Jonas Pail

A bold, witty middle grade fantasy where a bullied boy must rescue his sister and save a crumbling magical world, perfect for fans of Roald Dahl, Cornelia Funke, and Lewis Carroll. Jonas Pail is twelve, bullied at school, tormented at home—and about to stumble into a secret that could change two worlds forever.

When his moody big sister Susie vanishes inside the ruins of a creepy old house, everyone assumes she’s run away. Everyone except Jonas. Then a peculiar little creature bursts out of the fireplace with alarming news: Susie has been taken—and only Jonas can bring her back. Dragged into a realm of lurking monsters, mischievous creatures, and impossible quests, Jonas must outsmart enemies far bigger and braver than he is. Armed only with his sarcasm, quick wit, and an unlikely companion, he sets out on a rescue mission that will test his courage and turn him into the hero no one ever expected. Packed with humor, heart, and hair-raising adventure, Jonas Pail is a middle grade fantasy for ages 8-12 that will delight fans of Roald Dahl, The Wizard of Oz, and Percy Jackson. Because sometimes, the smallest heroes shine the brightest.

Author Biography

Hilkka Wiesner, born and raised in Finland, completed her studies in English and Nordic Philology at the University of Oulu in 2002. She began her teaching career in Finland before relocating to Germany in 2006, where she continues to teach languages. When she’s not in the classroom, Hilkka enjoys spending time outdoors with her two children or immersing herself in nature. She also has a deep love for music and has recently begun learning to play the piano. A passionate linguist, she embraces every opportunity to learn new languages. Hilkka divides her time between Germany and her native Finland, returning twice a year to visit family. Her journey into writing children’s stories began when her children were still in elementary school—she started inventing imaginative adventures they loved to hear. One of those stories evolved into the tale of Jonas Pail, a boy chosen for a great mission. The story was inspired by Hilkka’s own son, who not only shaped the main character but also helped design some of the monsters and critters featured in the adventure