Saving Mount Rushmore: Saint Michael the Archangel Academy, Mission One is a Selah award-winning middle grade adventure novel.
Can he embrace his God-given gifts in time to save Mount Rushmore?
When John Jenkins’ parents ship him off to stay with his aunt, he’s certain it will be the worst summer ever—until he learns he’s been accepted to a top-secret school. St. Michael’s Academy is home to gifted students with extraordinary talents. Although John has no idea why he’s there, he’s assigned to Team Liberty, who assist authorities with low-level crimes. Their first mission: stop a trio of mischief-making teens from vandalizing Mount Rushmore.
John battles feelings of inferiority as he and Team Liberty compete against Devlin Black and his cronies to track down clues and solve puzzles at Mount Rushmore. Along the way, John makes several key contributions, and his self-confidence grows. When he discovers he was admitted to the school due to a clerical error, he’s mortified. Now, he’s strictly an “observer” until the mission’s end. But when his teammates run into trouble, John must summon up the courage to try to save Mount Rushmore, and he learns an invaluable lesson: every person has special God-given gifts—including him.
A guide with lesson plans, worksheets, activity guide, and a parent/teacher guide is now available as a companion to Saving Mount Rushmore.
Reviews
“If you have middle school students in your life who enjoy God, country, adventure, and history, check out Saving Mount Rushmore. This book takes you on an adventure with a boy named John who gets sent to stay with his great-aunt for the summer. This book illustrates teamwork and how even children around the age of 12 can do work for God’s kingdom. I love kids being able to do something to help their country. One of my favorite parts of this book comes at the very end when historical facts about Mount Rushmore along with discussion questions to use.” Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy
“The novel is fast paced and takes logical twists and turns as the team works to complete its mission against Devlin Black and his evil cronies who are out to cause trouble at Mount Rushmore. John, Annabelle, Raphael, and Shaniqua must use their special skills to find clues and uncover the mystery of Devlin’s plans, but the most important point is John’s quest to discover his own talents. Rodgers wants readers to know that everyone has special God-given gifts to share with others, even if those gifts are not easily recognized. Saving Mount Rushmore is a great book with a strong message of how good triumphs over evil. It is interesting and imaginative, and it includes secret codes that even I as an adult attempted to decipher.” Review by S. Leigh Hall of Catholic Reads
“It has some mystery, suspense, action and adventure. The whole story was fun and entertaining. It also teaches some good history lessons, as well.” Review by Locks, Hooks and Books
“This entertaining book is both fun and educational with the use of clues, secret codes, intriguing puzzles, and yes, a magic mirror. John and the three other students in Team Liberty are required to use both knowledge and wits in a special mission to save Mount Rushmore. Rodgers creates moral issues that pose questions of what is right and wrong, and she shares a faith message that encourages young people to rely and trust in God. Most of all, she uses John’s belief that he is only average to stress the fact that all of us have special talents. John’s self-esteem greatly improves, and this is wonderful motivation for young people reading the story!” Review by Older & Smarter
“I think any reader that likes children that become heroes will enjoy this book. This book also reinforces that everyone can be used by God and everyone is special.” Review by Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
May 2019: Saving Mount Rushmore won third place in the 2018 Selah book awards – middle grade category.
Saving Mount Rushmore: Saint Michael the Archangel Academy, Mission One is a Selah award-winning middle grade adventure novel.
Can he embrace his God-given gifts in time to save Mount Rushmore?
When John Jenkins’ parents ship him off to stay with his aunt, he’s certain it will be the worst summer ever—until he learns he’s been accepted to a top-secret school. St. Michael’s Academy is home to gifted students with extraordinary talents. Although John has no idea why he’s there, he’s assigned to Team Liberty, who assist authorities with low-level crimes. Their first mission: stop a trio of mischief-making teens from vandalizing Mount Rushmore.
John battles feelings of inferiority as he and Team Liberty compete against Devlin Black and his cronies to track down clues and solve puzzles at Mount Rushmore. Along the way, John makes several key contributions, and his self-confidence grows. When he discovers he was admitted to the school due to a clerical error, he’s mortified. Now, he’s strictly an “observer” until the mission’s end. But when his teammates run into trouble, John must summon up the courage to try to save Mount Rushmore, and he learns an invaluable lesson: every person has special God-given gifts—including him.
