Afraid of being caught by trackers from another world, a young mother abandons her baby boy in a tomato box inside the screened porch of a children's home. The staff at the orphanage name him Hamelin Stoop, but he grows up longing to learn his real name, find his parents, and thus discover his true identity. Life is not easy for Hamelin. He belongs to everyone, though in some ways to no one fully. And the people he is closest to leave him one by one. A letter from an older friend advises Hamelin to "keep waiting and keep hoping." Bitter experiences force Hamelin to wait, but he has to learn how to hope. When the children's home forgets his eighth birthday, he sneaks away at night. He soon discovers that he isn't just running away -- he is being summoned by the Ancient One. Guided by the Great Eagle through a mysterious cave, Hamelin must pass a dangerous test of courage before he can find his parents. Hamelin's failures, fears, and hopes become part of a larger story, a story of a great struggle between worlds and kingdoms where the old myths of magic, evil contracts, and enslaved children turn out to be real. Hamelin Stoop offers all the best qualities of the young adult fantasy novel: a fast-paced narrative that seamlessly mixes the wondrous with the everyday; a careful juggling of diverse characters who appear and disappear at just the right moment; a slow, organic unfolding of secrets and mysteries. And something more. In the tradition of George MacDonald, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien, Robert Sloan offers three things that have been lacking in modern fantasy: a deep and nuanced understanding of the true nature of good and evil; an equally nuanced understanding of the true nature of masculinity and femininity; a thoughtful meditation on the nature of providence and free will that takes seriously the consequences of our choices . . . even, and especially, when they are made by children. --Louis Markos, C.S. Lewis Scholar Robert B. Sloan is known for his leadership in higher education, public speaking and non-fiction writings. He has spoken and written about topics both popular and technical. He has been a professor, minister, Little League coach, small business owner, school board trustee and chairman, chairman of the board of an NYSE company, and a university president for over 20 years. After 12 years of work, he has finished his first fiction piece (Hamelin Stoop)--something he had always wanted to do. Robert is a native Texan, but has enjoyed living in New Jersey, England, and Germany. He is married to his college sweetheart, Sue, and they have seven married children and 20 young grandchildren. They enjoy large family gatherings, which include good food and lively conversation, games, and storytelling.