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

With the arrival of a mysterious letter from Cales estranged father, what looked to be a dull, hot summer becomes an exciting adventure for the Seven Stair Crew!

A series of clues sends the boys on a quest to find "The Empire" -- four super-secret skateboard sites with some of the most thrilling, gnarly set-ups around. Even Toby, the clumsy SSC wannabe, gets pulled into the action, despite the objections of some of the Crew.

But for Cale, it turns out that the quest for the Empire isn't just about skateboarding. It's also a personal journey of discovery -- about his own character and about the dad he never knew.

Growing up, BRAD V. COWAN was no stranger to the best places to skateboard in the Toronto area. He works in television and film, working as producer of the West 49 Ambition Camp TV series, in which eight of the countryâ??s best skaters went head-to-head in a skateboarding competition. He now writes for TV and film.

Brad V. Cowan's profile page

• Winner, Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens

"A little bit of mystery, a little sports fiction, a little bit of drama, all rolled up in an entertaining story. Readers will be drawn in by the descriptions of the skateboarding moves and the mysterious clues to the extreme skateboarding locations, but they will stay to watch Cale discovering his own identity and his relationship to his absent father."

Librarian, NetGalley Reviewer

"There is plenty here to engage a reluctant reader . . . Language, action, and a puzzle to be solved keep the reader moving from start to a satisfying finish."

Librarian at St. Mary's School

"This book fills a niche for lovers of skateboarding. It deals thoughtfully with the themes of friendship, tolerance and divorce in an engaging manner."

Educator at Hood River County School District

"[A contagiously enthusiastic account of skateboarding. It will delight skateboarders and provide non-skaters with an inside look at skateboarding culture and its terminology."

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"Great book! Fast pace, simple but interesting content. Would definitely buy this for my junior high students. Think the skateboarders would like it."

Librarian, NetGalley Reviewer