The Jedera Adventure — Lloyd Alexander

Returning a library book is easy. Unless the book in question is a rare, valuable, very overdue library book. And it must be returned to the famed library at Bel-Saaba in the North African country of Jedera. And it's in the hands of Vesper Holly. Who's guaranteed to turn any seemingly simple errand into an exciting adventure.

Adventure it is! Feuding desert tribes, rough terrain, slave traders, and a biting camel all threaten Vesper as she leads a caravan toward the library. But the biggest threat of all is the evil Dr. Helvitius, who awaits Vesper in Bel-Saaba. Can Vesper stop the fiendish plot he's hatching and triumph over her archrival?