I dedicate this book to my mom because she supported me and helped me complete this book. 

Hi! I'm Maria and I'm a tegu! I live with my best friend Casey. Casey loves to read books. I find books boring, but I can live with it. I like adventure more because you never know what to expect!

Hi! I'm Maria.

Hi! I'm Casey.

I turn around to go explore when I notice that none of Casey's books are there and I can only see moving boxes. My mind races with the thoughts of "What are all of these boxes?" and "Is everything okay?" 

Fun Fact

Did you know that tegus need to be in warm places for their health? Maria is blind in one eye because she was left in a dark, cold basement.

Books

Bedroom

hen

What happened to all the books!

As Casey walks towards me, I can see that she is disappointed. When she gets closer I say "Are you okay? I bet the books are somewhere. They have to be, I don't think they grew legs. " Casey looks at me with teary eyes and says "Thanks. I'm  going to go look for them."

I hope she's ok.

Kitchen

(Later that afternoon) "Hey Casey? Who's that person in our basement and what are they doing with all the boxes?" Once I say that, I realize that Casey is looking for the books and I suddenly start to feel sick. 

Fun Fact

Tegus are omnivores. Omnivores are animals that eat meat and plants!

What are they doing?

(Later that night) As I look around the house that once used to be full, I suddenly hear the door open and I jump up!  At that moment, besides being scared, I'm thinking "Maybe they came back for us, that would be great!"

"This place looks great, doesn't it!"

Yes! But what's that 

noise in the basement?

A couple minutes later, a girl with pigtails runs down and takes me upstairs. I am so confused! When she takes me upstairs, I realize that Casey isn't with me! All I want to say is "Wait! My best friend is still down here! Don't leave her!"

Fun Fact

Tegus live in the tropical rainforest, savannas, and semi-deserts! 

Hey mom, come look! There's  an animal in the basement!