Doug Dillon's Blog, page 149
October 8, 2013
Teen Book Trailer – Paranormal & Historical
Book I of The St. Augustine Trilogy – Sliding Beneath the Surface for young adults
A new resident of America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida, fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden suddenly finds himself up to his eyeballs in frightening paranormal experiences. At the end of his rope in trying to figure out what is happening to him, Jeff decides to rely on his girlfriend Carla Rodriguez, and Lobo, an old Native American shaman, for help.
Despite this guidance, things get even worse. Jeff’s spine-tingling encounters increase in number and intensity at an alarming rate, scaring him even more. Eventually, he makes the startling discovery that unresolved circumstances involving a bloody event directly out of Florida’s distant past threatens his sanity and possibly his life.
Overwhelmed by forces he cannot understand or control, Jeff’s world radically shifts again from frightening to downright terrifying. In desperation, and on Lobo’s advice, he leaps headlong into the unknown in order to save himself. What Jeff discovers though is that he has entered a level of reality he is completely unprepared to handle while unwittingly dragging Carla with him.
Like all the books in THE ST. AUGUSTINE TRILOGY, the premise for Sliding Beneath the Surface is simply this: You create your own reality.
Click here to see the reviews for sliding on Amazon.com.
Click on the article title below to see how this book is now being used in reading classrooms.
Reading Motivation that Worked
October 7, 2013
A Proof Reader Who Helps Writers Shine
Hey authors! Need help cleaning the typos out of your writing?
I’ve just finished having the manuscript for my next novel, Stepping Off a Cliff, proofread. I am so delighted with the results and want to spread the word.
Kitty White did a fantastic job with my work and I couldn’t be more pleased. I’ve know this wonderful lady for a number of years as a mental health therapist here in the Orlando area, but I recently found out she does proofreading in her spare time.
Tell you what, Kitty is a person dedicated to helping people in any way possible. She really puts her heart into her work whether it’s counseling or keeping writers’ efforts glitch free. And her prices are good too.
To contact Kitty through her counseling website, click here. And if you need a good counselor she’s a pro at that as well. I think she might even do phone consultations but you’ll have to check with her on that. God knows, we writers can use all the guidance we can get.
Teen Paranormal Book Series Causes Stir
The St. Augustine Trilogy - a series of terrifying ghosts stories that go way beyond reality as we know it. These weird tales follow fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden in contemporary St. Augustine, Florida as he encounters increasing paranormal forces that threaten to overwhelm him and even eventually destroy the city where he lives. Accompanied by his girlfriend Carla and Lobo, the Native American shaman, Jeff struggles to understand what is happening to him on his incredible coming of age journey.
Each book focuses on St. Augustine almost as if it is a character unto its own. Annual public activities in that old city provide colorful backgrounds as the characters find themselves actually immersed in major historical events of days gone by.
Sliding Beneath the Surface (Book I)
Click here to see the reviews for this book online.
A new resident of America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida, fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden suddenly finds himself up to his eyeballs in frightening paranormal experiences. At the end of his ropein trying to figure out what is happening to him, Jeff decides to rely on his girlfriend Carla Rodriguez, and Lobo, an old Native American shaman, for help.
Despite this guidance, things get even worse. Jeff’s spine-tingling encounters increase in number and intensity at an alarming rate, scaring him even more. Eventually, he makes the startling discovery that unresolved circumstances involving a bloody event directly out of Florida’s distant past threatens his sanity and possibly his life.
Overwhelmed by forces he cannot understand or control, Jeff’s world radically shifts again from frightening to downright terrifying. In desperation, and on Lobo’s advice, he leaps headlong into the unknown in order to save himself. What Jeff discovers though is that he has entered a level of reality he is completely unprepared to handle while unwittingly dragging Carla with him.
Like all the books in THE ST. AUGUSTINE TRILOGY, the premise for Sliding Beneath the Surface is simply this: You create your own reality.
Click here to see the book trailer.
Click here to see how this book is being used in school reading programs for student motivation and the development of comprehension skills.
Stepping off a Cliff (Book II)
As if grieving the loss of a close family member wasn’t tough enough for teenager Jeff Golden, life slams him hard once more. Swept up by terrifying paranormal activity, both he and his girlfriend, Carla Rodriguez, cling to each other for dear life. Along with Lobo, the old Native American shaman, and Lyle, a homeless guy, both young people find themselves desperately struggling to protect others in their hometown of St. Augustine, Florida. Quickly, Jeff and Carla must learn how to use their own unique paranormal abilities effectively or become part of an incredible disaster.
(This book will be available in November of 2013)
Targeting Orion’s Children (Book III)
In this, the final book of The St. Augustine Trilogy, the team of Jeff Golden, Carla Rodriguez, old Lobo, the Native American shaman and Lyle, the homeless guy, gather once again to join forces. This time, though, the two teens face a paranormal presence that defies full human understanding and becomes a threat far beyond the oldest city in America where they live. Overwhelmed by the immense responsibility they hold in their hands, Jeff and Carla make a jaw-dropping discovery that leads them in directions they could never before have imagined.
(This book will be available in early 2015)
Doug Dillon’s Actual Paranormal Adventure
Click here to find online.
Written by Doug and his wife Barbara, this book is a true life account of their family’s plunge into the paranormal. Join the Dillons as they experience startling phenomena, communicate with a nonphysical entity they call The Source and explore the very nature of reality. Readers say this unforgettable leap into the unknown is a welcome road map for those on similar quests
October 6, 2013
Teen Paranormal Book Thrills Readers and Teachers
Sliding Beneath the Surface from The St. Augustine Trilogy- a ghost story that pushes the boundaries of imagination. After reading the description, check out the huge batch of quotes pulled from well over 100 reviews on Amazon.com.
To see the actual reviews on Amazon, click here.
To see the book trailer, click here.
If you are a reading or language arts teacher and want to know more about the use of this book in the middle and high school classroom, see the links at the end of this post.
Jeff
DescriptionA new resident of America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida, fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden suddenly finds himself up to his eyeballs in frightening paranormal experiences. At the end of his rope in trying to figure out what is happening to him, Jeff decides to rely on his girlfriend Carla Rodriguez, and Lobo, an old Native American shaman, for help.
Despite this guidance, things get even worse. Jeff’s spine-tingling encounters increase in number and intensity at an alarming rate, scaring him even more. Eventually, he makes the startling discovery that unresolved circumstances involving a bloody event directly out of Florida’s distant past threatens his sanity and possibly his life.
Overwhelmed by forces he cannot understand or control, Jeff’s world radically shifts again from frightening to downright terrifying. In desperation, and on Lobo’s advice, he leaps headlong into the unknown in order to save himself. What Jeff discovers though is that he has entered a level of reality he is completely unprepared to handle while unwittingly dragging Carla with him.
Like all the books in THE ST. AUGUSTINE TRILOGY, the premise
for Sliding Beneath the Surface is simply this: You create your own reality.
Carla
Sara - Jeff is so clearly a teenage boy that if I didn’t know better I would think that Doug Dillon had only recently left his teenage years behind.
Sunmi - It is actually almost as good as meg cabot’s books. AMAZING!!!!!!
Suzanne - I would definitely let my teens read this book. It is clean, has little swearing, yet has a few small graphic scenes that might scare the Bajibers out of ya :)
Alhanoof - I loved that the book is based on a real battle event and real people that come back as ghosts.
Marissa - I can’t wait for the remainder of the trilogy to find out what’s next for Jeff, Carla and Lobo (Love Lobo – He is awesome!)
Elizabeth - The author has done a great job with the teens—their mannerism, and things they said reminds me of how my teens act.
Cari - It is written like you are really inside a chaotic mind of a teenage boy.
Theresa - This is now a favorite of mine and I plan to have my 12 yr old give this book a try.
Michelle - I found the book haunting
Cynthia - If you enjoy the paranormal genre and history this is a great combination! Enjoy!
Isis - The storyline caught my attention early on and kept it for the remainder of the book, increasing in intensity as we drew toward the conclusion.
Ariel - This book keeps you on your toes every step of the way.
Carrie - Loved this book!! Loved the history, the characters, all of it. Took me no time at all to quickly become engrossed I the world the author created!
Dixie - There are characters you will come to care about and a sense of humor and playfulness and morality woven through the book.
Stina - I’m not a fan of the male perspective, yet this novel changed my mind.
Levina - I found this novel an engaging and fast-paced read since the plot only takes place over two days (same amount of time it took me to finish the book).
Jeni - It is an adventure that will not soon be forgotten, and a great start to the St. Augustine trilogy.
Lobo – the Native American Shaman
Jillian - There are some really exciting moments that lovers of ghost stories will tear through, as well as action scenes that history buffs would appreciate.
Len - It made me feel like I was actually in St. Augustine when I was reading about Jeffrey Golden and following his journey throughout the book.
Lissette - Are you a lover of ya paranormal stories about ghosts, with suspense and a little bit of romance? Definitely you should read this book!!!
Michelle - Amazing read!!! Reading this book not only gave me great entertainment as I was compelled to turn page after page, but I also have a desire to visit this city (st. Augustine) and experience the area myself.
Pam - This is a book was nothing short of extraordinary. Doug pulls you right into the story from the very first chapter and keeps you until the very end.
The Castillo de San Marcos
St. Augustine, Florida
Diana - I’ve since passed this on to my children, and for me to do that, knowing how particular they are… well, I was confident they would love the story as much as I did. I would totally recommend this for everyone!
Samatha - Sliding Beneath the Surface leaves you with wanting more,
Dragonmomma -Sliding Beneath the Surface is a story I can’t wait to share with my son (12y). I know he will enjoy it as much as I did and learn something in the process.
Jennifer - Doug Dillon’s use of history and common sense made things open up in a new way! Everything has a new twist to it and I cant wait for more!
Cassie - What I loved most is that this book grabs you in and takes you hostage to tell you a story it makes you want more and it is so unique and one of a kind.
Lynn - Doug Dillon has written a compelling tale that will capture the imagination of the reader, and take them on a journey filled with mystery, danger and intrigue.
Jennifer - It had just the right amount of paranormal, historical fact and action to keep you thoroughly engrossed start to finish.
Samanatha - I enjoyed this book from the first time I opened it.
Jennifer - I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
Indu - This is one of those young adult books that transcend genre and can be read at various levels. It will appeal to all readers who are interested in the genres of paranormal fiction, history, spiritual / philosophic fiction, inspiration, coming of age or simply a well-written story.
Bridge of Lions – St. Augustine, Florida
Stephanie - Let me start off by saying that this book grasped my attention in a way that caught me off guard.
Dawn- The journey of a lifetime and beyond!
Kathy - I teach Intensive Reading to 11th and 12th graders and am always looking for books that will grab their attention. This book will “hook” them.
Jessica - My students generally dislike reading unless they can relate to the events and characters in the story, and in this first book of a new trilogy, I firmly believe my students will enjoy the adventure that Jeff Golden and his friend Carla take!”
Lisa - Sliding Beneath the Surface is an intriguing story about growing up, dealing with life and the obstacles that are thrown your way. This is a must read for any Middle School student.
Melissa - Dillon had me enthralled from the first chapter. As a native Floridian, I was enrapt in the history and past of St. Augustine. I would highly recommend this to any reader 7th grade and higher.
Sabrina - I started to connect with the characters from the first chapters, wanting to know more about them.
Lisa - The fast-paced nature of the story line will keep readers hooked.”
DuAnne - My middle school students could benefit from the life lessons such as anger management. This is a very engaging book and I believe that all students could benefit from utilizing it as a read aloud or independent read.
Sara - Many of my students are really into paranormal stories right now, and I know that this would be a perfect read for them.
The Second Seminole War
Evangeline - This would make a great accompaniment to the traditional textbook, and would work perfectly in the English or reading classroom.
Caitlin - As a reading teacher, I will be recommending this book to my students who are 12 and up. I think they would really enjoy this book because it is creepy, always exciting, and it includes the paranormal, which they love. They would also learn about history without even realizing it!
Mysterious pyramids
St. Augustine National Cemetery
Oliviajane - Interesting blend of genres. Nice twist and a good mystery. A refreshing change from the usual run of the mill mystery. Students will definitely enjoy it.
Kathleen - Fascinating new story based in my favorite city
Proud Educator - The characters show what a real friendship is and help each other through dangerous situations. I can definitely recommend this book to a teenager or young adult.
ForeverRead - Very engaging and well written. I would HIGHLY recommend this novel to my students and colleagues.
Bruce - It was a good story on emotions and fear making people do and think in ways that are not logical to others.
TeacherAmy - As an eighth grade teacher for over 15 years, I feel that teenagers from all backgrounds would identify with the main characters and be held captive by the adventures of Jeff and Carla. I am passing the book on to my 76-year old mother, who I think will enjoy the read, as well!
Justin - I am a middle school teacher in Florida who teaches local history. I loved the book. I had a few students read the book and they all loved it. This book is a must own for any history lover, Florida resident, teacher, or parent looking for a way to get their kids to read.
Nancy - Being a middle school reading teacher, I can see my students LOVING this book with its great paranormal twist-fits right in with today’s paranormal fascination.
Patti - Doug Dillon does a great job drawing the reader into the story, and I found it hard to put the book down. Once finished, I passed it on to my 15 year old boy who read it in 2 days. As native Floridians, we both appreciated the book for its historical accuracy, as well as its depiction of diverse cultures. We’re both awaiting the other books in the trilogy and enthusiastically recommend this title.
Steve - Read this book and passed it on to any adolescents that you think might need to see that life holds a great deal more mystery, adventure, joy and healing than can be imagined.
Hopkins, age 13 - Dillon keeps you glued to each page until they reach the startling conclusion.
Matanzas Bay looking towards downtown
St. Augustine, Florida
Chuck - I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sliding Beneath the Surface and expect the book will be a best seller.
Diane -The suspense lasts up to the very end and I had a hard time putting it down.
Kristy - Dillon’s writing style is brilliant.
Laura - The characters are great and ready to jump into helping each other. Check this one out if you can.
Kelly - One of the most engrossing parts of the story is the setting, St. Augustine, Florida. The history of the city is expertly woven into the plot, making me learn about a city that I had never given much thought to before.
Thomas - Even though this book was written for young adults I would strongly recommend it to all ages.
Lori - Can’t wait for the next book.
Kitty - It was suspenseful and at times, funny.
Christine - I can say that this is an enlightening book about being able to change our path by changing ourselves.
Mallory - This novel elicits a giant “Wow” from me – author Doug Dillon is one incredible storyteller.
Paul - As I continued on through the book a few chapters, I found that this had become one of my favorites.
Danielle - This is a refreshingly different storyline the author presents.
Kayla - I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next and before I knew it, I was done with the book. Kudos.
Nicole - Who wouldn’t love a book with a history lesson, ghosts, supernatural powers and slipping into different worlds?
Links for TeachersReading Motivation That Worked
The first time this book was used in a Florida high school reading program.
A Book Series for the Reading Classroom
The multiple themes and threads that make the series of value.
The St. Augustine Trilogy and America’s Oldest City
The setting for the series in St. Augustine, Florida and how that provides a fascinating backdrop for action.
The St. Augustine Trilogy & Historic Events
Specifies the actual historic events that happened in America’s oldest city that are woven into the series.
October 5, 2013
Young Adult Paranormal Series
The St. Augustine Trilogy - a series of terrifying ghosts stories that go way beyond reality as we know it. These weird tales follow fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden in contemporary St. Augustine, Florida as he encounters increasing paranormal forces that threaten to overwhelm him and even eventually destroy the city where he lives. Accompanied by his girlfriend Carla and Lobo, the Native American shaman, Jeff struggles to understand what is happening to him on his incredible coming of age journey.
Each book focuses on St. Augustine almost as if it is a character unto its own. Annual public activities in that old city provide colorful backgrounds as the characters find themselves actually immersed in major historical events of days gone by.
Sliding Beneath the Surface (Book I)
Click here to see the reviews for this book online.
A new resident of America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida, fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden suddenly finds himself up to his eyeballs in frightening paranormal experiences. At the end of his ropein trying to figure out what is happening to him, Jeff decides to rely on his girlfriend Carla Rodriguez, and Lobo, an old Native American shaman, for help.
Despite this guidance, things get even worse. Jeff’s spine-tingling encounters increase in number and intensity at an alarming rate, scaring him even more. Eventually, he makes the startling discovery that unresolved circumstances involving a bloody event directly out of Florida’s distant past threatens his sanity and possibly his life.
Overwhelmed by forces he cannot understand or control, Jeff’s world radically shifts again from frightening to downright terrifying. In desperation, and on Lobo’s advice, he leaps headlong into the unknown in order to save himself. What Jeff discovers though is that he has entered a level of reality he is completely unprepared to handle while unwittingly dragging Carla with him.
Like all the books in THE ST. AUGUSTINE TRILOGY, the premise for Sliding Beneath the Surface is simply this: You create your own reality.
Click here to see the book trailer.
Click here to see how this book is being used in school reading programs for student motivation and the development of comprehension skills.
Stepping off a Cliff (Book II)
As if grieving the loss of a close family member wasn’t tough enough for teenager Jeff Golden, life slams him hard once more. Swept up by terrifying paranormal activity, both he and his girlfriend, Carla Rodriguez, cling to each other for dear life. Along with Lobo, the old Native American shaman, and Lyle, a homeless guy, both young people find themselves desperately struggling to protect others in their hometown of St. Augustine, Florida. Quickly, Jeff and Carla must learn how to use their own unique paranormal abilities effectively or become part of an incredible disaster.
(This book will be available in November of 2013)
Targeting Orion’s Children (Book III)
In this, the final book of The St. Augustine Trilogy, the team of Jeff Golden, Carla Rodriguez, old Lobo, the Native American shaman and Lyle, the homeless guy, gather once again to join forces. This time, though, the two teens face a paranormal presence that defies full human understanding and becomes a threat far beyond the oldest city in America where they live. Overwhelmed by the immense responsibility they hold in their hands, Jeff and Carla make a jaw-dropping discovery that leads them in directions they could never before have imagined.
(This book will be available in early 2015)
Doug Dillon’s Actual Paranormal Adventure
Click here to find online.
Written by Doug and his wife Barbara, this book is a true life account of their family’s plunge into the paranormal. Join the Dillons as they experience startling phenomena, communicate with a nonphysical entity they call The Source and explore the very nature of reality. Readers say this unforgettable leap into the unknown is a welcome road map for those on similar quests.
October 1, 2013
A Book Series for the Reading Classroom
Motivating students to read and sharpening their comprehension skills isn’t an easy job for reading and language arts teachers. That’s why I’ve been so gratified to see a trend by some fellow educators in using my book series, The St. Augustine Trilogy, in their classrooms.
Kathy Snyder, the first reading teacher to use Book I of the trilogy in her classroom with all of her students
Recently, I was astounded to see how well Book I of the trilogy was being used in a reading program at a high school near where I live in Central Florida. I actually spent the day there with that teacher and all of her students after they read the book. These were kids who all failed the state reading exam. What a great time I had. If you want to see the specifics on that particular project and my visit, you’ll find a link to further information at the end of this post.
Since I find myself increasingly in touch with middle and high school teachers about using the trilogy in their classrooms, I decided to write this post to provide further details that might be of interest to a 
wide spectrum of educators. And to be perfectly honest, this method of communication affords me the opportunity to make sure I’ve covered all the multilayered aspects I’ve woven into all three books.
There are some useful links listed at the bottom of this article but rest assured that I welcome any questions about what I have presented here. Just go to the Contact section of this website and send me an email.
Trilogy DescriptionTold in his own words, this paranormal/historical series is a very personal account of fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden’s explosive coming of age in America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida. Join Jeff and his girlfriend Carla as they experience mind-blowing events that threaten to destroy their very existence. Follow the two teens as Lobo, the Native American shaman, tries to protect them from powerful forces beyond understanding. Be there when Jeff and Carla discover the depths of reality as well as their own powers to reshape what they find.
Jeff
Important Aspects of This Series
These three books:
• Are full of excitement, mystery and suspense
• Surprise readers with lots of unexpected twists and turns
• Use the paranormal and soft science fiction to stimulate interest and to develop within readers a sense of wonder about the nature of existence
• Present interesting chapter titles in the fore matter of the book to stimulate student interest in reading further.
• Are told in the first person by the primary character, Jeff Golden, in order to give readers an intimate sense of being part of the action
• Have a limited cast of major characters who become a team, thus allowing readers to more closely identify with them
Carla
• Contain a key female supporting character, Carla, Jeff’s girlfriend. This inclusion makes certain that the series appeals to both boys and girls and it provides a mild romantic relationship. There is no graphic sex described and no indirect references to such.
• Have a little mild but occasional swearing in them, mostly by Jeff. But this inclusion is done for two purposes. One is to provide a sense of real life conversation. The other is to look at the nature of cursing by it being a topic of debate between Jeff and Carla.
• Quickly allow readers, especially boys, to identify with Jeff because of his dysfunctional family background and the turmoil he exhibits as he faces very dangerous situations.
• Quickly allow readers, especially girls, to identify with Carla because of her intelligence, abilities, feistiness and strength of character no matter what she has to face.
Lobo, the Native American Shaman
• Offer a multicultural approach. Jeff is white, Carla is African American and Hispanic, and Lobo, the mysterious shaman is Native American (the 4 major ethnic groups that built St. Augustine over time).
• Takes at look at homelessness and it causes through Lyle the Homeless Guy, a major character in Books II and III.
Lyle the homeless guy
• Clearly expresses the trilogy’s premise that “You create your own reality.” This allows for tracking of character growth over time, especially for Jeff, who has a tendency towards blaming everyone and every hard knock he receives as the causes for his unhappiness.
• Leads readers towards examining their own decision-making abilities as Jeff and Carla face some extraordinary choices.
• Gets readers to consider their responsibilities for others as Jeff and Carla find that the decisions they make go way beyond themselves.
• Helps to stimulate student interest in the past through the fictionalization of actual events straight out St. Augustine, Florida and U.S. history. At the end of each book, Author Notes give readers a quick glimpse of the truth behind some of the events depicted.
• Gives students a vivid sense of place by using St. Augustine, Florida as the setting. Since that city is the oldest and most haunted in the United States, the portrayal options are infinite.
Constitution Plaza during the Nights of Lights Festival
• Put readers right in the middle of current day St. Augustine events such as The Spanish Night Watch Parade, The Blessing of the Fleet, The Nights of Lights, 4th of July celebration.
OK, there you have it. Below, as promised, are some links other informational blog posts that you might find useful:
Click here for the details on the first high school reading program to use a class set of books in the classroom.
Click here to see the historic events featured in each book.
Click here to see some of the St. Augustine locations featured in the trilogy.
Click here for more information about Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface.
Click here to see review of Book I on Amazon.com.
Click here for more information about Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff.
Click here for more information about Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children.
Teen Fiction and America’s Oldest City
The St. Augustine Trilogy – Young Adult series – paranormal & historical – reading classroom use.
These books make the most out the location in the United States to place readers in the most interesting and vivid setting possible. St. Augustine, as America’s oldest and most haunted city, fits this description perfectly. Listed below are the specific sites in the city and nearby areas portrayed in the plots of each book.
The Castillo de San Marcos
This posting is intended mostly for secondary level reading and language arts teachers who are using, or are considering using, The St. Augustine Trilogy in their classrooms. At the end of the article are helpful links to point those teachers in additional directions.
Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface
• The old Spanish fort, the Castillo de San Marcos
• The Abbot Tract neighborhood
The St. Augustine Cathedral Basilica
• The St. Augustine Cathedral
• The Bridge of Lions
• Florida’s National Guard Headquarters
• The St. Augustine National Cemetery
• The historic Seminole Wars pyramids in the St. Augustine National Cemetery
• The Athena Restaurant
• Constitution Plaza
• St. George Street
• Matanzas Bay
• Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum
• The St. John’s County Public Library
• The Santa Maria Restaurant
• The City Gate
Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff
• The Vilano Beach Bridge
• Potter’s Wax Museum
• Flagler College ( The former Ponce de Leon Hotel)
• St. Augustine City Hall and the Lightner Museum (The former Hotel Alcazar)
The Bridge of Lions at night
• The St. Augustine Historical Society’s Research Library
• San Marco Avenue and its stores
• Matanzas Bay and the Matanzas River
• The St. Augustine Inlet
• The Castillo de San Marcos
• Government House
The Civil Rights memorial in Constitution Plaza
• Maria Sanchez Creek and Lake
Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children
• The St. Augustine Lighthouse
• The Castillo de San Marcos
• Gypsy Cab Company Restaurant
• The Civil Rights memorial in Constitution Plaza
• Matanzas Bay and the Matanzas River
• The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
• Fort Mose Park (location of the former African American fort)
• The Oldest House Museum
• St. George Street
• The City Gate
• The old city fortifications beyond the Castillo
King Street from Flagler College
• The Atlantic Ocean freshwater boil near Crescent Beach, Florida
OK, there you have it. Below, as promised, are some links other informational blog posts that you might find useful:
Click here for “A Book Series for the Reading Classroom.”
The St. Augustine lighthouse
Click here for the details on the first high school reading program to use a class set of books in the classroom.
Click here to see the historic events featured in each book.
Click here for more information about Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface.
Matanzas Bay looking towards downtown St. Augustine from the Castillo
Click here to see review of Book I on Amazon.com.
Click here for more information about Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff.
Click here for more information about Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children.
The St. Augustine Trilogy and America’s Oldest City
The St. Augustine Trilogy for young adults uses the location of St. Augustine, Florida to place readers in the most interesting and vivid setting possible. St. Augustine, as America’s oldest and most haunted city, fits this description perfectly. Listed below are the specific sites in the city and nearby areas portrayed in the plots of each book.
The Castillo de San Marcos
This posting is mostly intended for secondary level reading and language arts teachers who are using, or are considering using, The St. Augustine Trilogy in their classrooms. At the end of the article are helpful links to point those teachers in additional directions.
Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface
• The old Spanish fort, the Castillo de San Marcos
• The Abbot Tract neighborhood
The St. Augustine Cathedral Basilica
• The St. Augustine Cathedral
• The Bridge of Lions
• Florida’s National Guard Headquarters
• The St. Augustine National Cemetery
• The historic Seminole Wars pyramids in the St. Augustine National Cemetery
• The Athena Restaurant
• Constitution Plaza
• St. George Street
• Matanzas Bay
• Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum
• The St. John’s County Public Library
• The Santa Maria Restaurant
• The City Gate
Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff
• The Vilano Beach Bridge
• Potter’s Wax Museum
• Flagler College ( The former Ponce de Leon Hotel)
• St. Augustine City Hall and the Lightner Museum (The former Hotel Alcazar)
The Bridge of Lions at night
• The St. Augustine Historical Society’s Research Library
• San Marco Avenue and its stores
• Matanzas Bay and the Matanzas River
• The St. Augustine Inlet
• The Castillo de San Marcos
• Government House
The Civil Rights memorial in Constitution Plaza
• Maria Sanchez Creek and Lake
Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children
• The St. Augustine Lighthouse
• The Castillo de San Marcos
• Gypsy Cab Company Restaurant
• The Civil Rights memorial in Constitution Plaza
• Matanzas Bay and the Matanzas River
• The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
• Fort Mose Park (location of the former African American fort)
• The Oldest House Museum
• St. George Street
• The City Gate
• The old city fortifications beyond the Castillo
King Street from Flagler College
• The Atlantic Ocean freshwater boil near Crescent Beach, Florida
OK, there you have it. Below, as promised, are some links other informational blog posts that you might find useful:
Click here for “A Book Series for the Reading Classroom.”
The St. Augustine lighthouse
Click here for the details on the first high school reading program to use a class set of books in the classroom.
Click here to see the historic events featured in each book.
Click here for more information about Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface.
Matanzas Bay looking towards downtown St. Augustine from the Castillo
Click here to see review of Book I on Amazon.com.
Click here for more information about Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff.
Click here for more information about Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children.
St. Augustine, Florida’s Historic Events & Teen Fiction
The St. Augustine Trilogy - Young Adult series – paranormal & historical – reading classroom use.
These books fictionalize, but accurately represents, events that happened in America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida. These events are listed below under the name of each book.
This posting is mostly intended for secondary level reading and language arts teachers who are using, or are considering using, The St. Augustine Trilogy in their classrooms. At the end of the article are helpful links to point those teachers in additional directions.
Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface• The expulsion of the Seminoles from Florida by the United States government
• Slavery in Florida.
• The re-enslavement of the Seminole black allies after the Native America expulsion
• The Second Seminole War in Florida (1835-1842)
• The Dade battle that began the Second Seminole War, the worst defeat of the U.S. Army by a Native America population before Custer.
• The imprisonment of Seminole leaders in St. Augustine’s old Spanish fort, the Castillo de San Marcos
• Race relations in St. Augustine in 1964
Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff• The rounding up of Native American resistance leaders in the U.S. during the 1870s and 1880s
• The imprisonment of rounded up Native American resistance leaders in St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos
• The great William Wing Loring funeral of 1887 in St. Augustine where hundreds of uniformed Civil War veterans marched arm-in-arm, from both the North and the South
• Henry Flagler and the building of his beautiful hotels in St. Augustine
• The Florida earthquakes of 1879 and 1886
• St. Augustine in 1885
• The St. Augustine monster (yes, there really was one)
Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children• The now extinct Native American populations of St. Augustine and Florida before the arrival of the Spanish
• The Spanish conquest of Florida
• The use of Native American and slave labor by the Spanish in St. Augustine to build the Castillo de San Marcos
• The near execution of a suspected pirate in early St. Augustine
• The English siege of St. Augustine in 1702
• The destruction of the old Spanish lighthouse in St. Augustine
• The vandalism of the newer St. Augustine lighthouse
Reenactment of the Dade Battle that triggered the Second Seminole War
• The placing of a Civil Rights memorial in St. Augustine’s Constitution Plaza
• The African American fort, Fort Mose, and it free inhabitants who protected the city of St. Augustine
Links for Further Information on Using the Trilogy in the Classroom
Click here for “A Book Series for the Reading Classroom.”
Reenactment of the slave Luis Pacheco guiding U.S. soldiers through Seminole territory
Click here for the details on the first high school reading program to use a class set of books in the classroom.
Click here to see some of the St. Augustine locations featured in the trilogy.
Pirate reenactors parade through downtown St. Augustine
Click here for more information about Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface.
Click here to see review of Book I on Amazon.com.
The remains of the the 7 ton St. Augustine Monster discovered on St. Augustine Beach in 1896
Click here for more information about Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff.
Click here for more information about Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children.
The St. Augustine Trilogy and Historic Events
The St. Augustine Trilogy for young adults fictionalizes, but accurately represents, events that happened in America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida. These events are listed below under the name of each book.
This posting is mostly intended for secondary level reading and language arts teachers who are using, or are considering using, The St. Augustine Trilogy in their classrooms. At the end of the article are helpful links to point those teachers in additional directions.
Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface• The expulsion of the Seminoles from Florida by the United States government
• Slavery in Florida.
• The re-enslavement of the Seminole black allies after the Native America expulsion
• The Second Seminole War in Florida (1835-1842)
• The Dade battle that began the Second Seminole War, the worst defeat of the U.S. Army by a Native America population before Custer.
• The imprisonment of Seminole leaders in St. Augustine’s old Spanish fort, the Castillo de San Marcos
• Race relations in St. Augustine in 1964
Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff• The rounding up of Native American resistance leaders in the U.S. during the 1870s and 1880s
• The imprisonment of rounded up Native American resistance leaders in St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos
• The great William Wing Loring funeral of 1887 in St. Augustine where hundreds of uniformed Civil War veterans marched arm-in-arm, from both the North and the South
• Henry Flagler and the building of his beautiful hotels in St. Augustine
• The Florida earthquakes of 1879 and 1886
• St. Augustine in 1885
• The St. Augustine monster (yes, there really was one)
Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children• The now extinct Native American populations of St. Augustine and Florida before the arrival of the Spanish
• The Spanish conquest of Florida
• The use of Native American and slave labor by the Spanish in St. Augustine to build the Castillo de San Marcos
• The near execution of a suspected pirate in early St. Augustine
• The English siege of St. Augustine in 1702
• The destruction of the old Spanish lighthouse in St. Augustine
• The vandalism of the newer St. Augustine lighthouse
Reenactment of the Dade Battle that triggered the Second Seminole War
• The placing of a Civil Rights memorial in St. Augustine’s Constitution Plaza
• The African American fort, Fort Mose, and it free inhabitants who protected the city of St. Augustine
Links for Further Information on Using the Trilogy in the Classroom
Click here for “A Book Series for the Reading Classroom.”
Reenactment of the slave Luis Pacheco guiding U.S. soldiers through Seminole territory
Click here for the details on the first high school reading program to use a class set of books in the classroom.
Click here to see some of the St. Augustine locations featured in the trilogy.
Pirate reenactors parade through downtown St. Augustine
Click here for more information about Book I, Sliding Beneath the Surface.
Click here to see review of Book I on Amazon.com.
The remains of the the 7 ton St. Augustine Monster discovered on St. Augustine Beach in 1896
Click here for more information about Book II, Stepping Off a Cliff.
Click here for more information about Book III, Targeting Orion’s Children.
