Gabriel Finley & the Raven’s Riddle

Gabriel Finley & the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen was a nominee for the 2016-17 South Carolina Children’s Book Award.

Gabriel Finley’s father, Adam, has been missing for several years. Gabriel lives in Brooklyn with his aunt, but he never stops wondering what happened to his father. Soon, though, Gabriel will begin to solve the riddle of his missing father…and so much more.

When Gabriel discovers that he can communicate with ravens–who are the most intelligent of all the birds–secrets begin to be revealed. As it turns out, his dad shared this gift, and it could have something to do with his disappearance. Gabriel’s dad worked with his own raven companion, or amicus, to hide a powerful object from the valravens (cursed, fiendish birds) and their leader, Corax, a being who is half-man, half-valraven…and Gabriel’s uncle.

With the help of his own amicus, Paladin, and several friends, Gabriel begins to unravel the truth of what his uncle is seeking and the whereabouts of his father. The journey involves untangling riddles, battle with a magical, music-loving desk, and learning about the Finley family’s secrets. Gabriel is determined to find his way to his father, but forces are at work that are equally determined to stop him.

Is Gabriel ready to descend into Aviopolis, Corax’s horrifying domain, risking the lives of himself and his friends, to prevent Corax from ruling both above and below the surface? Will he be able to rescue his father, save himself and his friends, and defeat the evil Corax? Read Gabriel Finley & the Raven’s Riddle to find out!

Leepike Ridge

It all started with a refrigerator box.  Eleven-year-old Tom Hammond probably never thought that kicking around a box and the foam inside would lead to such trouble…but it did. What starts out as a rather innocent evening playing with a piece of foam ends up with Tom trapped under his home on Leepike Ridge!

Tom uses all of his wits to survive in this frightening environment. He encounters more than he ever expected (including a corpse that–oddly enough–gives him some survival tools). He even meets up with a dog and another survivor, and these three will work together to finally find a way out of the mountain.

While Tom is fighting for his life, his mom is fighting a battle of her own. She knows her son is alive, but she’ll have to work to convince others…all while fending off treasure hunters who are out for their own interests.

Will Tom ever find his way home? Just what will he find within Leepike Ridge? And what will he learn about himself throughout this terrifying ordeal? Discover the truth when you read Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson.