Book excerpt: Tag begins his warrior training to become an Owl of Valor, in this action-packed fantasy series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Tag and Skyla have returned to Perodia to begin their warrior training. But when their friend Blaze returns with troubling news that her mother has gone missing, Tag and Skyla’s warrior skills are quickly put to the test. To find Blaze’s mother, the friends must travel to a creepy world below the ground called The Underland. There, they meet a terrible new enemy: a king rat named Skull, who has his own big plans for Perodia! Will the friends be able to defeat this new enemy? Or will The Shadow return to Perodia once again... This fully illustrated series makes a great introduction to fantasy and quest stories for younger readers!