A debut children's fantasy adventure
The Secret of Elderstone
by Claire Azim
About the Book
Every city has two stories. The one we build above the ground … and the one sleeping beneath it.
Milan doesn't understand why his sister Nila is trying so hard to save Elderstone Park. To him it's just weeds, rubbish and an old oak tree — nowhere near as exciting as the gaming arcade set to replace it.
But when Nila doesn't come home one evening, Milan goes looking for her and discovers that Elderstone is not what it seems. Guided by the mysterious Amaya, Milan enters a hidden world beneath the city, where buried rivers are drying up, the deep fire is growing hotter and the earth is beginning to crack.
As the damage beneath the city spreads, threatening both worlds, Milan must follow Nila's trail before it's too late — and discover a courage he never knew he had.
For readers aged 8–11
Pre-order Your Copy
The Secret of Elderstone publishes April 2027. Pre-order now to be among the first to read it.
Themes & Inspiration
A story about courage, nature, and the world beneath our feet
Nature & the Environment
Elderstone Park is under threat — and beneath it, a hidden world is suffering. The story weaves a love of the natural world into every chapter.
Courage & Family
Milan's journey is one of unexpected bravery. A story about what we discover about ourselves when someone we love needs us.
Hidden Worlds
Inspired by the idea that magic lives just beneath the surface of the ordinary — in parks, rivers, and the cracks in old cobblestones.