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

Misha is excited about visiting his favourite aunt, especially now that she has moved into a cottage that is more than a century old. What an opportunity to search out secret passages and hidden cellars. But Aunt Dora's home in the historic town of Belfountain has also raised the interest of others: a society of crows, including the mystic albino Old One, all intent on finding something hidden. Before he knows it, Misha is drawn into his aunt's secret. She is a Keeper, one of a line of wise caretakers of the ancient Pandora's Box, and it is her duty to keep it under lock and key. All the evils of the world were released eons ago, but once a day the Keeper unlocks the box to dispense just a little of the Hope still in it. This remaining container of Hope must be guarded at all cost. There are only two keys: one rests with Aunt Dora, but now the other has been stolen by the crows. Misha must find the key before the clever and resourceful crows get to the box first. Determined to outwit the evil creatures and get the better of Old One, Misha has no idea how far he will have to go.

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

• Short-listed, Red Cedar nominee
• Commended, CCBC Our Choice

"A cracking good tale for four to ten year-olds...For both young readers and the even younger read-to crowd, Spalding's use of language is clear, clever, never condescending and often adventurous...What could be nicer [...] than to curl up with the youngsters and read to them - put this book on the list."

Island Tides

"Children will be hooked from the moment they pick the book up...A page turner young readers will have a hard time putting down. Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine

"Spalding has woven the myth of Pandora's Box into a charming fantasy, with an underlying message the each human can bring hope to the world...A well-written novel for younger readers."

Quill & Quire