Dmitri Mendel and Henry Mosel suspected they had discovered something big when they came across a cave with a mysterious substance glowing on the rock walls. But finding out what the silvery substance was and keeping it secret until the day of the Leeland Academy Science Fair would prove challenging. Their nemesis, Billy Cashton, and his father, Albert, would do anything to ensure a first-place trophy for Billy. After all, Billy had won the top prize every year. But the stakes are bigger than any of them realize. The discovery in the cave is a deposit of the rare earth element, europium. Billy’s father will do anything to find out where the cave is and to ensure Billy’s win at the science fair. But, how far will he go? Dmitri and Henry have a few allies of their own who will help them unravel the mysteries surrounding their discovery. Will Dmitri and Henry finish their project on time and secure the rights to the cave before Mr. Cashton does? The tension builds until the day of the science fair, when all the secrets are revealed.
Europium: Secrets of Leeland Falls is a fast-paced race against time. The story takes artistic license with the history of mining this rare earth element and weaves a narrative around the use of europium and its importance to national security. Dmitri and Henry also remind us of what the adolescent social cast can be like while embarking on the rituals of dating, all while warding off the evil Cashton Empire.