Curse of the Coins
Who knew that nuns lived such exciting lives? When Riley learned that he and his little sister, Delaney, would be spending their summer with their aunt Sister Philomena at a convent in Grottaferrata, Italy, excitement was the last thing he would have predicted. What the children didn t know is that their aunt, who is actually a secret agent for the pope, would take them along as she solved mysteries making this the most thrilling summer of their lives. The latest mystery in the Adventures With Sister Philomena, Special Agent to the Pope series is Curse of the Coins (Aunt Dee s Attic. $12.95). Curse of the Coins, written by Dianne Ahern and illustrated by Bill Shurtliff, is the third book in the series, although they need not be read sequentially. The adventure begins when Franciscan monks in Jerusalem find the 30 pieces of silver that Judas was paid for betraying Jesus. The coins are sent to the Vatican Museums for authentication and safekeeping, but mysteriously disappear! The sly thief hides clues and riddles throughout Rome that send Sister Philomena, Riley and Delaney on a treasure hunt through the ancient city to recover the coins.Following the clues, the threesome and the reader uncover sacred relics and great basilicas in Italy. Among the stops are the Sistine Chapel, Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Church of Saint Peter in Chains, Scala Santa, and Basilica Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. Not only is the reader given detailed descriptions of the locations, but also learns about their history and significance to the Catholic faith. The beautiful illustrations transport the reader to Italy, and the text provides information about its customs and atmosphere. The glossary of Italian-to-English words and phrases encourages the child s curiosity, while also teaching adults a thing or two. --Aunt Dee's AtticDon t fear gentle reader, the adventures of Sister Philomena are far from over! Author Dianne Ahern has written a third action-adventure for children titled Curse of the Coins. In it the self-proclaimed special agent to the pope, along with her niece and nephew are on the trail to discover what happened to the 30 pieces of silver that Judas was paid to betray Jesus. The book, published by Aunt Dee s Attic, is part of a series designed to not only entertain children, but help them learn about their faith and Church history. Previous titles featuring the sister sleuth include Lost in Peter s Tomb and Break-in at the Basilica.   I want these stories to be entertaining and informative, but something they can also build on and grow with, she said by telephone from her home in Ann Arbor, Mich. For all the cloak and dagger excitement the characters experience in Curse of the Coins, the reader comes away with more than a good adventure. They learn about the Sistine Chapel, the Passion of Christ, the lifestyles of ancient Romans, and the art and architecture of Vatican City. Ahern said that turning to writing after years of working as a hospital management consultant came as the result of a trip to Rome in 1999. There, in the middle of a throng of pilgrims, she met Pope John Paul II and kissed his ring. Calling the meeting a life-changing experience she began to think about what else she could be doing with her life.  I was saying my prayers one day when the idea came into my head to write books for children, she said. I thought about holiday books or travel books, but nothing seemed right. Then the voice inside me said that I should begin with the sacraments.  Beginning in 2000, Ahern wrote a series of books about baptism, reconciliation, Communion and a Catholic perspective on death called Someone I Loved Passed Away. All were well received, but the author wanted to try something in the realm of fiction. Eventually, Ahern landed on the idea of action-adventure books for children with an emphasis on faith. Basing the character loosely on a nun she knew from Rome, Ahern came up with the person of Sister Philomena, special agent to the pope. And just why does the pope need a special agent?  Well sometimes you don t want everyone to know what s going on, Ahern said with a laugh. In the first book, Lost in Peter s Tomb, some artifacts were missing. When that kind of thing happens you just want them found without broadcasting the fact. That s what Sister Philomena does.  In 2003, the publishing company Aunt Dee s Attic was incorporated and today publishes books on the sacraments, marriage and picture books, all of which can be ordered online at or by calling 800-352-6797. Ahern said that a fourth Sister Philomena book is in the works, Secrets of Siena, which takes place in Italy and France. She added that there are a few more story ideas drifting out there for future adventures.  After all, she said, you never know when you ll need a special agent. --Denver Catholic Register, Sept 17, 2008, John Gleason