Marie Sontag
Author
Marie Sontag enjoys transporting middle grade and young adult readers to various time periods and locations by creating stories that bring the past to life. Her fifteen years of teaching middle school and high school have given her insight into what students find entertaining, and her B.A. in social science and M.A. and Ph.D. in education provide her with a solid background for writing historical fiction.
Born in Wisconsin, she spent most of her life in California, but now lives with her husband in Texas. When not writing, she enjoys romping with her grandkids, playing clarinet and saxophone in a community band, and nibbling red licorice or Tootsie Pops while devouring a good book.
Visit Marie online at: http://www.mariesontag.com/
Featured Title
Featured
Underground Scouts
Young Adult Historical Fiction
Warsaw, Poland
September 8, 1939
Their scoutmaster’s chair squeaked as he shifted his weight. “What I am about to ask from all of you is a personal sacrifice on behalf of Poland. Your final decision is, of course, up to you. You must each make your own decision.”
A hush filled the room. The Scouts’ pale faces betrayed the struggle that plagued them all.
Tadzio broke the spell. “I mean no disrespect, Professor. I don’t know why my father had to leave, but since he’s gone, my family is my priority.”
Squaring her shoulders, Magdalena inched forward on her chair. “And earlier this week my father’s brother and his wife were killed when a bomb hit their apartment building in Warsaw.” Her voice quivered. “Now, we’re also caring for our orphaned 11-year-old cousin, Józefina.”
Tadzio nodded. “Since I am the eldest son, my first responsibility is to my family.”
“Well spoken, son.” Professor Handelsman studied Tadzio over the top of his glasses. “What about the rest of you?”
Tadzio’s patrol leader, Andrzej, spoke first. “This is what we’ve prepared for all summer. The Scout training we received in the Kampinos Forest these past few months-first aid, food storage, water purification, map reading skills, Morse Code, riflery-it all prepared us for this moment. I will give my all for Poland.”
Lech smoothed back his thick, black hair. “Andrzej’s right. It’s time to take a stand.”
First Lech, then Andrzej, and finally Lech’s younger brother, Stefan, rose to their feet with raised chins, they punched their fists into the air and shouted in unison. “Czuwaj!
Be vigilant! Stay awake! Be prepared!”
Tadzio and Magdalena weren’t prepared for their Polish Scoutmaster’s challenge. Not until their parents disappeared. A Young Adult historical novel, Underground Scouts brings to light the brave efforts of Polish Boy Scouts and Girl Guides who fought alongside the Polish Underground during World War II.
Also by Marie Sontag
California Trail Discovered
After a mysterious house fire kills 13-year-old Daniel Whitcomb’s parents, he and his younger stepsister, Hannah, must move West with their guardian. Orphaned, and desperate to find a way back home to Illinois to solve the mystery of his parents’ deaths, Daniel’s trail leads him on an unexpected path. The rigors of travel by wagon train take their toll as the pioneers ford streams, argue over their chosen route, and deal with sickness, a shortage of food, and death.
Yosemite Trail Discovered
Join sixteen-year-old Daniel Whitcomb as he juggles a growing relationship with Virginia Reed, one of the survivors of the Donner Party, helps his Miwok friend learn how to read and write, and manages the account ledgers for his guardian, Jim Savage at his trading posts in the California gold fields.
This novel captivated me with it’s memorable characters and how Marie Sontag captured the essence of the plight of the Westward seeking Americans.