Bat Island — Dory Lee Maske

Bat Island is Book 2 of an 8-book series. In this book, Shalin is finally released from her punishment of being confined to her room for disobeying her father.As she joins her family once again at the castle’s dining table, she learns that not only has her freedom been restored, but there is a possibility of a trip to Africa aboard her uncle’s ship.Preparations for the twins’ twelfth birthday party are underway when Shalin’s twin sister Esme returns to Henge. A play given in honor of the twins turns out to be a humorous parody of their impending voyage.With high expectations, the twins and their mother Serafina the Sorceress, set out for Bat Island off the coast of West Africa.Using their secret powers to gather errant breezes into a wind strong enough to fill the ship’s sails, they reach bat Island, a place rich in the guano needed to make exploding arrows.But who will mine the guano on this hot, humid, insect-infected island?They sail to the African mainland in search of willing workers, but what do they find instead? Slaves for sale.Their journey progresses into the heart of Africa where wild animals, drenching rains, desert sands, hidden treasures and raft trips along the Eger River await.