Two secrets have remained hidden and protected within a trunk in the Shadows attic. However, unbeknownst to them, hidden within the rings of wood just beyond their backyard, is a third secret. Amber Shadows, the youngest of three, discovers two of these secrets while searching for information on a White Magic witch or wizard relative she must write about in an essay. During a birthday campout, Amber is awakened by an apparition, who leads her to discover the third secret. Having no understanding as to how dangerous possessing these three secrets interlaced by the same quill truly are, Amber convinces her two best friends to journey along with her on a dangerous quest. Terrifying events unfold during her quest to find her parents, grandparents, and two wands with the greatest of magical powers. Amber and friends must overcome obstacles, take on conjured up beasts, find their way out of traps, and manage to return home safe and sound. But will they?
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June 4, 2008 Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands has won the Spinetinglers' Book Of The Year Award!
February 2009, Amber Shadows won its second BOTY Award in the Young Adult genre through AuthorsandBooks.net!
Congratulations to author/illustrator Wendy Willett!
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The grandfather clock bonged five-thirty, drawing Amber's attention to the fact that her sister and brother were not home as of yet. She'd never known them to be home later than four- thirty. Then again, mid-term finals were coming up in Magia classes, and most likely, they stopped off to study at a friends' house, or went to the school library to do research. Yes, one of those two reasons had to be it. Even so, it was times like these Amber wished her family had a telephone. But no matter, there were more important issues to deal with at the moment, like getting her assignment done before Saturday. Pushing her worries to the back of her mind, she shifted her thoughts back to the problem at hand. "Maybe Mom has books of family history here in her closet," Amber said to Zappy, who had just lain across her feet and was playfully attacking her toes. She'd never know I looked in them, so it should be all right. What say you Zappy . . . should I have a look?" Amber stopped scratching Zappy and stood with candle in hand. She was about to head towards her parents' room, when at that precise moment, Zappy did something extraordinary. For you see, Zappy was not a normal house feline. He was ancient in years, had a glittering wizard birthmark on his chest, and was magically endowed. Vaporizing into human form, he bowed and said respectfully, "If there is anything I can do to help my mistress." Thank you Zapphorya, she said appreciatively. She always addressed him by his full given name whenever he appeared in human form, "but I'll have to sneak a peek into Mom's room for family history if I'm to finish this report for Whittlesworth. Otherwise, I'll be history in his class. Crystal or Willow must never know either, so please, please don't breathe a word of this to them . . . ok?" (Zapphorya nodded) "Speaking of which, don't you think it a bit strange they're not home yet?" Yes, it does seem a bit unusual for them," he replied, "possibly they may have stopped off at a friends' house to study?" That's what I thought for a bit," said Amber, "but why wouldn't they send me a message of some sort, telling me what time to expect them home? There've been loads of rumors floating around school that Lady Gondara has been lurking about. Not that it makes me worry . . . but . . . it makes me worry. And it would be a bit of help to know where to look for the information I need for this assignment." "I'm certain they are fine Mistress. Pertaining to your dilemma, what is your assignment on?" "I have to write about someone in our family that led an extraordinary life as a White Magic witch or wizard. So far, I've come up with nothing. There was no info on the relatives I thought would be perfect to write about. At least . . . not at the Great Hall of Magian White Magic Records for that matter. Not that there were many, but I needed at least one." Zapphorya cleared his throat and eyed his cat claws. Even though he was in human form, there were still two characteristics that remained feline. His cat eyes were one, and the other was his fingernails which still resembled cat claws. "I happen to know of a place where two secrets are hidden . . . secrets you may find indubitably helpful in writing your assignment, Mistress." "Secrets?" Amber repeated, her brow furrowed in curiosity. "What secrets?" "I am sworn to uphold their secrecy," Zapphorya said curtly. Then he gestured for Amber to come closer, his cat eyes widened in fear of being discovered, should anyone come home at that given moment. "If they ever found out I broke my promise and revealed the secrets, they'd magically take my nine lives away!" "Zapphorya . . . spill it," Amber said, folding her arms. "You know you're bursting to tell someone . . . so it might as well be me. I promise not to tell anyone these secrets you speak of. So c'mon and tip the catnip out of the bag . . . what secrets?"
About Wendy Willett
Wendy Willett has won publication for a piece called Magical Love, published by Joyous Publishing in Internationally Yours: Prize Winning Stories, and has numerous poetry works published in the United States and United Kingdom. Upon graduating from Institute of Children's Literature in 2003, Ms. Willett has planned a four book Amber Shadows series and is currently working on the second book, Amber Shadows and the Crystal Locket.
Two secrets have remained hidden and protected within a trunk in the Shadows attic. However, unbeknownst to them, hidden within the rings of wood just beyond their backyard, is a third secret. Amber Shadows, the youngest of three, discovers two of these secrets while searching for information on a White Magic witch or wizard relative she must write about in an essay. During a birthday campout, Amber is awakened by an apparition, who leads her to discover the third secret. Having no understanding as to how dangerous possessing these three secrets interlaced by the same quill truly are, Amber convinces her two best friends to journey along with her on a dangerous quest. Terrifying events unfold during her quest to find her parents, grandparents, and two wands with the greatest of magical powers. Amber and friends must overcome obstacles, take on conjured up beasts, find their way out of traps, and manage to return home safe and sound. But will they?
Wendy Willett has won publication for a piece called Magical Love, published by Joyous Publishing in Internationally Yours: Prize Winning Stories, and has numerous poetry works published in the United States and United Kingdom. Upon graduating from Institute of Children's Literature in 2003, Ms. Willett has planned a four book Amber Shadows series and is currently working on the second book, Amber Shadows and the Crystal Locket.