Pendred Noyce - Lost in Lexicon: An Adventure in Words and Numbers

This is an adventure story for the digital generation, and Lost in Lexicon breaks new ground in the adventure genre.
This rollicking, often tongue-in-cheek novel will appeal to young readers who need a break from their computer games and long to journey into the woods of learning.

ForeWord Reviews

* * *

Lost in Lexicon is a smart romp of a book. Just as 13-year-olds Ivan and Daphne are propelled on a quest through the land of Lexicon so the reader will be pulled through this intriguing story with its puzzles and games. A challenging read and an entertaining adventure rolled into an extremely handsome package with excellent illustrations.

M ARY L OGUE , co-author of the Bloodwater mystery series

* * *

Imaginative & clever, with a gripping story line, Lost in Lexicon reminds us of the beauty of numbers and language The book will engage adults and children alike In the end, Ivan and Daphne urge us not to pass through life mindlessly, but to Look, Think, and Askan important reminder for us all.

D ENNIS B ARTELS , Executive Director, The Exploratorium, San Francisco

* * *

Parents will find Lost in Lexicon rich in conversation-starters. Children will be entranced. Fast-paced, funny, and full of adventure, this witty, thought-provoking book is an ideal selection for a family reading experience.

R OBIN S CHADER , Parent Resource Advisor,
National Association for Gifted Children

* * *

In Lexicon, everything from friendship to finding lost children demands mathematical and metaphorical thinking. Readers of Daphnes and Ivans adventures are sure to increase their love for playing with words, questioning, and solving puzzles. Lost in Lexicon is ideal for reading aloud with kids.

J AN M OKROS , Executive Director,
Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance

* * *

This is an absolutely fantastic book, a necessary read for both children and adults! No matter if you like words or numbers better, this book is highly recommended and will leave you with better understanding of concepts and of yourself!

T IFFANY S TONE , Schuler Books & Music, Okemos, MI

* * *

Penny didnt just leave it at writing a great book. Shes gone well over the extra mile.

M ARVA D ASEF , short story and fiction author

* * *

My daughter gave it an A+. Lost in Lexicon is like City of Ember crossed with The Mysterious Benedict Society.

J ENNY S EEMAN , Meadowbrook, MA, School Library Committee

* * *

My fifth-grade daughter, Caroline, is raving about Lost in Lexicon Thank you for writing such a compelling, intelligent story.

C ATHY L., Mother, Meadowbrook, MA

* * *

I read this book from start to finish and then couldnt resist the temptation to read it again! My only complaint is that it ends

L ISIA , age 12

* * *

I just love the storyline of your book and all the adventures that the characters take. I cant wait for the sequel!

E LLIE , grade 6

* * *

I really enjoyed Lost in Lexicon because it had a lot of fun and challenging problems I can not wait until Ice Castle comes out so I can read it.

E VAN , grade 4

* * *

One of the things I like most about Lost in Lexicon is that it is the type of book that makes you think.

C HARLOTTE , grade 6

* * *

Your book is so inspiring

R EBECCA , grade 4

* * *

I think that Lost in Lexicon is the beginning of a great new fictional series which I will continue to read.

E MRE , age 12

* * *

There are lots of funny and clever parts.

S ATCHEL , grade 4

* * *

An INDIE NEXT Kids List Winter 2011 selection

I would like to thank the thoughtful readers at www.critiquecircle.com, Kit Ward, Karen Klockner, and especially Rebecca Raibley for helping bring this book to life.

LOST IN
LEXICON

An Adventure in Words and Numbers

by PENDRED NOYCE

Illustrations by Joan Charles

Copyright 2011 Pendred Noyce
Published by Scarletta Press

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, write to Scarletta Press, 10 South Fifth Street, Suite 1105, Minneapolis, MN 55402, U.S.A, www.scarlettapress.com.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either a product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental

The Lexile Framework for Reading Lexile measure 730L

LEXILE, LEXILE FRAMEWORK, LEXILE ANALYZER and the LEXILE logo are trademarks of MetaMetrics, Inc., and are registered in the United States and abroad. The trademarks and names of other companies and products mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Copyright 2011 MetaMetrics, Inc. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Noyce, Pendred.

Lost in Lexicon : an adventure in words and numbers / by Pendred Noyce ; illustrations by Joan Charles. -- 1st ed.

p. cm.

Summary: When Aunt Adelaide sends thirteen-year-old cousins Ivan and Daphne on a treasure hunt in the rain, they never expect to stumble into a whole new world where words and numbers run wild.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9830219-3-3 (electronic)
ISBN-10: 0-9830219-3-7 (electronic)

[1. English language--Usage--Fiction. 2. Mathematics--Fiction. 3. Cousins--Fiction. 4. Fantasy.] I. Charles, Joan, ill. II. Title.

PZ7.N953Los 2011
[Fic]--dc22
2011013583

Illustrations: Joan Charles
Design & Composition: Jeanne Abboud
Production Management: Mighty Media
Distributed by Publishers Group West

First edition

For Damian,

who loves both words and numbers

T heres a lot of math, poetry, and twisted logic in this book. If you want to skim lightly over some of those parts on your first time through, dont worry. Youll follow the story just fine anyway. Still, youll have more fun if you dig in deeply.

For puzzles, a quiz, and games relating to the book, visit the book website at http://www.lostinlexicon.com. There youll find blogs, activities, a journey through Lexicon, and more.

Contents

12. The Compass
(A Mathematical Interlude)

F or a while it seemed as if the old summers were back and Ivan and Daphne would never run out of things to do. The two cousins built a raft of branches and rode out onto the river below the bridge, where the raft promptly sank. They chased the neighbors sheep. One afternoon, tracking a porcupine, they almost stumbled on a skunk. They climbed trees and tried to find a good place for a rope swing.