A riveting, magical escapade about finding friendship and the courage
to set yourself free against all odds.
Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underground, in a half-bombed power
station, 12-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma keeps his head down and hopes he
can earn his freedom from the evil Tabitha Margate. Then one day he
discovers he can see things that others can't. Ghostly things. A ghostly
girl named Alma, who can bend the shape of clouds to her will and rides
them through the night sky.
With Alma's help, Luke discovers his own innate powers and uncovers the
terrible truth of why Tabatha is kidnapping children and forcing them to
shovel coal. Desperate to escape, Luke teams up with Alma, his best
friend Ravi, and new girl Jess. Can Luke and his friends get away before
they each become victims to a cruel and sinister scheme?
Debut author Michael Mann delivers a wildly imaginative middle grade
fantasy set in a smoke-stained world that's sure to entertain readers
who are eager for an adventure with paranormal superpowers.
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year