Rebel Diamonds - Phineas in Sierra Leone

Phineas is bummed. It's her twelfth birthday, and, for the first time in her life, Grandpa Clooney can't make it. He did, however, send a mysterious box with explicit instructions NOT to open it until her two best friends are present. Phineas calls, fellow Explorers, Jeff and Katie and together they unwrap the technological magic of the transmodulation device -- a handheld computer with the ability to modulate (or transport) the children to around the globe.

Phineas discovers that her candy-making Grandfather is actually a spy for the US Government and he wants Phineas and her friends to join him for a trip to a Sierra Leone diamond mine to rescue a young girl. The surprises keep coming when Phineas learns she can modem herself to Africa and back again. The only problem is - the handheld computer the modem is attached to gets stolen and Phineas and her friends find themselves stranded -- in a rebel occupied country in Africa.

The adventure begins as these young explorers set out to save the world - one child at a time. Their goal - to assemble a team of children from every country, culture and/or tribe in the world -- and form a coalition to help bring understanding, tolerance and peace to the world.

Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti is a middle school math teacher who resides in California with her husband and two stepdaughters. With a MS in Psychology and an MS in Educational Technology she spends much of her spare time developing curriculum and software to aid challenged students. She plans to open a learning center in late 2003 -- but will not give up teaching. Elizabeth also enjoys gold, swimming and relaxing with bother her immediate and extended families.