soda Shoppe, Beth and Patrick find a mysterious letter in the Imagination Station requesting a Viking sunstone. The letter is old and says that someone named Albert will be imprisoned if the sunstone isn't found. Mr. Whittaker sends cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland circa 1000. On their quest for the sunstone, the cousins meet Vikings Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson—and find the sunstone as they join Leif on his first voyage to North America. But the adventure is just beginning, for when they return to Mr. Whittaker's workshop with the sunstone, there is another note waiting for them, requesting a silver goblet.
Join Patrick and Beth as they continue their travel to various lands and time in the Imagination Station book series.

Anastasia is a carefree young duchess, daughter of Nicholas Alexandrovitch Romanov, tsar of all the Russias in 1914. While her father attends to the turbulent affairs of a vast and complex country, Anastasia's major concerns are how to get out of her detested schoolwork to play in the snow, go ice skating, or have picnics. She wears diamonds and rubies, and every morning her mother tells her which matching outfit she and her three sisters shall wear that day. Slowly a hint of future trouble enters her happy, pampered life. Anastasia's younger brother, the future tsar, is a hemophiliac—a "bleeder" who cannot stop bleeding if he is cut or bruised. Anastasia begins to learn that all is not well in the outside world, either. Not everyone in Russia worships her father as she does, and the Germans are about to declare war on Russia. Anastasia's world gradually deteriorates, as reported in her youthful, often playful journal.

As Russia entered World War I, hunger and poverty grew among the peasants, and the Romanov ruling family began to lose favor, culminating in their murders—including Anastasia's—by Bolshevik revolutionaries. This fictionalized diary of the mischievous youngest daughter's last four years gives a fascinating glimpse into a life of unlimited wealth—and the subsequent downward spiral. Historical notes, family trees, and photographs round out Carolyn Meyer's compelling contribution to the popular Royal Diaries series. (Ages 9 to 14) —Emilie Coulter

Eight-year-old Hope Brown and her little sister, Annie, love to travel, and because of their dad's job, the two home-schooled girls have lots of opportunities. Join the fun as they visit exciting countries and meet inspiring Christians from all over the world!

In The British Bear Caper, Hope and Annie's grandparents take them to Oxford, England. The two sisters can't wait to explore the historic town. But their visit takes a surprise twist when a teddy bear from their host's toy shop turns up in Hope's backpack. As much as Hope loves bears, she would never steal one! Will the shop's owner believe her?

Eight-year-old Hope Brown and her little sister, Annie, love to travel, and because of their dad's job, the two home-schooled girls have lots of opportunities. Join the fun as they visit exciting countries and meet inspiring Christians from all over the world.

In New Zealand Shake-Up, Hope and Annie visit a sheep ranch in New Zealand and see farm life close up. And when an earthquake shakes things up, Hope finds that living on a farm is anything but dull! But something more than an earthquake is troubling the friendly farmhand, Rangi. Can Hope help him before he gets hurt?

Tom Barton and his Uncle Jack live on the edge of danger, smuggling goods under the very nose of the king's searchers. Shrewd, brave, desperate at times, they make run after run across the Channel, braving rough seas, heavy winds, and a growing restlessness among their countrymen. All Europe is aflame with the writing and preaching of Martin Luther.

Tom and his uncle come into contact with another man, William Tyndale, whose work and prayer is to put an English Bible into the hands of the common people. While Uncle Jack sees only the profit in a religious Reformation, it is Tom who sees in Tyndale's work the dawning of a new age and a new way of life for himself and England.

William Tyndale was the hawk that dare not hunt by day. Hunted, hated by many, a fugitive in several countries, this humble man's pen changed the course of history. For modern Christians, he is the symbol of scholarship and courage, determination and meekness. For Tom Barton, he was father and friend, teacher and comforter, and the first true testimony of Christ in a godless age.