The explosive reveal about who John and Sarah really are and why they’re traveling through time, with their most gut-wrenching challenge yet.
In the time of the Aztec, a scoundrel named Cortés arrives and the kids are forced to make an extremely difficult decision: If you could change history, should you? For more twists, more danger, and more fun, read the third book in The Eye of Ra series, People of the Sun!
ISBNs:
hardback 9781734155273
paperback 9781734155280
ebook 9781734155266
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“An SF–infused tale that proves both entertaining and educational.” –Kirkus Reviews. Read the full review here.
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“Middle-grade readers with a love of high-stakes fantasy will be pleased with this time-crossed historical adventure.” -BookLife Reviews by Publishers Weekly. Read the full review here.
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“The children’s media studio Literary Safari included PEOPLE OF THE SUN in a diverse and inclusive Grade 6 booklist they developed for a ‘Big 3’ educational publisher’s K-6 literacy program. They recommend introducing students to this book as a whole-group, small-group, or independent read as part of a culturally responsive literature study on the essential question What was life like for people in ancient cultures?” -Literary Safari Media
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“This thought-provoking installment in the Eye of Ra series is filled with adventure, action, and fun. The plot is intense and questions scientific ideas that will invite readers to think. The author tackles the nuances of time travel with ease, and the well-researched plot moves at a fast pace.” -BookLife Prize by Publishers Weekly. Read the full review here.
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“People of the Sun is an exciting time travel novel in which siblings jump from mortal danger to moral dilemmas . . .” –Foreword Reviews, Spotlight Review Jan/Feb 2022
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“People of the Sun is an amazing read that keeps you on the edge of your seat! There are twists that you don’t see coming and surprise you every time. The best part, however, is John and Sarah’s love for each other and how they never give up!” -Emmie Enchanted, Kid Blogger. Read the full review on Fantastic Books and Where to Find Them.
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“Definitely a 5 out of 5! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The most exciting by far and I definitely recommend it!”
-Harriet’s Book Reviews
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“The epic reveal we’ve been waiting for with the biggest stakes yet! You’ll be breathlessly turning pages until the very end…” -Sam Subity, author of The Last Shadow Warrior
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“Thought-provoking, compelling, and exquisitely designed, this is a satisfying conclusion to the Eye of Ra series and is a highly recommended addition to libraries for advanced middle grade readers.” -Mary Lanni, book blogger, librarian, and reviewer for School Library Journal. Read the full review here.
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“As a person of indigenous descent and current tribal citizen, I love that People of the Sun shares the complex pre-colonial history of the Mexica. The daily existence, both in the village and the city of Tenochtitlan, is portrayed respectfully and without judgement. I especially love how John notices the supreme beauty, even while confronting some of the darker elements of older civilizations. I also appreciate the author’s note at the end of the book, which provides more details on the Mexica and resources to learn even more. People of the Sun is an engaging read that is sure to enrapture middle grade readers. It has the perfect balance of a thought provoking plot, intense action sequences, and relatable characters. This entire series is guaranteed to become a favorite for any history-obsessed reader.” –Paws in the Sink book review. Read the full outstanding review here.
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“This is Gartner’s finest, most nuanced book in the series, and literally EVERYTHING is at stake here. It’s the kind of story that can be enjoyed by younger readers looking for an exciting read or deeper thinkers who love to ponder the intricacies of time travel and the hidden histories we aren’t taught in school. After two outstanding MG novels, Ben Gartner has put an exclamation point on his series with People of the Sun.” -Shawn Peters, author of The Unforgettable Logan Foster
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“I love the action and fast-paced plots of the Ben Gartner books. People of the Sun is no different. I also love how it connects to the other books in the series!” -Chris Baron, author of The Magical Imperfect
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“This series just keeps getting more intricate and exciting! Book #3 was, by far, my favorite installment of the series. The story has really stuck with me and since Gartner left an opening for more installments, I’m very hopeful this isn’t the last we see of John and Sarah!” –The Miller Memo Blog
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“Spy Kids meets Back to the Future. A wondrous adventure odyssey for middle graders, People of the Sun, is a treat for sci-fi lovers. Author Ben Gartner’s approach to the narrative makes the time-tested premise of time travel feel refreshingly unique and innovative. Despite the non-linear narrative style and the intricacies of the plot, the story is easily accessible, and you find yourself immersed within the first couple of pages. The characters are colorful and full of life. Their vibrant personalities make them easy to root for and thoroughly enjoyable to read. John and Sarah’s sibling dynamic provides the narrative thrust to the story. I had an absolute blast with People of the Sun, and I highly recommend it to preteens and young teenagers who’re into sci-fi.” –Readers’ Favorite
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“People of the Sun is an excellent book. It has time travel, history, action, and adventure! It is filled with moral conundrums, universal impacting decisions, and morality. Ben has done another superb job with this book. He has managed to mold history with adventure again. Just reading this book and the Author’s Note at the end, I learned quite-a-bit about the Aztecs, Cortés and the fall of an entire empire. This book is a great read for the young and old alike. I highly recommend this series and don’t forget to read the Author’s Notes. Ben provides links to the historical references if the reader would like to learn more about the period. I can’t wait to read about Sarah and John’s next adventure!” –Litercurious Blog
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“No one writes kids adventure like Ben Gartner! Every one of the Eye of Ra series show what Gartner is great at–adventure mixed with great, well-researched history. This is a great gift book— definitely get it.” -Jason Henderson, author of Young Captain Nemo series
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“Awesome conclusion to a super-fun trilogy. Highly recommended for the younger readers in your life!” -Nick Courage, author of Storm Blown and Snow Struck
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“Ben Gartner has done it again! People of the Sun is full of history, adventure, suspense and time travel! The journey continues for Sarah and John with surprising twists and turns. As a teacher, I loved the incorporation of pronunciation keys and the author note at the end. Kids will be lining up to read this!” -Stacy Alfano, 5th grade teacher
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“…a time-traveling adventure filled with humor, heart, and history…Gartner balances heart-thumping action sequences with smart dialogue, vivid descriptions, and history lessons that never feel like actual lessons. I highly recommend People of the Sun and the full Eye of Ra series for any middle grade reader and for the adults who enjoy well-crafted stories.” –Barb Hopkins, author of MG and YA
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“If your kids are itching for an exciting and educational time travel adventure… this is it! It’ll leave them wanting to learn more!” -Mike Meraz, creator of the popular Aaron’s World podcast
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First Place ribbon from the Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Awards!
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More to come…
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