Description

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For fans of Neil Gaiman and How to Train Your Dragon comes a beautifully illustrated, fast-paced adventure about eleven year old Kyro, his best friend Andra, his trusted dog Cypher, and their race to save the stars.

When the world first formed, the night was black and filled with dark creatures. The Elders knew their people couldn't survive under such a threat. So they made the ultimate sacrifice: they gave their hearts to the sky in the form of brightly shining stars to keep evil away.

Now, eleven year old Kyro is a Star Shepherd like his father. He's spent his life tucked away in the outskirts of the small town of Drenn. There they watch the night sky for falling stars—and rush to rescue them when they do.

Then one night, too many stars fall at once, and terrible dark creatures start to appear in the forest by their home. Kyro's father journeys to the Star Shepherd Council to report the threat. But when he doesn't return Kyro must figure out how to save them himself before enough stars fall for the dark creatures to make their return.

Kyro, along with his trusty dog, Cypher, and his friend, Andra, must find the cause of the threat before it's too late.

Perfect for 5th graders and boys 10-14, young readers will devour this fun, fantasy adventure if they love stories with:

• Drawings and illustrations
• Trusty sidekicks (especially the furry kind)
• Evil, mythical creatures
• Ancient robots

About the Author

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Dan Haring is a visual effects and animation artist, who has worked on films such as Tangled, The Lion King 3D, Incredible Hulk and Rio 2. He is currently helping create new worlds in virtual reality at Strange Reptile. He loves comic books, especially Batman. He lives in Utah with his awesome wife and kids.

MarcyKate Connolly is a New York Times bestselling children’s book author and nonprofit administrator who lives in New England with her family and a grumble of short-nosed dogs. She is the author of the Shadow Weaver series and the Hollow Dolls series, and co-author of The Star Shepherd. You can visit her online at marcykate.com.

Praise For…

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"A story about friendship, family and finding your way in the world—this book truly shines!" — Jen Calonita, author of the Fairytale Reform School series

"Haring and Connolly have crafted an inviting fantasy that combines the epic feel of a creation myth with plenty of monsters to fight and monumental wrongs to right… this handsome volume is adorned with plenty of spot art and striking, full-page illustrations and is likely to draw in younger middle-grade readers as well as tween fantasy lovers." — Shelf Awareness

"A wonderous celestial fable" — Kirkus Reviews

"Uplifting and inviting from beginning to end, The Star Shepherd is a fantasy that’s focused on kindness, courage, and constellations of possibilities." — ForeWord

"An engaging entrée into fantasy, helped along by striking black-and-white illustrations and a satisfactory ending." — Publishers Weekly

"Readers will relish this fantasy with high suspense and clever plot twists. Loyalty, friendship, parent/child relationships, good vs. evil, and quests are all addressed." — School Library Connection

"A story that lives somewhere between fairy tale and epic fantasy...will work for younger readers making their first forays into fantasy" — Booklist

"A pleasant steampunk-esque fantasy that should do well in larger collections." — School Library Journal