Reviews of Dino Diane's Adventures Series...

Read what middle-school students say about the books by D. J. Kristoff, educator, adventurer, and naturalist.

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    The Secrets of the Five Rays of Light is a great book for all ages. This book pushed my imagination. It’s so detailed and interesting. Once you read this adventurous book you can’t stop.

    Jessica B.
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    Well-rounded characters and storyline add up to an amazing and exciting story. People will be waiting for the next installment and it will become the new Harry Potter.

    Jayden U.
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    This book is really good. You can learn a lot of fascinating things. It has scenes that really happened to her in her life and the people she met.

    Alisea D.
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    This book, ‘The Secrets of the Five Rays of Light,’ is a really fun book. It is full of adventure. It is also full of scientific facts.

    Whittney M.
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    An exciting story our science teacher wrote introduces, Dino Diane, an interesting character, based on her own life story. This story is so intriguing so dear to this creative teacher, she has added her own life into it and her students. If you want an amazing book that will keep you in your room for years reading, this book is for you.

    Tri G.
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    The book – ‘Saddlebags of Gold,’ is a very interesting book. It has thrills and laughs. I think you should check it out.

    Kiya H.
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    This book is extremely interesting, fascinating, and brings lots of details. Let’s others use their imagination.

    Ava T.
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    This book is very exciting and interesting. It has lots of adventure. It gives me good vibe.

    Mya B.
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    In this interesting, adventurous story, you feel the love and emotions put into it to make it as wonderful as it is. Recommend 100%!

    Gabby A.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

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    Well-rounded characters and storyline add up to an amazing and exciting story. People will be waiting for the next installment and it will become the new Harry Potter.

    Jayden U.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

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    This book is really good. You can learn a lot of fascinating things. It has scenes that really happened to her in her life and the people she met.

    Alisea D.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    This book, ‘The Secrets of the Five Rays of Light,’ is a really fun book. It is full of adventure. It is also full of scientific facts.

    Whittney M.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    An exciting story our science teacher wrote introduces, Dino Diane, an interesting character, based on her own life story. This story is so intriguing so dear to this creative teacher, she has added her own life into it and her students. If you want an amazing book that will keep you in your room for years reading, this book is for you.

    Tri G.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    The book – ‘Saddlebags of Gold,’ is a very interesting book. It has thrills and laughs. I think you should check it out.

    Kiya H.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    This book is extremely interesting, fascinating, and brings lots of details. Let’s others use their imagination.

    Ava T.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    This book is very exciting and interesting. It has lots of adventure. It gives me good vibe.

    Mya B.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    In this interesting, adventurous story, you feel the love and emotions put into it to make it as wonderful as it is. Recommend 100%!

    Gabby A.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    The Secrets of the Five Rays of Light is a great book for all ages. This book pushed my imagination. It’s so detailed and interesting. Once you read this adventurous book you can’t stop.

    Jessica B.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    This book is really good. You can learn a lot of fascinating things. It has scenes that really happened to her in her life and the people she met.

    Alisea D.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    This book, ‘The Secrets of the Five Rays of Light,’ is a really fun book. It is full of adventure. It is also full of scientific facts.

    Whittney M.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    An exciting story our science teacher wrote introduces, Dino Diane, an interesting character, based on her own life story. This story is so intriguing so dear to this creative teacher, she has added her own life into it and her students. If you want an amazing book that will keep you in your room for years reading, this book is for you.

    Tri G.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    The book – ‘Saddlebags of Gold,’ is a very interesting book. It has thrills and laughs. I think you should check it out.

    Kiya H.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    This book is extremely interesting, fascinating, and brings lots of details. Let’s others use their imagination.

    Ava T.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    This book is very exciting and interesting. It has lots of adventure. It gives me good vibe.

    Mya B.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    In this interesting, adventurous story, you feel the love and emotions put into it to make it as wonderful as it is. Recommend 100%!

    Gabby A.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    The Secrets of the Five Rays of Light is a great book for all ages. This book pushed my imagination. It’s so detailed and interesting. Once you read this adventurous book you can’t stop.

    Jessica B.
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    Well-rounded characters and storyline add up to an amazing and exciting story. People will be waiting for the next installment and it will become the new Harry Potter.

    Jayden U.

Books by D. J. Kristoff

Best Middle-Grade Books About Adventure - Saddlebags of Gold

A book called saddlebags of gold by dj kristoff

In 1893, DIANE, a courageous twelve-year-old, and her younger brother, BENJI,  find themselves thrust into the adventure of a lifetime in the old Wild West. 

        HARRY POTTER meets INDIANA JONES meets JURASSIC PARK!


Sprinkled with real science and history, dusted with magic, and wagon loads of courageous heart.

Raised in Chicago, Diane and Benji board a steam train to live with their grandparents in Arizona. On the train, Diane encounters a mysterious woman who teaches her about kindness then vanishes into thin air, leaving behind a secret message for Diane.


When the train breaks down in Durango, they meet LEE PLANCHET, the woods-wise daughter of a trapper. Together, the three new friends overhear a plot by the mischievous THORN BROTHERS to retrieve saddlebags of gold nuggets hidden in the San Juan Mountains. The gold is up for grabs, so they set off on a daring adventure to find the gold first.


You’ll love NIKI, the baby raccoon hiding in Lee’s Davy Crockett cap.


And, you’ll thrill at the wild, treacherous runaway cart ride through the abandoned gold mine, finally rescued by ADDIE, a peculiar girl who possesses a special gift.


Near a haunted cliff dwelling, Diane meets ASAZI, and the spiritual leader of his village, ZA-THA, both seem to know a lot more than they’re telling.

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The Secrets of the Five Rays of Light - Next in the Series of the Best Adventure Books for Young People!

I fell in love with the adventure, the chase of the gold, and the characters in the first book. I didn’t know you could get so much out of the second book. Just as the author says, the value of the “Secrets” is SO much more valuable than gold. These values are ones that even I, as a 33 year-old can use to appreciate my life more and find joy.  I loved this book so much and recommend it to anyone!   ~ Faye S. 


Best book I’ve ever read. Fun and scientific! I can now enjoy reading and learning all at once.   ~ Jaden C. (sixth-grader)


Wait until you meet Sa’ami, the giant black bear that Benji rides on his bristling back! His hilarious antics will make you laugh out loud!


You’ll be in awe in the Cave of Ages as you float along on a log in the mysterious underground river channel and come face to face with a living, breathing dinosaur!


In this heart-felt series about magic, science, and adventure, the five young adventurers come through each “Secret” changed in a profound way.


 They learn valuable life lessons, forge forever friendships, and learn more about respecting the earth and each other, as they finally discover what the Conquistadors, explorers, and treasure hunters have searched for hundreds of years before them.

A book called the secrets of the pivh rays of light by dj kristoff

Begin Your Adventure Today!

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Green-Living Books for Adults & Middle Schoolers

The cover of a book titled keeping my earth green

D. J. Kristoff  spent 12 years developing her own exciting and fun teaching materials for her middle-school science students. Her quick-paced, straight-shooting, and inspiring style makes her green-living trilogies an easy, educational, and fun read for both adults and kids. You’ll enjoy her interactive approach that involves the whole family.


Dino Diane is all about saving Mother Earth!


You’ll be amazed at the depth and breadth of the subjects touched upon—everything from CO2 emissions, exercise, and organic veggies to “cow farts” and how they impact your life and our precious Mother Earth.


In each of the Keeping My Earth Green books for adults, Kristoff offers easy and fun ways to incorporate new Energy Behaviors into your lifestyle that will significantly improve your role as a responsible Earthling. By doing your part at home, at work, and while you’re out & about, adults can help protect and preserve our fragile environment for your children and their children.


Let’s teach our children how to save Mother Earth with the book series designed especially for them!

EXPERIENCE PREVIEW

Keeping My Earth Green Series For Kids  to Save Mother Earth!

A great resource for teachers & homeschool parents!

Our Mother Earth is a very special place to live. From the tallest trees to the tiniest mouse, we all share in the responsibility to protect her and all of her inhabitants. The Keeping My Earth Green trilogy for kids offers fun and easy ways to make a big difference at home, at school, and at play.


We all need to work together to save Mother Earth! Little steps you and your family take today, multiplied by millions from others, can have a profound effect. Through the beautiful scenes of nature and warm images of our animal friends, it is my desire to instill a deep respect and appreciation for Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants.


So, let’s be GREEN together!

A grasshopper is on the cover of a book titled the 10 easiest things you can do at home

Begin Saving Mother Earth!

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Available NOW in full color PDF format only.