The Bell Bandit

The Bell Bandit by Jacqueline Davies

Everything about this trip to Grandma s house was different:

First, because of the fire, Mrs. Treski, Evan, and Jessie had driven up to Grandma s two days after Christmas instead of the day before, missing Christmas with Grandma entirely.

Second, the fire had left a hole in the back kitchen wall big enough to drive a car through And with Grandma in the hospital and not in her house, everything felt off.

Third, someone had climbed the long, slow slope of Lovell Hill to the top and had stolen the old iron bell hanging on its heavy wooden crossbeam.

Who on earth would steal the New Year s Bell? And how could Grandma, Mrs.Treski, Evan, Jessie, and their neighbors ring in the New Year without it?

Like a modern-day Beverly Cleary, Ms. Davies writes with heart, humor, and honesty about the inevitability of profound change and reveals just how well she understands the complex emotions of the children.

Jacqueline Davies
is a respected HR leader with 18 years' experience in strategic human resource management. She has led the global talent agendas in two FTSE top 10 companies and driven executive integration programmes for two of the largest acquisitions in corporate history. Jacqueline is a recognised thought leader in how companies can deploy talent strategies to achieve commercial advantage. Jacqueline is a non-executive director of two charities and has recently been appointed to the Advisory Board on Leadership Ethics at the Bristol Business School. She can be contacted at truthabouttalent@btinternet.com.

Jeremy Kourdi
is a writer and executive coach. His experience includes commercial leadership, writing and coaching expertise gained with leading brands. During his career he has worked in Europe, North America and the Middle East with a range of organizations including HSBC, Pearson, London Business School, IMD and he was Senior Vice-President with The Economist Group. For further information visit www.LeadershipExpertise.com.