BOOK ONE
The Adventure Begins
Thirteen-year-old BJ loses his San Diego home to a wildfire. His family retreats to his grandfather's desert farm in Cedar Wash, in the Four Corners country of red rock, irrigation ditches, hay barns and one hardware store. BJ sees a barn full of junk. Grandpa shows him a barn full of parts. With three new friends, BJ starts inventing — and starts belonging.
CHARACTERS
- • BJ
- • Grandpa
- • Three Cedar Wash friends
LOCATIONS
- • Grandpa's farm
- • The barn
- • Cedar Wash hardware store
- • The irrigation ditch
INVENTIONS IN THIS STORY
- • The ditch water wheel
- • The spring-loaded launcher
- • The barn signal line
FOR PARENTS & TEACHERS
Book One anchors resourcefulness, mentorship and starting over. Reading level 8–15; every chapter pairs with a hands-on build on this site.
For Grown-Ups →BUILD IT YOURSELF
NEXT IN THE SERIES
The barn is only the beginning. Wait until they take it outside.
BOOK TWO: The Adventure Gets Bigger →Meet everyone: BJ · Brook · Tyson · Hash