The Firestone

Captured!  Fatty Strudelfeld and his friends Marty Fernfoot and Tommy Bracegirdle having a quiet drink in the “Cock ‘n’ Feathers” inn are caught in a fierce attack by a gang of lawless fanglein thugs.  After a desperate fight, the friends are force-marched and imprisoned in the dreaded Fortress.

Marty, Tommy and Fatty become entangled in the intense conflict over the magnificent but lethal gem called the Firestone – between Despostor, the ruthless, manipulative Leaders of the Guardians, and D’nescha, a disguised elf-lord who befriends them.

Fatty gets separated from his friends, and alone in the dark in a deep ravine, he tries to rescue D’nescha’s pack which contains the Firestone, but to his horror he in confronted by two terrifying enemies.  Desperately finding his courage, Fatty holds his ground against them.  Against all his hopes, help arrives, but Fatty learns that even when you win you pay a price.

Once Harry Potter fans find out about Barbara Barry's The Firestone, they will make this absolutely fascinating and riveting story for youngsters a monster hit.  Fatty, Marty and Tommy have amazing adventures that will surely make them honorary wizards.

Jack Valenti,
Chairman, Motion  Picture Association

The Firestone is a wonderful story, with engaging characters. It has such narrative drive that I found myself wanting to turn pages to find out what would happen next in the dark, oppressive Fortress mines or what would become of the Firestone. This book will certainly attract many enthusiastic fans.

Joseph S. Nye
Dean, John F. Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University

Stunning! A fantasy tale with three interwoven adventures, with the common goal of a precious gem. As the characters pursue their search, through humor and heartbreak, they discover that the real search is for who they are themselves.

Rabbi Joseph Polak
Director, Hillel Foundation, Boston University

The Firestone is a fun story in the same genre as Harry Potter and ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ You will enter a new world – one that Barbara Barry has laid before us – when you navigate this fantastical journey with Fatty and the rest of his entourage.

David Gergen
Advisor to Four Presidents, and
Director, Center for Public Leadership
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University

Barbara Barry has done it again.  This time, however, she has taken a leap beyond mere fantasy because her heroes are not super-empowered -- no magic wands or flying brooms or invisibility cloaks -- but all-too-human youngsters who cope with very real dangers armed with nothing but their own courage and resourcefulness.  What an important metaphor for the challenges we all face at the dawn of the 21st century, and what a grand lesson for what it's going to take to get us through it.

Mickey Edwards
Former Congressman, and
John Quincy Adams Lecturer in Legislative Politics
Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University

Barbara Barry's The Firestone captures the reader in its amazing world. Its adventures are thick with treachery and full of unexpected courage. Be warned - take up this book and you'll be riveted to the last page.

Dr. Elizabeth McGregor
Director, Knowledge Translation
Ottawa, Canada

The delightful and offbeat characters, many plot twists and vivid language make this a great story for reading aloud - preferably around a cozy fire.

Kim Campbell
Former Prime Minister of Canada

The Firestone is both a powerful and engaging book for young and older readers alike. This exceptional fantasy book has depth, with multi-dimensional characters and rich, timely ideas...good vs. evil, betrayal, the struggle for power, the need for courage to stand up against larger, menacing enemies...that Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fans can identify with.

Warren Bennis
University Professor, University of Southern California, and author of ‘Geeks and Geezers: How Era, Values and Defining Moments Shape Leaders’