• 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 Ross is on a school trip to Taos, New Mexico with several of her fellow creative students. She shares a room with Cleo, an anxious classmate who insists she sees ghosts. Although Amanda is determined to prove there is no such thing, she can’t seem to shake the feeling that something or someone is watching her.
Join Amanda, Cleo and their funny friend, Caleb, as they visit a rugged and beautiful landscape where a traditional hacienda, an ancient pueblo, and a haunted and spooky hotel all hold secrets to a wild and violent past.
Does Cleo really see ghosts? Can Amanda escape the eerie wind that follows her everywhere? Perhaps The Day of the Dead will reveal the mysteries of Taos in this latest adventure of Amanda’s travels.
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

"Amanda in New Mexico is a story rich in interesting historical detail woven in seamlessly with current relevant dilemmas." —Sheila MacArthur

“Foster’s writing is conversational and easy to read, and young readers will likely find the pages flying by.” —Quill & Quire

"Young readers will have great fun travelling alongside Amanda Ross as she cruises down the Danube by riverboat, revelling in the picturesque landscape and captivating cities along the way. This novel is chock-full of social and cultural history that will leave adventurers longing to explore this part of Europe for themselves. Thanks to a mysterious boy who entrusts Amanda with a timeworn violin, this fast-paced mystery will keep readers guessing until the very last chapter." —Jan L. Coates, Children’s Author, Governor General’s Literary Awards 

"Fans of the 'Amanda Travels' books will likely enjoy themselves as they explore a piece of the Southwestern United States." —Martha Rico, School Library Journal

"Fast-paced, spooky, and enough cultural reference to delight both readers and parents.” —Alex Lyttle, author, From Ant to Eagle

"Darlene Foster’s latest title, Amanda on the Danube, is a fun and engaging read. Set in different European cities, Amanda and her best friend Leah travel on a cruise ship along the Danube with adventure hot on their heels. A mysterious violin case, two boys and other intriguing characters among ancient castles make this a page turning adventure for young readers.” —Margriet Ruurs, Author of My Librarian is a Camel

"Join Amanda, Cleo and Caleb on a field trip as they visit an ancient landscape where a traditional hacienda, an ancient pueblo, and a haunted hotel all hold secrets to a wild and violent past. Fun and educational! (Ages 9-12)" —Diana Perry, Midwest Book Review

"A charming and fast-paced story that will delight its young audience as Amanda and Leah travel along the historic Danube River to deliver a very unique and mysterious violin." —Suzanne de Montigny, Award-winning author, Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy