High-tech gadgetry and ancient magic has done little to aid in the centuries old search for Santa's rogue assistant, Servant Rupert. But Servant Rupert has been searching for someone too - the fabled Pole, the one person who can see Santa. But the search hasn't fared well for Servant Rupert. To make matters worse his agents have contacted Santa's forces wishing to defect. A risky plan is quickly set in motion by Santa's Special Forces to divulge the location of Jakob Jablonski, the Pole, in hopes it will lead to the capture of Santa's forever naughty helper. Wasting little time, Servant Rupert recklessly contacts Jakob.
In the ensuing mayhem live snowmen deliver curse letters, a neighborhood boy is turned to smoke and Jakob is drawn into the mystery of Santa and his dastardly rogue assistant when proclaimed a Pole by the attacking smoke form of Servant Rupert. He quickly demands that Jakob catch Santa...or he will turn everyone Jakob cares for into coal! Jakob and his band of friends, partnering with elf spies and rogue agents of Servant Rupert, begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot involving more than just catching Santa. Now it is up to Jakob and his friends to set a trap to lure SR out into the open using Santa as the bait.
In his exquisitely written fantasy debut and 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner, David M. F. Powers, aka Marc Franco creates an original yet simple world while staying true the traditions of Santa. Jakob's adventurous journey to self-acceptance of his destiny is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.
2011 Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner (Children's/Juvenile Fiction)
Accelerated Reader Quiz #150476 (BL: 4.5, Pts: 9, MG)