James Rollins kicks off series for kids

  Jake Ransom and his older sister, Kady, are shocked when they receive airline tickets and an invitation to a museum exhibit, “Mayan Treasures of the New World.”
  Jake has long been fascinated by archaeology, but this particular exhibit features artifacts unearthed by his parents just before their disappearance and presumed deaths.
  The siblings attend the event, partially as a way to reconnect with their parents. While there, Jake is drawn to one particular artifact his parents discovered, and in a flash the pair are transported to a lost world, a place where time seems to have collided.
   When their senses return, Jake and Kady find themselves in deep grass. They don’t have long to get their bearings though, as the ground begins to tremble and a boy and girl burst out of the nearby jungle. The boy and girl scream at Jake and Kady to run. As they take off, Jake can’t help but turn around.
  A giant head shoved a hole in the canopy. It was the size of a refrigerator. Its scaly skin steamed, its shark black eyes rolled, and its muzzle split wide with a roar. Razor-sharp teeth, like rows of yellowed daggers, gnashed and tore at the smaller branches.
  Jake recognized the beast.
  It was a carnivore that sat at the top of the food chain.
  Millions of years ago.
  Impossible ...
  “A tyrannosaurus.”
  Once out of danger, Jake and Kady stick close to their two new friends: Marika, a young Mayan girl, and the Roman Pindor.
  Marika and Pindor explain that they are members of the Lost Tribes who all reside in the Valley of Calypsos. Since Jake and Kady are outsiders who so mysteriously appeared, they are taken to the Council of Elders.
  Jake studies Calypsos as they walk through the town.
  Could that grass-roofed structure be a Viking longhouse? And what about that pile of homes raised on stilts? It looked African. But he wasn’t sure. Either way, it seemed all of history had been gathered down below, ancient peoples from every age and land.
  “Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow” is a great archaeological adventure for kids. Written by James Rollins, author of “The Judas Strain” and “The Last Oracle,” this new series is one that will keep the young and young at heart entertained. Next up in the series is “Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx.”