Xander and the Dream Thief

by Margaret Dilloway

  “We’re eager to hear about your adventures,” says Dad. He examines my helmet and rope. “I see you’ve picked up a few new accessories.”

  “Uh, yeah. I hope you have nothing else to do for a few hours,” I say with a smile. Then, more seriously, “I wish you could have seen me defeat the oni.”

  “I’m sure I would have been proud.” He pats me on the back. His eyes twinkling, he can’t help adding, “I guess all that training I forced you to do came in handy.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. But if you say I told you so, I’m running back there!” I grin. “And guess what?” I turn to Mom. “I had another secret weapon.”

  She gives me an intensely curious look.

  “Turns out you’re not the only one around here who can glow.” I wiggle my eyebrows. Extending my hands, I send energy out through my fingers, wondering if it’ll work.

  It does, just for a second. The glow fades away, and I shrug apologetically. “I still have to work out the kinks.”

  My mother’s eyes seem to flash for a second, and then one side of her mouth curls up. “So, my son carries the light of the tall folk.” She holds her arms out to me.

  I step into them and squeeze her tight, as though trying to make up for all of our lost time, breathing in her familiar scent. Home—I am finally home. My father, watching us, wipes away a tear.

  When I break away, I say, “I never thought I’d be called one of the tall folk,” and we all burst out laughing.

  “You know what this means, don’t you?” my mother asks.

  “What?”

  “Double the training!” she says.

  I groan.

  My father clears his throat. “Come, let’s get some ice cream before it’s all gone.” He opens the screen door. My mom follows right behind.

  Before I go in, I turn and look out to the east. A white sliver is just beginning to rise over the horizon. Most of the moon is in shadow. Still, I think I can see a fuzzy halo around it. It looks like a crescent cookie in a plastic bag.

  I salute it, a smile stretching across my face. Maybe I will see it up close again someday. For now, though, I plan to enjoy some summer vacation.

  “With phantasmagorical environments, flying white rats, a fire-breathing bird, a giant, a snow demon, and other creepy things, there is abundant action. This retelling of a Japanese folktale celebrates courage, friendship, and pride of heritage, while featuring unforgettable characters and leaving readers eager for the next installment in this new series.”—Booklist

  “Dilloway seamlessly weaves necessary background information into the fast-paced, action-filled plot. Xander’s candid and straightforward first-person narration will instantly resonate with middle grade readers, as will his story’s themes of self-acceptance and friendship. Yoon’s comic-style illustrations evoke Xander’s talent for drawing and bring welcome visual interest. This fast-paced fantasy adventure with a foundation in Japanese culture is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.”—School Library Journal

  “A richly imagined story filled with its own unique blend of magic, mystery, and adventure. Readers will surely be adding Xander to their list of favorite heroes (and wishing they had their own Inu)!”—Shannon Messenger

  Margaret Dilloway has been a writer ever since she learned how to write. In high school she was a California Arts Scholar in Creative Writing and she won a National Council of Teachers of English writing award. She practiced writing in a variety of forms, such as being a theater critic and contributing editor for two weekly newspapers, doing technical writing, and playwriting, before publishing three critically acclaimed books for adults, How to Be an American Housewife, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns, and Sisters of Heart and Snow. Her research for this book and its predecessor, Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters, included a trip to Japan and a samurai sword-fighting class. Margaret lives in southern California with her husband, three children, and a Goldendoodle named Gatsby. For more information, visit www.margaretdilloway.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @mdilloway.

  Choong Yoon grew up in Seoul, South Korea. As a kid, he loved drawing animated characters and copying comic book panels. His passion for art grew until eventually he studied fine arts at Seoul National University. His fascination with narrative storytelling led him to transfer to the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he learned illustration. After graduating, Choong began working as a freelance illustrator of books and comic books. More of his work can be seen at www.choongyoon.com.