Time Benders
Authors: Gary Paulsen
Zack squeezed his eyes closed and then reopened them slowly. “This can’t be happening. It’s not real.”
The leader raised his arm and two soldiers leaped from their chariots and shoved the boys, forcing them to bow all the way to the ground.
“Feels real to me.” Jeff reached for his basketball.
“It can’t be,” Zack whispered. “Did you hear what he said? He works for Tutankhamen.”
“So?”
“Tutankhamen ruled Egypt around 1360
B.C
.”
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YEARLING BOOKS
are designed especially to entertain and enlighten young people. Patricia Reilly Giff, consultant to this series, received her bachelor’s degree from Marymount College and a master’s degree in history from St. John’s University. She holds a Professional Diploma in Reading and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University. She was a teacher and reading consultant for many years, and is the author of numerous books for young readers.
Published by
Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers
a division of
Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.
1540 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Copyright © 1997 by Gary Paulsen
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law.
The trademarks Yearling
®
and Dell
®
are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries.
eISBN: 978-0-307-80406-8
Series design: Barbara Berger
Interior illustration by Michael David Biegel
v3.1
Dear Readers:
Real adventure is many things—it’s danger and daring and sometimes even a struggle for life or death. From competing in the Iditarod dogsled race across Alaska to sailing the Pacific Ocean, I’ve experienced some of this adventure myself. I try to capture this spirit in my stories, and each time I sit down to write, that challenge is a bit of an adventure in itself.
You’re all a part of this adventure as well. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of talking with many of you in schools, and this book is the result of hearing firsthand what you want to read about most—power-packed adventure and excitement.
You asked for it—so hang on tight while we jump into another thrilling story in my World of Adventure.
HAPTER
1
DENVER
Twelve-year-old Zack Griffin leaned back at his desk with his hands folded behind his head. His science teacher was explaining the directions for a government-sponsored intelligence test she wanted them to take.
Zack yawned. This class was boring. He couldn’t believe the government wanted in on it. His teacher had told the class the government wanted to start a program for future scientists
and was testing to see who might qualify.
Zack let his feet drop to the floor and glanced at the first page of the test. It was the usual mumbo jumbo designed to see if his IQ was as high as the school claimed.
In the top corner of the test, where he was not supposed to write, Zack drew a picture of Mrs. Johnson, his teacher. It was a perfect caricature. Two large, square teeth stuck out over her pudgy bottom lip. She looked like a chipmunk with glasses.
“I suppose I should be flattered that you choose to recognize my existence, Mr. Griffin, since everything else in here seems to weary you.” Mrs. Johnson stood in front of his desk with her arms folded. “But we do have a test to take, so let’s get on with it. Did I mention that if your scores are high enough you will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit with some of America’s leading scientists?”
Zack looked up through half-closed eyelids. “Sounds like a real blast, Mrs. J.”
Mrs. Johnson pushed her glasses up and studied the half-asleep boy. She knew he had an IQ in the top ten percent of the entire nation and that he was unhappy “wasting” his time in her class. He would rather be at home working on one of his many inventions. She sighed. “Give it a try, Zack. This one could be different.”
LOS ANGELES
“Jeff, would you bring me that stack of government tests from the principal’s desk? I need to get those mailed today.”
“Sure thing, Mrs. Olsen.” The tall twelve-year-old office aide used the secretary’s key and let himself into the principal’s office. “I don’t see them,” he called.
“They’re in the manila envelope.”
“Oh yeah, here they are.” Jeff Brown carried the envelope outside and put it on Mrs. Olsen’s desk. “What’s the deal with these tests anyway?”
The secretary smiled at the boy. “I just do what I’m told. All I know is, students across
the country who score high enough get to go to Washington and meet some very important people.”
“Really?” Jeff frowned. “It figures. The nerds get all the breaks. How come us regular guys never get trips and stuff?”
Mrs. Olsen raised an eyebrow. “Anyone can take the test, Jeff. If you’re interested, there’s a blank one in the filing cabinet.”
Jeff chewed on the inside of his lip. “Why not? I don’t have anything to lose.” He went to the cabinet and looked through the files. When he found the test, he sat on the floor next to the secretary’s desk and quickly began filling in the circles on the answer sheet.
“I don’t want to inhibit your creativity, Jeff. But don’t you think you should take the time to read the questions before you fill in the answers?”
Jeff grinned. “No time. Basketball practice is right after school and Coach doesn’t like us to be late.”
HAPTER
2
“Excuse me, sir. You need to put on your seat belt. We’re about to land.”