Books with author Suzanne Downes

Ten year old Cassia Byfleet has a secret. She has found a magical Egyptian effigy called an ushabti which can grant her wishes – and Cassie needs wishes badly.Her archaeologist father died in the Great War, her mother has gone to Egypt to help Howard Carter with Tutankhamen’s newly discovered tomb and she is left in the charge of her despised Aunt Maude.As if that wasn’t bad enough, Aunt Maude has a new friend, Mr Judd who comes to visit bringing his three children and their dog with him. The twelve year old twins, Bruno and Rawley, immediately take a dislike to Cassie, but their nine year old sister Edie, along with her little dog, Major, are soon firm friends with the lonely little girl, who is still grieving for her lost father and missing her mother.Of course having a magical servant is not quite as exciting as it seems and there follows a number of misunderstandings and misadventures, including being kidnapped by gypsies.Then Cassie’s mother is caught in a roof-fall in a forgotten tomb in Egypt and Cassie finally realises that she is going to have to use the ushabti for something other than her own pleasure and desires.But Kesbet the ushabti sees Mrs Byfleet as a tomb-robber, not a discoverer and Cassie finds that her father was also a victim of Kesbet’s protective curse. Can she find the strength to force Kesbet to obey her commands to save her mother, or will the ushabti fulfil his ancient task of punishing all those who desecrate the Pharaoh’s tomb?

Cassie Byfleet is home from school for the summer holidays and looking forward to having more exciting adventures with her ushabti – Kesbet, the Ancient Egyptian servant she woke from the Afterlife and who possesses magical powers.The first few days are filled with fun when Kesbet produces a magical reed boat so that Cassie can go on the river and changes her into a falcon so that she can soar over the countryside.Things change suddenly for the worst when Hattie Byfleet, Cassie’s widowed mother, announces that they need to sell everything they can to avoid having to move out of their lovely old home, Laburnum cottage.Meanwhile, Cassie’s adventures with Kesbet have been witnessed by the curator of the local museum, Miss Swallow. When Hattie asks for help in selling the many artefacts in the house, Miss Swallow takes the opportunity to steal Kesbet and tries to use him to make her rich.What can Cassie do? With the help of her cousins, and their little dog Major, Cassie hatches a plan to get Kesbet back and help her mother with her money troubles. But they are only children and no longer have Kesbet’s magic to help them, so can they really outwit the wicked Miss Swallow, and find a way to save Laburnum Cottage from being sold?

Ten year old Cassia Byfleet has a secret. She has found a magical Egyptian effigy called an ushabti which can grant her wishes – and Cassie needs wishes badly. Her archaeologist father died in the Great War, her mother has gone to Egypt to help Howard Carter with Tutankhamen’s newly discovered tomb and she is left in the charge of her despised Aunt Maude. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Aunt Maude has a new friend, Mr Judd who comes to visit bringing his three children and their dog with him. The twelve year old twins, Bruno and Rawley, immediately take a dislike to Cassie, but their nine year old sister Edie, along with her little dog, Major, are soon firm friends with the lonely little girl, who is still grieving for her lost father and missing her mother. Of course having a magical servant is not quite as exciting as it seems and there follows a number of misunderstandings and misadventures, including being kidnapped by gypsies. Then Cassie’s mother is caught in a roof-fall in a forgotten tomb in Egypt and Cassie finally realises that she is going to have to use the ushabti for something other than her own pleasure and desires. But Kesbet the ushabti sees Mrs Byfleet as a tomb-robber, not a discoverer and Cassie finds that her father was also a victim of Kesbet’s protective curse. Can she find the strength to force Kesbet to obey her commands to save her mother, or will the ushabti fulfil his ancient task of punishing all those who desecrate the Pharaoh’s tomb?

Brian the tortoise wants an adventure, so one day he escapes from Vicky's garden and wanders into the nearby woods. He meets lots of other animals but is sad to find he can't play with anyone. Poor Brian can't climb trees with the squirrel and he can't swim in the pond like the frogs. He can't run fast and hop like the rabbits. Will bold Brian ever find something he can do?

Cassie Byfleet is home from school for the summer holidays and looking forward to having more exciting adventures with her ushabti – Kesbet, the Ancient Egyptian servant she woke from the Afterlife and who possesses magical powers. The first few days are filled with fun when Kesbet produces a magical reed boat so that Cassie can go on the river and changes her into a falcon so that she can soar over the countryside. Things change suddenly for the worst when Hattie Byfleet, Cassie’s widowed mother, announces that they need to sell everything they can to avoid having to move out of their lovely old home, Laburnum cottage. Meanwhile, Cassie’s adventures with Kesbet have been witnessed by the curator of the local museum, Miss Swallow. When Hattie asks for help in selling the many artefacts in the house, Miss Swallow takes the opportunity to steal Kesbet and tries to use him to make her rich. What can Cassie do? With the help of her cousins, and their little dog Major, Cassie hatches a plan to get Kesbet back and help her mother with her money troubles. But they are only children and no longer have Kesbet’s magic to help them, so can they really outwit the wicked Miss Swallow, and find a way to save Laburnum Cottage from being sold?