Secrets of the Shield: A Novel

In the remote wilderness of the Canadian Shield, eleven-year-old Sam lives a peaceful, quiet life—until Wing arrives. Sam’s intrigued by the Indigenous girl who has come to stay with his family for the summer. She’s quiet and seemingly good at everything. But after a chilling run-in with a reclusive neighbor, Sam and Wing uncover a shared secret from their past—the truth about the tragedy that took Wing’s parents nine years ago and altered Sam’s life irrevocably—and a danger far greater than either could imagine. As the threat closes in, Sam and Wing find unexpected allies: an order of ancient beavers, led by the mysterious Masata, and Kyree, a magnificent birdlike creature who seems to know their destinies. Together, they must prepare to face a terrible evil in an epic battle for the survival of the planet. Perfect for fans of Impossible Creatures and Beyond the Bright Sea, Brian Kelsall’s Secrets of the Shield is a page-turning tale of courage, friendship, love, and tenacity—even when all seems lost.

• Publication date: 4 August 2026
• Page count: 268
• Dimensions: Height 223 mm; Width 149 mm; Thickness 24 mm
• Publisher: Girl Friday Productions
• Format: Hardback
• ISBN-13: 9781967510573