The Familiars

The Familiars
Author: Adam Jay Epstein
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 388
Release: 2011-06-07
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0061961108

When Aldwyn, a young alley cat on the run, ducks into a mysterious pet shop, he doesn’t expect his life to change. But that’s exactly what happens when Jack, a young wizard, picks Aldwyn to be his magical familiar. Finally off the tough streets, Aldwyn thinks he’s got it made. He just has to convince the other familiars—the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert—that he’s the telekinetic cat he claims to be. But when Jack and two other wizards in training are captured by a terrible evil, it will take all of Aldwyn’s street smarts, a few good friends, and a nose for adventure to save the day!

Have You Seen Gordon?

Have You Seen Gordon?
Author: Adam Jay Epstein
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2021-09-28
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1534477365

A purple tapir named Gordon refuses to remain hidden and decides to stand out.

Snared: Lair of the Beast

Snared: Lair of the Beast
Author: Adam Jay Epstein
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2019-06-04
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1250146941

In this rip-roaring dungeon adventure, genius inventor Wily Snare must journey into a dangerous underground maze to find a mythical beast. Thanks to a crew of misfit treasure-seekers, Wily Snare has assumed his rightful place as King of Panthasos. Wily knows how to be a great trapsmith—devising and building various contraptions to keep plunderers at bay—but he has no idea how to be a good king. And he hasn’t escaped his past. Stalag, mage who once kept him locked away, is amassing an army of stone soldiers to seize the kingdom. Wily’s only hope is to tame a lair beast, a giant creature that’s the only chance against the evil wizard’s army. But first, Wily and his friends will need to survive the journey to the strange and deadly “Below” where the lair beast dwells. Snared: Lair of the Beast is the second book in a fantasy adventure series from bestselling author Adam Jay Epstein. An Imprint Book "This action-packed, fast-paced read is funny, heartfelt, and filled with adventure." —School Library Journal: Xpress Reviews Praise for Snared: Escape to the Above "Afast-paced, refreshingly creative adventure that will thrill readers from the very first page.” —Shannon Messenger, New York Times bestselling author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series and the Sky Fall series “Fabulous characters and a unique mythology combine to create something really wonderful. Snared will ensnare you.” —Michael Scott, New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series.

Snared: Escape to the Above

Snared: Escape to the Above
Author: Adam Jay Epstein
Publisher:
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2018-06-05
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1250146925

As trapsmith of the Carrion Tomb, Wily Snare spends all day every day inventing traps to keep plunderers at bay. While bored with his lot, he's proud that no one has ever outwitted his snares--until one day, the unlikeliest group of invaders does just that.An acrobatic thief, a warrior with a phantom arm, and a giant not only steal the tomb's gold--they take Wily, too! His skills will be invaluable for looting other treasure hoards across the kingdom. Yet the crew soon discovers it has an unexpected but crucial role to play in the fight against the Infernal King, a malevolent engineer who seeks to control the kingdom. Spanning a realm filled with dragons and dream spiders, golems and sorcerers, Snared: Escape to the Above is a great fit for middle-grade readers, particularly video game fans.

Fractured Futures

Fractured Futures
Author: Monica Tesler
Publisher: Aladdin
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2019-12-17
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1534402500

Jasper and his friends must find a way to make peace between Earth and the Youli aliens before the Youli destroy the human race in this finale of the Bounders series, which Shannon Messenger calls “richly detailed, highly imaginative.” Jasper doesn’t know how his life got so messed up. Was it when Mira decided to leave him for the Youli aliens? Was it discovering his former pod now divided in a war between Earth Force and the Resistance? Or was it when the Youli gave Earth an ultimatum: Join the Intragalactic Council or be destroyed? Now the Youli have invited Jasper’s pod to visit their world. For Jasper, this means a chance to get his friends back on the same team. It also means seeing Mira again, and hopefully convincing her to come home. But once on the Youli planet, Jasper realizes there’s something off about Mira. She’s hiding a secret, and the more he pushes her, the more she avoids him. Meanwhile, the Intragalactic Summit approaches, a meeting that will decide the fate of Earth. But Jasper has a nagging feeling that Earth Force will sabotage the Summit—and then suffer the Youli’s wrath. And how can Jasper convince Earth to unite if he can’t even unite his friends? With humanity’s future on the brink of destruction, Jasper and his friends must learn that they’re stronger together if they have any shot at saving Earth.

Snared: Voyage on the Eversteel Sea

Snared: Voyage on the Eversteel Sea
Author: Adam Jay Epstein
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2020-08-18
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1250146968

Wily Snare sets sail on the high seas in the third and final installment of the middle grade fantasy adventure series from Adam Jay Epstein, Snared: Voyage on the Eversteel Sea Wily’s enemies are after his throne. The man who kept him captive for much of his childhood, the evil mage Stalag, is still at large, and Wily knows the kingdom will never be safe as long as he’s a threat. Meanwhile, Wily’s father, the Infernal King, has escaped prison and he’s looking to retake power. When Wily learns the villains are traveling to the fabled Eversteel Forge to build a mechanical army, it’s up to him and his companions to journey across the sea and stop their enemies. On the way, they face piracy, betrayal, sea monster attacks, and the dangers of a mysterious desert island. But the greatest challenge is to Wily’s loyalties—and if he can forgive a father he no longer trusts. An Imprint Book Praise for Snared: Lair of the Beast: "This action-packed, fast-paced read is funny, heartfelt, and filled with adventure." —School Library Journal: Xpress Reviews Praise for Snared: Escape to the Above: “A heartfelt tale filled with whimsy, wonder, and magic...truly satisfying.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Secrets of the Crown

Secrets of the Crown
Author: Adam Jay Epstein
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2011-09-06
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0062093274

Prepare for the unfamiliar When every bit of human magic disappears suddenly from Vastia, it falls on the familiars—Aldwyn the telekinetic cat, Skylar the know-it-all blue jay, and Gilbert the gullible tree frog—to find the Crown of the Snow Leopard, an ancient relic that can reverse the curse. They learn that the only way to do this is by following in the paw prints of Aldwyn’s missing father, who went searching for the Crown several years earlier. This magical spirit trail extends into the Beyond, where our heroes encounter new enemies and danger, while Aldwyn learns about his mysterious past. Full of high-flying adventure and heartwarming friendships, Secrets of the Crown will make readers want to get even more familiar with The Familiars!

Shadows of Sherwood

Shadows of Sherwood
Author: Kekla Magoon
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 372
Release: 2016-10-18
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1681190230

For fans of Percy Jackson comes a high-adventure retelling of the classic Robin Hood tale featuring a diverse cast of characters and a kick-butt heroine . . . Robyn Hoodlum.