The Keepers: The Box and the Dragonfly is a Field Guide for Budding Heroes and Heroines

On his way, Horace encounters a preternaturally tall and gangly fellow who has a suspiciously lilting voice and reeks of brimstone. “Curiosity is a walk fraught with peril,” the man warns Horace. Unfazed, Horace makes his way inside The House of Answers, a dusty shop whose sign advertises “Artifacts, Miseries, Mysteries.” After meeting a secretive man and woman who allow him to select a curio from their odd selection of wares, a puzzled Horace is left to discover the functions of this magical gift—and his power in relation to it—all by himself.
When Horace joins forces with Chloe, an agile 12-year-old with a magical totem of her own, they begin to realize that they’ve become a part of something far bigger than either of them imagined—an ancient war between the Wardens and the Riven, secret underground sects that each claim ownership of mystical objects called Tanu.
Straddling science and magic, Horace and Chloe embark on an epic journey during which they must navigate the intersection of the ordinary and the extraordinary. In their quest to outwit a bevy of formidable foes, they must fight for their lives, guard their sanity, and summon a level of bravery they never knew they possessed.
The duo’s perilous odyssey is a veritable field guide for would-be heroes and heroines. Whether battling subterranean sects or navigating the cafeteria on pizza day, kids can’t go wrong with Horace and Chloe’s top five strategies for success:

1. Take calculated risks. Great triumphs often come from taking big chances, but before you act, check to see where your plan falls on the hierarchy of risks. Letting a creepy, insect-like dude follow you home? Not so much. Trailing him to a secret location with skilled backup in tow? Now you’re playing to win.
2. Make allies. It’s pretty tough to conquer the world on your own. It pays to have at least one trusted co-conspirator by your side during key moments, such as when a hypnotic crucible threatens your existence (or when you walk into study hall with toilet paper trailing out of your pants—not that I would know anything about that). In a sea of dubious allegiances, Horace and Chloe have learned that they can count on each other 100 percent.
3. Secure reliable transport. Just as Harry Potter hopped on the triple-decker Knight Bus and Percy Jackson took a cab helmed by the mostly-eyeless Gray Sisters, Horace and Chloe rely on an otherworldly cab driver named Beck to deliver them to “any address anywhere.” No charge. No questions asked. This is an essential resource for underage defenders of the universe, ‘cause hidden underground worlds don’t usually have bus stops, and it’s a bummer to fight off dangerous enemies when you’ve just walked ten miles.
4. Travel light, be prepared. Heroic journeys require staying power. You don’t want to be weighed down by a bunch of unnecessary stuff, whether it’s in your head or your backpack. Like many wise ones, Horace and Chloe travel light—they rely primarily on their sharp minds and wickedly cool magical instruments, and they’re always ready for action. That said, as a mom, I can’t help but suggest they bring along a little snack, maybe even a mini first-aid kit tucked into a pocket. A kid has to eat. And disinfect wounds. Something to consider for Book Two (The Harp and the Ravenvine, in stores in March 2016).
5. Don’t let the beasts get you down. A posse of evil creatures is out to steal your power, but that’s no reason to frown. While they’re busy doing everything they can to ruin your universe-defending game, show them who’s boss by staying focused on your mission. (Bonus: Once you master this, high school will be a piece of cake.)

Have you wandered into the House of Answers with Horace and Chloe?