Rowan and the Travelers

"The secret enemy
is here. 
It hides in darkness, 
fools beware!..."

The wise woman seems terrified, and her cryptic message frightens Rowan. He is wondering who the enemy could be, when suddenly the people of Rin begin falling asleep--and not waking up.

What is the strange spell that has settled over Rin? If Rowan can only figure out the meaning hidden in the wise woman's words, he may be able to save his people from this mysterious sleep and from an even worse danger to come....

The Travelers offer to help, but Rowan doesn't know if he can trust them. They suggest that the answer lies in the legendary, noxious Pit of Unrin, and no living thing has ever entered Unrin and returned. If Rowan tackles its unknown hazards, will he find the knowledge he seeks? Will he even survive? Rowan needs wisdom to decide whom to trust, bravery to face the perils of his journey, and both to defeat Rin's deadly secret enemy.

Emily Rodda has written many books for children, including Finders Keepers, which School Library journal dubbed "a lively adventure," and several novels about the likable hero Rowan. The first of these novels, Rowan of Rin, won the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Younger Readers Award when it was first published. In fact, Emily Rodda has won the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award an unprecedented five times. A former editor, Ms. Rodda is also the best-selling author of adult mysteries under the name Jennifer Rowe. She lives in Australia.