This fast-paced, exciting, and emotionally rich fantasy novel for middle graders reads like a cross between The Phantom Tollbooth and Harry Potter. How can 11-year-old Gabriel find his missing father, who seems to have vanished without a trace? With the help of Paladin-a young raven with whom he has a magical bond that enables them to become one creature-he flies to the foreboding land of Aviopolis, where he must face a series of difficult challenges and unanswerable riddles that could lead to his father . . . or to his death.

Author Biography

George Hagen is the author of two novels for adults- The Laments, a Washington Post bestseller and recipient of the William Saroyan International Prize for writing, which Publishers Weekly called "a funny, touching novel about the meaning of family;" and Tom Bedlam, which was described by Booklist as "Dickensian in scope and spirit. . . . Shot through with humor, and populated with a cast of eccentric charmers." George had lived on three continents by the time he was twelve. The father of three children, he now lives in Brooklyn, New York. This is his first book for kids. To learn more about the author, visit georgehagen.com.