From Australia's favourite storyteller comes a story, within a story, that shows us the extraordinary power of true love and solves a decades-old mystery. Once upon a time, in a dark city far away, there lived a boy called Walter, who had nothing but his name to call his own ...The handwritten book, with its strangely vivid illustrations, has been hidden in the old house for a long, long time. Tonight, four kids and their teacher will find it. Tonight, at last, the haunting story of Walter and the mysterious, tragic girl called Sparrow will be read - right to the very end ... From one of Australia's most renowned children's authors, comes an extraordinary story within a story - a mystery, a prophecy, a long-buried secret. And five people who will remember this night for the rest of their lives. AWARDS Winner - 2019 Prime Minister's Literary Awards (Children's Literature) Winner - 2019 Australian Book Design Awards (Children's Fiction Book) Winner - 2019 CBCA Book of the Year Awards (Younger Readers) Shortlisted - 2019 Davitt Awards (Children's) Shortlisted - 2019 QLD Literary Awards (Griffith University Children's Book Award) Shortlisted - 2018 Aurealis Awards (Best Young Adult Novel) PRAISE 'Another magnificent book from Emily Rodda' - Readings 'guaranteed to capture the imaginations of 8+ mystery lovers' - Better Reading