The Dragon Lantern

Archie Dent is convinced that he and his friends Hachi and Fergus are the first three members of a new League of Seven: a group of heroes who come together to fight the Mangleborn whenever the monsters arise to destroy humanity. His belief is put to the test when they are forced to undertake separate missions. Archie and his faithful Tik-Tok servant, Mr. Rivets, pursue a shapeshifting girl who has stolen the Dragon Lantern, an ancient artifact with mysterious powers. And Hachi and Fergus travel to New Orleans to find Madame Blavatsky, the only person who knows the circumstances surrounding the death of Hachi's father.

In the course of their adventures the three heroes meet potential candidates to join their League. At the same time, they learn deep-rooted secrets that could destroy the League forever.

“An enticing alternate history presents an America in which Native tribes have as much power and presence as Yankees... . Gratz has created an imaginative world with appeal far beyond its immediate middle-grade market. - -Publishers Weekly on The League of Seven "An unusual twist to the familiar teens-saving-the-Earth-from-monsters trope: The protagonist is both archetypal hero and, at least potentially, nemesis." - -Kirkus Reviews on The League of Seven "Mr. Gratz, your writings were compelling and ingenious." - Travis, Age 16, YA Galley Reviewer, on The Dragon Lantern”

""The League of Seven" is amazingly interesting, unique, and captivating. From the steam-powered, clockwork-run 1870s setting to the persistent protagonist to the fresh takes on important historical events and figures, the novel is hard to put down. Although it is written for a middle school audience, it also provides a clean, fast-paced romp for older students who do not mind an easy read." --VOYA Teen Reviewer 5Q, 4P M J on "The League of Seven"

"An enticing alternate history presents an America in which Native tribes have as much power and presence as Yankees.... Gratz has created an imaginative world with appeal far beyond its immediate middle-grade market." --"Publishers Weekly "on "The League of Seven" "This hybrid of steampunk and alternate American history features... three highly likable leads in a yarn rip-roaring from start to finish." --"Booklist "on "The League of Seven" "An unusual twist to the familiar teens-saving-the-Earth-from-monsters trope: The protagonist is both archetypal hero and, at least potentially, nemesis." --"Kirkus Reviews "on "The League of Seven"

Alan Gratz is the author of many books for children and teens, including Samurai Shortstop, an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults. He began writing The League of Seven series by listing all the things that ten-year-old Alan would have thought were awesome, including brass goggles, airships, tentacled monsters, brains in jars, windup robots, secret societies, and superpowers. (In fact, he still thinks all those things are awesome.) He lives in North Carolina with his wife and daughter.

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