Product Description

The secret enemy is here.
It hides in darkness,
fools beware!

A mysterious danger threatens Rowan's village, Rin. But who is the enemy? And what is the strange spell that is putting all the townspeople to sleep?

The Travelers, a roaming people who are friends of Rin, might be able to help, but Rowan isn't sure he can trust them. Especially since they tell him that to find the answers to Rin's problems, Rowan must go to the legendary, noxious Pit of Unrin, from which no living thing has ever returned.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #238075 in Books
• Published on: 2004-02
• Released on: 2004-02-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780060560720
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Emily Rodda's Rowan and the Travelers follows up on the magic begun in Rowan of Rin. Now, Rowan struggles to understand the mysterious sleeping sickness that takes over the town with the arrival of a nomadic tribe called the Travelers.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Gr 3-6-In this sequel to Rowan of Rin (Greenwillow, 2001), the small but courageous protagonist has yet another adventure that proves heroism comes in many sizes. When an unexpected visit, and just as sudden departure, by the traditionally itinerant Travelers is followed by a mysterious sleeping sickness that descends on the village, Rowan and his companion must journey far to find the answers, and the protagonist takes a harrowing trip across the horrific Pit of Unrin. Rodda's likable characters, fast-paced action, tantalizing mystery, and unpredictable story line make for an exciting read. There are several references to the earlier title, but this one stands on its own and readers will look forward to more tales about the indomitable Rowan.

Trish Anderson, Pinkerton Elementary School, Coppell, TX

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 3-6. In this sequel to Rowan of Rin [BKL My 1 01], the young bukshah herder once again finds himself at the center of village turmoil. This time the arrival of a nomadic tribe, the Travelers, has caused consternation among Rin's residents. In quick succession, the villagers decide not to discuss their new mountain berry crop; a medicine woman predicts that an enemy has arrived in town; and townsfolk begin dropping into a deep sleep. Only Rowan and half-Traveler Allun are left standing to find the mysterious enemy. Once again Rodda's fantasy world, a folkloric Anytime, becomes a vivid reality for readers, and it's filled with believable characters that deal with problems that seem very contemporary, right down to a thoughtful commentary on tampering with nature: when Rowan journeys through the Pit of Unrin, for example, he discovers that the carnivorous trees that killed life in the valley are actually a mature version of the sweet-smelling plant just introduced in his village. This worthy sequel succeeds on many levels: as adventure, as a tale of the weak triumphing over the mighty, and as an environmental alert. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal
I am Rowan Quinain, Jr. I am 8+ years old in third grade.

I read the latest Rowan book for my fiction report at school. Every month, we have to read a book, then do a written report or make a project of the book we read.

My mom suggested, that I read Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal because she reads the review and she told me that it was a very interesting book.

We had difficulty getting the book through bookstores. My mom was told that it will be available this summer yet.So, my dad went to amazon.com and he was able to order it from amazon.

I like the story because the main character has the same name as me and my dad. Also, the story is about a boy's courage, his love for his mom, and his adventures. Rowan is an intelligent boy, because being a chooser of the Keeper of the Crystal is a difficult task. I also learned team-work among the candidates.

The second fantasy about our unlikely hero, Rowan
After his unlikey heroism in Rowan of Rin, Rowan is still very much the weak boy he once was. However he has more tests in front of him. When the nomadic tribe, the Travelers, come to their village many of the townspeople are not amused. Just after their arrival a second mysterious threat to his isolated village prompts the humble herd boy introduced in Rowan to gather up all his courage. When the sleeping sickness takes over his village an all that is left standing is Rown and half-traverler-Allun they must work together to find the hidden enemy. At first they suspect the Travelers, but the travelers seem just as puzzled as they are. While attempting to find the travelers he finds himself in the company of Zeel, a hated Zebak invader raised as a Traveler, attempting to enter the fabled Valley of Gold by passing through its only entrance, the ill-reputed Pit of Unrin. He must pass many challenges before he can save his people. Will his courage stand up to the evil forces again?

Emily Rodda does it again by making Rowan one of the most unlikely heros of our times!

A good continuation of Rowan's story.
Rowan may have survived the dangerous journey up the Mountain and become a hero to the people of Rin, but he's still timid and afraid. Yet his courage is about to be tested again. Soon after the Travelers, a wandering tribe, arrive in Rin, the villagers all fall prey to a mysterious sleeping sickness. Only Rowan and one other villager escape. At first they suspect the Travelers, but the tribe is just as puzzled as they are. They do agree to help, and along with a Traveler girl, Rowan sets out to find the cause of the sickness by solving a difficult riddle. Their journey takes them to a valley full of deadly perils. Rowan may be scared, but to save his family and his village, he will have to face his fears. Readers who enjoyed Rowan of Rin, the first book about Rowan, will love this sequel and look forward to the next two books in the series.