As the middle child in his family, Matthew Vos struggles in the middle of trouble on all sides. He shares a room with an annoying younger brother and dodges the harassment of an obnoxious older brother. A big-as-a-bear neighborhood dog targets him like a heat-seeking missile. His Cadet Club crams into the church's too-small basement, and his catechism class meets in his living room. He longs to attend the Cadet International Camporee, but will he even get the chance? How can he rescue his mom's book from the principal's "Black Hole"? And why does Mom feel so sick all the time? Join Matthew,...

Matthew Vos doesn't like feeling afraid. He wants to be brave, but discovers that being a hero isn't at all what he'd imagined. Will his dream to attend the Cadet International Camporee ever come true? And what's up with that crabby new girl in town? Join Matthew as he makes strides in facing fears and forging friendships.
"Glenda Faye Mathes effectively portrays the trauma, excitement, and relief of events associated with great danger and courage. Her narrative is rich in imagery, momentum, and emotion with humor to lighten intensity. I applaud her for taking up topics of fear, loss,...

After three long years of waiting, Matthew Vos is finally going to the Cadet International Camporee He's earning money to buy supplies, but the lawnmower slips from his grip and cuts through a customer's garden. Matthew's hopes wither like the sheared-off plant tops. What more could possibly go wrong? And will the Camporee turn out to be all he's imagined?
"I love this kid. Of course, I love Matt's fondness for The Accidental Detectives books, but I also love his humorous voice, active imagination, and fledgling faith. Glenda Faye Mathes crafts vivid scenes and authentic dialogue that...