• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

In Volume Three of The Summer of Magic Quartet, Adam's turn to lead the adventure has arrived. The Wise One, Myrddin, needs Adam to retrieve his staff from the Crystal Cave deep inside Glastonbury Tor. The quest grows more dangerous, however, and fear rises. Equus and Ava are far away, the Lady will not wake, and Myrddin is in human guise, unable to use magic without alerting the Dark Being. The four children are on their own. And as the Dark Being approaches, the children discover that danger can find them even in their dreams.

Andrea Spalding is a prolific writer for children.
Born in the industrial city of Manchester England, she trained as a teacher. Then, with husband David, Andrea immigrated to Canada in 1967. After living in Alberta for 24 years, Andrea and David relocated to British Columbia and live on Pender Island, one of Canada's Southern Gulf Islands.
Canadian life proved to be rich and varied. Curiosity about her chosen country compelled Andrea to listen to other Canadian immigrants who shared tales that later became her folktale book, A World of Stories.
A love of the outdoors prompted her and David to take their family and travel quintessential Canada. They've skated on frozen lakes, worked on dinosaur digs, and panned for Yukon gold. Andrea has whale-watched on both coasts, enjoyed vineyards and theatre festivals on the Niagara Peninsula, and tapped her feet in Toronto jazz clubs. A highlight West Coast experience was assisting in the carving an Aboriginal Honour Pole with Tsimshian master carver Victor Reece. These experiences provided background for her stories.
Andrea's first children's book, The Most Beautiful Kite In The World, was selected as a Canadian Children's Book Center's "Our Choice." She has garnered awards and nominations ever since. Her fantasy novels - The Summer of Magic Quartet - are avidly read by both children and adults. Her picturebook, Secret of the Dance, is her 30th. Written with Aboriginal Elder Alfred Scow, it has gained accolades from both the aboriginal and white communities.
Andrea gives school presentations across the country, and also teaches writing workshops, and in-service presentations to teachers, librarians, and any one interested in her passion for Children's Literature.

Visit Andrea's website at www.andreaspalding.com.

Andrea Spalding's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Our Choice

Heart of the Hill

In this third installment of The Summer of Magic Quartet series, Adam is contacted by Myrrdin, the Wise One. He is seeking assistance in retrieving his staff from the Crystal Cave in the Tor, the hill in Glastonbury, which is believed to be the home of Avalon and King Arthur. Here we are introduced to new locations and characters, as the four cousins realize another adventure awaits. Historical and mythical England melds with current geography, as we travel to Celtic times and see Arto, who is reputed to become King Arthur. The four protagonists deal with petty behaviours and self-doubt in their relationships, but Adam walks the Spiral Labyrinth, so shows he is both brave and growing in wisdom. This fantasy adventure will have readers doing research on King Arthur, Glastonbury Tor and Celtic myths.

Heart of the Hill (Summer of Magic Quartet)

In Book Three, the four children must retrieve Myrddin’s staff before the Dark Being discovers its hiding place deep in the heart of Glastonbury Tor.