Description

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Author Brandon Hoang takes readers on a high-stakes adventure through Vietnam in search of an ancient magical crossbow in this debut middle-grade fantasy that Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender calls "a must-read"!

When Vietnamese American Freddie Lo finds herself in Vietnam for the first time since she was little, she's not quite sure how to feel. The memories of her extended family are more like distant echoes; she has a tough time speaking Vietnamese; and she can't help but feel like she just isn't Vietnamese enough. Still, this is her chance to reconnect with her family, especially her Ong ngoai -- or grandfather -- who is receiving a big award.

That's when Ong ngoai reveals his secret: He knows the location of an ancient legendary crossbow, one with the power to decimate armies -- and he's hidden it away from those who intend to use its magic for evil. But when Ong ngoai is kidnapped, it's up to Freddie, her cousin Lien, and a mysterious boy named Duy to get to the crossbow before it ends up in the wrong hands.

In this Indiana Jones-style adventure, readers will travel through Vietnam -- from its seaside villages, to the swamps of the Mekong Delta, to the majestic Marble Mountains of Da Nang -- as Freddie learns what it takes to be a hero.

About the Author

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Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brandon Hoàng grew up coveting The Baby-Sitters Club books and slurping noodles. Before he was a writer, Brandon spent ten years as an animation executive. He has worked on series such as Avatar: The Legend of Korra, SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Ghost and Molly McGee. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters.

Praise For…

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Praise for The Crossbow of Destiny

“A dazzling blend of Vietnamese culture and fascinating folklore. With heart-pounding adventure and a heroine as brave as she is clever, this tale is a must-read for anyone who loves their fantasy with a dash of wonder and a whole lot of heart!” --Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender

“The perfect blend of laugh-out-loud funny and Indiana Jones adventure. Freddie is a delightful character, at once a kid figuring out how to be both Vietnamese and American, and a bold hero I would follow into the jungle any time!” --Julie C. Dao, critically acclaimed author of the Team Chu series and the Rise of the Empress series

“A hilarious and adventurous romp through Vietnam full of vivid details, mouth-watering food, and jungly action. You’ll love hanging out with Freddie as she rediscovers her identity and history, navigates friendships, and perhaps most frightening of all, endures the jokes of her Vietnamese aunties and uncles.” --Van Hoang, award-winning author of Girl Giant and the Monkey

“A middle-grade fantasy that has it all, from the magical intrigue of traditional Vietnamese mythology, to a modern-day cross-country adventure punctuated with both heart-stopping action scenes and humor, to a wonderfully genuine exploration of what it means to be family. Freddie leads a cast of characters that shines from page one, and I fell in love with them all (along with Hoàng’s mouth-watering descriptions of Vietnemese food!). Readers will absolutely adore The Crossbow of Destiny.” --Elsie Chapman, award-winning author of The Scroll of Chaos