Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle Page 25

  Shivering in the wintry night, a robin perched by the window and listened intently to the conversation within. It had been waiting by the Finley house for weeks, huddling over the chimney, keeping its head close to the window glass, hoping to hear more about the torc.

  The silver circle around its neck burned terribly.

  Acknowledgments

  I thank my wonderful wife, Terri Seligman, for her enthusiastic support and many readings, and Lola Hagen, my muse and first young reader. Sophie and Brooklyn Hagen asked for stories every morning on the walk to school; there is no better way to learn storytelling. Thanks also to Elizabeth Bogner for her comments on the manuscript and to Noa Scheidlower, who gave me a thumbs-up!

  My appreciation also goes to Lee Wade, Rachael Cole, Colleen Fellingham, Tim Terhune, Scott Bakal, Jake Parker, Annie Kelley, and Stephanie Pitts for their super contributions.

  Finally, a very warm thanks to my fabulous editor, Anne Schwartz, who asked all the wise, tough, and brilliant questions that made this story as much fun to write as I hope it is to read.

  George Hagen is the author of two novels for adults: The Laments, a Washington Post bestseller and recipient of the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, which Publishers Weekly called “a funny, touching novel about the meaning of family”; and Tom Bedlam, which was described by Booklist as “Dickensian in scope and spirit.… Shot through with humor, and populated with a cast of eccentric charmers.”

  George had lived on three continents by the time he was twelve. The father of three children, he now lives in Brooklyn, New York. This is his first book for kids. To learn more about him, visit georgehagen.com.