The Bindi and Beam Series
An illustrated near-SciFi/LowFantasy adventure series for upper Elementary
Book 1 - The Web Trap
Bindi’s best friend, Maddy, falls into a catatonic stupor while playing with the latest DreamWalker VR, which she got for her twelfth birthday. The cause puzzled her doctors, but Bindi’s twin brother Beam, analyzing the device's data, suspects she may have escaped into her own personalised metaverse. Bindi and her companions discover that following her in is far more dangerous than the risk of becoming zombie-like themselves. No matter what the cost, finding and bringing her back is her only chance, otherwise Maddy will remain trapped in her own fantasy forever.
The high resolution images can be used as overheads in class to stimulate
book discussions or used for any other educational purpose.
Book 2 - The Mauled Mage
Join Beam and Bindi, along with their friends Maddy, Jack, and the newest member of their gang, Lee, as they dive into the treacherous metaverse of the World of Warcraft. Their journey takes a dangerous turn when they become the targets of a cunning cyberbully. Trapped in a world filled with dark mages, menacing trolls, and spells that threaten to tear them apart, the group must navigate through chaos and confusion. In this virtual realm, they cross paths with Ghoric, a fearsome three-headed statue, whose challenges push their adventure to new heights with shocking twists and turns. This tale is more than just a thrilling escapade; it's a deep dive into the heart of overcoming adversity. As our heroes confront the cyberbully's schemes, they learn valuable lessons about empathy, teamwork, and the courage it takes to stand up against wrongdoings.
The Bindi and Beam MG adventure series covers key technology issues for 8+ readers. Each novella comes with an educator’s guide and lesson plans.
The Web Trap - tech obsession - An enthralling virtual adventure turns perilous, as friends race against time in a digital labyrinth to rescue one of their own from the seductive clutches of a reality-bending game. (published)
The Mauled Mage - cyber-bullying - A gripping virtual saga of friendship and bravery, where a group of young metaverse adventurers confront the shadows of cyberbullying in a fantastical world that mirrors their own. (to be published soon)
The Bewitched Game - digital health & wellbeing - A riveting tale of virtual reality, where a young girl's quest against a vengeful witch’s spell becomes a race to save a generation from the blurring lines between the digital and real worlds. (to be published early 2024)
The Truth Merchants - media literacy - A thrilling journey where our young heroes battle a digital dystopia, teaching vital lessons in digital literacy and the power of unity in the face of online chaos. (to be published first quarter’ 24)
The Not-Me Selfies - digital identity - A thrilling tale of identity, technology, and friendship, where teens confront their AI doppelgangers in a digital battle for identity, blurring the lines between virtual reality and the essence of self. (to be published first quarter’ 24)
The Meta Menace - digital commerce - Join Bindi and Beam on an electrifying journey through a cyberpunk wonderland, where they'll challenge the oppressors, restore the rules of digital commerce, and unleash the true potential of technology – an unputdownable adventure that redefines the boundaries of the digital realm! (to be published before July’ 24)
The Controller - attention is a resource - Join 'The Controller' saga – a captivating journey where your attention is the prized treasure, and controlling it means mastering your digital destiny.
The Cybernetic Ciphers - In this heart-pounding adventure, a group of friends navigate the perils of a digitally connected world while unraveling the secrets of safeguarding their privacy, making it a must-read for young readers seeking to protect their online identity. Theme: Online Privacy
The Counterfeiters - In an exhilarating digital adventure, Bindi and her friends dive deep into the metaverse's counterfeit art world, confronting betrayal and deception while unraveling the intricacies of copyright and the importance of safeguarding the rights of content creators. Their ultimate showdown with the enigmatic mastermind highlights the transformative power of knowledge and unity, emphasizing the significance of upholding ethical standards in the realm of digital creativity Theme: copyright/content ownership
The Players - online influence - story outlined
The Scammers - fraud/crime - first draft
The Investigator - digital footprints - story outlined
The Net Makers - about the Internet itself - story outlined
Tomorrowland - a possible future - concept stage
The Team Savv-i Series
A trilogy for young teenagers follows the Bindi and Beam series using the same protagonists facing age-relevant ITC issues
Cyber Secrets - the nine elements of digital citizenship - Dive into the digital adventure of a lifetime with 'Cyber Secrets' as twins Bindi and Beam, along with their friends, battle against the sinister forces of Big-O in a high-stakes quest to make the internet safer and fairer. With cyberbullying, identity theft, and a superintelligent showdown, it's a thrilling ride through cyberspace you won't want to miss!
Cyber Whispers - media literacy - listen to their 'Cyber Whispers, a fake news ghost story that takes young readers on a thrilling journey through cyberspace, teaching essential lessons about media discernment and the power of truth in today's digital world!
Cyber Enhanced - about how tech shapes the user - enter the heart-pounding world of 'Cyber Enhanced,' where Team Savv-i races against time to stop a sinister plot that could reshape humanity. A thrilling quest that explores the edge of technology and personal relationships, this story is a spine-tingling journey into the potential dark side of self-enhancing tech.