The Talking Stone is a Magically Real story about how a group of unlikely friends come together to accomplish something none of them could do on their own. Can Raan and his friends rescue Prince Terrion in time to save the people of Clallot from a plot to enslave them?
The story begins when a skeptical teen daydreamer, who spends his time seeking adventure on the streets of New York City, is surprised when an unimaginable adventure finds him. Two strange shopkeepers in a mystical music instrument store in Greenwich Village abduct Raan into the land of Clallot on an unwanted mission with the directions: You'll figure it out as you go. The Talking Stone is an endearing tale of budding faith and friendship, as three friends work together to solve mysteries, defeat monsters, foil villains, and restore harmony to a land divided by fear.
In Clallot, Raan finds a magic stone that gives him the superpower of understanding. He soon realizes that the gift of knowledge and understanding is more powerful than he ever imagined. With it, he gains courage, compassion, and the determination to overcome all obstacles. With every challenge, Raan sees his belief come alive as he begins to trust in a faith he learns to love.
Yet Raan has his doubts and constantly wonders why he was selected for this mission, often daydreaming about his favorite foods, such as Pop-Tarts, hot dogs, and pizza. Raan is curious and inventive, and the hero he wishes he could be, but never realizes it. He learns to trust his new friends Casy, GB, and Seth, the handyman/Jedi master/holy listener.
Of course, what story would be complete without riddles to unravel, puzzles to solve, and tongue-in-cheek humor between friends? And there are plenty of surprises, twists, and tension to keep a reader on the edge of their seat, as well as times of comfort around the meal table and fireplace.
Perfect for middle graders and beyond, The Talking Stone is a welcome read for fans of books like The Phantom Tollbooth, Treasure Island, Redwall, At the Back of the North Wind, The Hobbit, and The Horse and His Boy.
The story evokes themes of endurance in the face of disability, courage in the face of racism, fortitude in the face of misunderstanding, and, most importantly, that God is trustworthy even in the darkest moments. The novel's overarching theme is that everyone has something to contribute; the most complex tasks are achievable when each person does their part.
Brooke, Will: - ""Brooke's world-building is vivid, and his dialogue sparkles with warmth and wit."-Carol Tetzlaff, award-winning author of Ezra."His characters are special, full of surprises, humor, and action!"-Tom Flaim, bestselling author of Thirsty for Christ. Will Brooke is an intriguing new voice in the middle-grade fantasy genre. His adventures are a fresh mix of family-friendly mystery, action, and heart. His vivid stories always contain ample surprises to make anyone smile.He's a native New Yorker who has dedicated much of his career to the art of fixing technology and delights in the captivating stories that arise when broken things and people are made new. His dedication has led him across the globe, armed with a literal toolbox, pen, and a ragged-edge notebook. He learned early that plans often go awry and that flubs, mess-ups, misunderstandings, and challenges make the best stories, and that experience usually grows when you break something and fix it afterward. Years of adventures and misadventures provide plenty of fuel for unique characters to battle in imaginative worlds with courage, faith, and imagination.For Brooke, adventure started early. As a child, he constantly drew, wrote stories, invented worlds, built elaborate treehouses, and dug intricate tunnels deep into massive Minnesota snowdrifts. These creative trends continue to this day, yet the snow isn't deep enough for tunnels, and the treehouses are closer to the ground. Now everyone can enjoy the view through his imaginative stories.Brooke draws inspiration for his work from the ebbs and flows of life, dreams, personal experience, an array of online sources, books of all kinds, history, and the Bible. He holds a Master of Arts from Wheaton College and currently resides near the Great Lakes in the United States. He loves good food, great books, family, friends, and long walks. He is always on the lookout for hidden mysteries, whether in a book or in everyday life. Brooke's debut novel is The Talking Stone: A Magically Real Fantasy, but he's published four other books in other genres under the name of Jack Urban.-The Talking Stone: A Magically Real Fantasy - https: //www.amazon.com/Talking-Stone-Magically-Real-Fantasy/dp/B0FXTN99XH-Backward down the Mountain: And Other Tales of Chance Adventure and Ordinary Miracles - https: //www.amazon.com/Backward-down-Mountain-adventure-everyday/dp/1492894192-Brill: The Tale of a Reluctant Donkey - https: //www.amazon.com/Brill-Reluctant-Donkey-Jack-Urban/dp/1733910948-Small Talks with God: Encouragement and Healing from the Heart of Jesus - https: //www.amazon.com/Small-Talks-God-Encouragement-Healing/dp/1733910905-Forty Days With Jesus: Daily Imaginative Thoughts and Reflections for Lent - https: //store.bookbaby.com/Book?bookurl=40-days-with-jesus1For more information about Will Brooke or Jack Urban, browse: WillBrookeBooks.com, Windwalker Art at JackUrban.com, WindwalkerBooks.com, The Everyday Amazed substack at jackurban.substack.com.Follow on: Instagram, Facebook, X, and Substack."
