This was a surprising book, unlike anything I have read recently. It is the story of Grady (no last name), a young boy who has been traveling with a huckster from town to town from his earliest memory. He doesn't know if he is related to the man but believes that he isn't. The man, Floyd, does various schemes to trick the townsfolk in each village out of their coins. Most of the schemes involve Grady in some form or fashion. The story, told by Grady, takes place sometime in the past on a fictional island called Corenwald. I have not read much in the fantasy realm, but I was fascinated by this one. I don't want to give away the story because it is worth reading for yourself. The final page of the book says, "Grady's story will continue in the fall of 2011."

This is a paperback of about 305 pages, and the genre stated on the back of the book is Fiction/Fantasy/Young Adult. I plan to assign this book for my 12-year-old granddaughter this semester. I will be interested to see her take on it when she writes her book report. There is nothing Christian about this book but there is nothing pagan about it either. It is a secular book, but there is no magic, evil, or anything other than pure human foibles involved. It is very appropriate for your pre-teen or teenager to read. It's pure adventure!

Product review by Christine Hindle, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, November 2010