• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

"Be prepared to learn a lot about the culture while you follow Amanda on her adventure.”—Laura Best, author, Bitter, Sweet

“What a great way for a young person to learn about a culture and to be inspired to experience other countries themselves."—Irene Butler, author, Trekking the Globe with Mostly Gentle Footsteps

Amanda receives a postcard from her best friend, Leah, and is surprised to learn that she is in Malta with her aunt. Reading between the lines, she senses Leah is in trouble. Desperate to help her, Amanda travels to Malta with her classmate Caleb and his parents.

Amanda is intrigued by this exotic island in the middle of the Mediterranean, full of colourful history, sun-drenched limestone fortresses, stunning beaches and fascinating birds. But…who is killing the protected birds? Who stole a priceless artifact from the museum? And why is Leah acting so strange? She couldn’t possibly be involved in these illegal activities, or could she?

Join Amanda and her friends as they visit ancient temples, an exciting falconry and the enchanting Popeye Village, as they try to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Sleeping Lady.

Be sure to read all the books in this exciting Amanda Travels series!
1. Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask
2. Amanda in Spain: The Girl in the Painting
3. Amanda in England: The Missing Novel
4. Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone
5. Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music
6. Amanda in New Mexico: Ghosts in the Wind
7. Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action
8. Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady

Brought up on a ranch in southern Alberta, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, travelling the world and meeting interesting people. She also believes everyone is capable of making their dreams come true. It's no surprise that she's now an award-winning author of the children's Amanda Travels Adventure series, and divides her time between the west coast of Canada and Orihuela Costa, in Spain.

Darlene Foster's profile page

"Middle-grade readers will be drawn in by the action, pulled forward by the mystery, and absorbed by the colourful backdrop of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean." —Wendy Phillips, Author of Baggage and Fishtailing and Winner of the Governor General's Award

“I had to smile as page after page the essence of the country is superbly captured through Amanda’s eyes.” —Irene Butler, author and travel writer

“Fans of the ‘Amanda Travels’ books will likely enjoy themselves as they explore a piece of the Southwestern United States.” —School Library Journal (Amanda in New Mexico)

"A missing friend, a mysterious boy . . . Amanda’s holiday on the island of Malta takes you on a fast-paced adventure through ancient forts and fishing villages, sea caves and spooky castles. A real page-turner!" —Ruth Larea, Author of Fragments of a Dream

"I love how the author mixes creativity, imagination and cultural appreciation in her writing – for minds of all ages!" —John Rieber, Reader, blogger and entertainment reporter

“Adventure, mystery and friendship—I loved learning about Holland through the eyes of Amanda and Leah!” —Alex Lyttle, Author of The Rise of Winter and From Ant to Eagle (Amanda in Holland)

“The story is told in a conversational voice that will draw all readers in and deftly mixes the cultural details with how Amanda engages in and solves the mystery.” —Jacqui Murray, author of Born in a Treacherous Time