Ernie Holyer

12-year-old Sigi Ettinger and his sister, Steffi, spend the summer at grandfather's farm. The train takes them from the city--filled with high-rise apartments, congestion, and noise--to the beautiful mountains of Bavaria where grandfather lives.

On the farm butter is made by churning cream, there is no running hot water, and horses pulled the plow.

But the lack of modern conveniences is not their main difficulty. They arrived to find that their cousin dislikes them, and grandfather carries an unforgiving grudge against their pop up.

Your mouth water as you read about Aunt Matilde's larder where boards are dotted with miniature cheeses, baskets are heaped with eggs, crocks are brimming with cream, jars are jammed with fruit, and crusty breads line the shelves.

You'll puzzle at the mystery of the secret door, smile at the surprise birthday party, and wonder what the future holds when fire roars through the haymow.… (mehr)