Andrea Spalding - The Keeper and the Crows

Andrea Spalding

Picture	Secret of the Dance Bottled Sunshine It's Raining, It's Pouring Me and Mr Mah Solomon's Tree Most Beautiful Kite in the World Sarah May and the New Red Dress A Special Gift A World of Stories
Young Adult	Phoebe and the Gypsy The Keeper and the Crows An Island of My Own Finders Keepers
Summer of Magic	[1] The White Horse Talisman [2] Dance of the Stones [3] Heart of the Hill [4] Behind The Sorcerer's Cloak
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The Keeper and the Crows

By: Andrea Spalding
Illustrations by: Kirsti
Type: Fantasy
Reading Level: 2 to 5
Age Level: 8 to 11
Published by: Orca Book Publishers
Available in: Paperback, 122pp, 2000
ISBN: 1-55143-141-6

In this Ontario-based fantasy, Misha visits his aunt in an Ontario village. He thinks it’s strange that she doesn’t have a television. But as he becomes involved in an unexpected adventure, he soon finds that there are much stranger things in the world around her. He must outwit the sinister crows to save an ancient secret.

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice
Short-listed for 2002 Rocky Mountain Book Award
Short-listed for 2002 Red Cedar Award
2nd on Canadian Booksellers Association bestsellers list

- This novel is truly high fantasy... magical transformation scene... Quill & Quire

- This one's a keeper! ... a lovely thumbnail sketch of Ontario ... Spalding's use of language is clear, clever, never condescending and often adventurous." Island Tides.

- an intriguing tale ... an excellent fantasy adventure ... Spalding’s use of language is richly descriptive ... This many-layered story is an engaging and fast-paced read with a satisfying mystery ... Children’s Literature Round Table News

- Children will be hooked from the moment they pick the book up ... a page turner young readers will have a hard time putting down. CM Magazine.

Misha's Aunt Dora has moved to an old cottage in the historic town of Belfountain, and Misha can hardly wait to visit. But when he arrives, Misha finds that his aunt has also attracted the interest of the local crows, who watch her every move. Odder still, they seem to listen in on Misha's conversations with his aunt. What is going on?

Before he knows it, Misha is drawn into his aunt's secret. She is the Keeper, caretaker of an ancient box of great power. Aunt Dora holds one key to the mysterious box, but the other key has been stolen by the crows. Now the evil birds are determined to find the box and claim it - along with all its powers - for their own.

The crows won't let Dora out of their sight. Now it's up to Misha to search out and reclaim the stolen key.

And he must act alone.

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