About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels a restless urge for adventure or is struggling to balance the impulse for 'getting even' with the quieter path of forgiveness. Set in the 12th century, it follows Neil, a boy on the island of Lewis who is torn between the peaceful, contemplative life modeled by a local hermit and the high-stakes, action-oriented world of a Viking captain. When Neil travels to Iceland and discovers a grave has been robbed, he must navigate a dangerous quest to recover stolen weapons. It is a thoughtful exploration of how we define justice and honor, suitable for middle grade readers who enjoy historical fiction with a moral backbone. Parents will appreciate the way it contrasts the ruggedness of the Viking age with the soft power of prayer and patience.
