Book excerpt: The Oscuros Forest is a place to be feared, inhabited by mythical characters of Caribbean lore. Everyone in Alcavere knows that. But when a disappearance shakes the village, twelve-year-old JV finds himself deep in the forest making surprising alliances in the name of a rescue mission--uncovering in the process, a shocking secret that will force him to question everything he thought he knew.AwardsThe Protectors' Pledge is the third place winner of the 2016 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature sponsored by CODE. NGC Bocas Lit Fest is a partner in the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature.Review of The Protectors' Pledge"Exciting and fun filled . . . The tale is emotionally alive with vivid, engaging characters, memorable scenes, full of magic and light . . . Sprinkled with beautiful prose and descriptions." -2016 Burt Award Judges