Books with author Christopher Santoro

Someone has been stealing Charlie the bear's cookies. Each day he bakes five cookies, then settles down for a nap. But lately he's woken up to find that he has only four cookies left! Charlie hatches a plan to catch the thief and make sure his cookies are never stolen again. But Charlie slowly comes to realize there might be a better way to deal with the problem. Join Charlie and his new friend in this delightful tale of forgiveness and sharing. About the Author A current resident of Arvada, Colorado, Christopher M. Sandoval has lived in the Denver area for most of his life. A teacher, he is a graduate of Adams State College. He is married with two adult sons. He enjoys riding bikes, reading, and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. About the Illustrator Daniel Gallegos is an educator, a veteran, and a native of Denver, Colorado.

Forced to leave the few friends she’s ever had and the only life she’s ever known, snarky fifteen-year-old Marissa arrives at Briar Creek, a remote Virginia plantation house, lonely and unhappy. Immediately upon arrival, she learns that her parents have come under the power of the demon that has dwelled there for over a century and that her very life hangs by a thread. With her life in peril, Marissa makes several discoveries that would turn any teenager’s life upside down. Finding out that the nearby town of Mills Run is inhabited by the souls of her dead relatives who continually try to communicate with her is terrifying. Knowing her parents are under full control of the demon, who unbeknownst to her wants to father a child and rule the world, is even worse. Realizing that she only has Max, her faithful dog for support, Marissa begins to give up all hope. That’s until she finds the journal of the long dead boy who used to occupy her room. Reading about his life, Marissa begins to fall in love and fantasizes about the seemingly impossible, meeting him. Her impossible dream miraculously comes true when Zachary materializes to save her life and teach her of the powers she never knew she possessed. Allied with her first love, and more powerful than any teenage girl ever dreamed, Marissa gains confidence and believes she can do anything. Together, can this improbable duo save Marissa’s family and the world from the demon before it’s too late?

The sometimes sad, always fascinating true story of Jumbo the Elephant, star of Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth. Follows Jumbo's life, from his capture in Africa through his years in the Paris and London zoos to his days with P. T. Barnum--where he drew the greatest crowds in circus history. Also touched on is the plight of the elephant as an endangered species, and those steps taken to help ensure elephants' survival in the wild and protection from mistreatment in captivity.