Balance Keepers, Book 1: The Fires of Calderon

The Fires of Calderon is Book One in #1 New York Times bestselling author Lindsay Cummings’s epic Balance Keepers series. These exciting fantasy-adventure books are full of magic, mystery, friendship, and humor, and are perfect for fans of books like Brandon Mull’s The Candy Shop War or the Unwanteds series by Lisa McMann.

Bestselling author of the Skeleton Creek series Patrick Carman describes The Fires of Calderon as “fast paced and packed with adventure,” and Peter Lerangis, bestselling author of the Seven Wonders series, says, “Wow!”

With themes of friendship, self-discovery, and courage; both boy and girl main characters; fierce creatures to battle; a mystery to solve; and a boarding school that could be described as Hogwarts Underground, there’s something for every reader to enjoy in this contemporary—and fantastically imaginative—spin on the classic A Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

When eleven-year-old Albert Flynn follows a mysterious map deep into the woods, and then under the woods, he discovers he’s a Balance Keeper—someone with special magical skills for keeping harmony in fantastical underground worlds. Together with his teammates Leroy and Birdie, Albert must master his magical talents in time to stop the fires in the Calderon Realm from destroying New York City above.

There are many strange creatures in Albert Flynn's new home at the center of the earth, but none are as awesome as Albert himself. He's learned he's a Balance Keeper—someone with special magical skills for fixing problems in three underground Realms. His new job in the Core is important; if the realms of Calderon, Belltroll, or Ponderay fall out of balance, the world above could be in great danger.

Albert and his Balance Keeper teammates Birdie and Leroy arrive in the Core not a moment too soon. There's an Imbalance in Calderon that's threatening to bury New York City in a mountain of ash. They must train hard if there's any hope for restoring balance.

They must also harness the power of their Tiles—unique superpowers given to each Balance Keeper. Birdie and Leroy have their powers down, and much to their dismay, so does Hoyt, their archrival in the training competitions. Albert . . . well, Albert's mastered the art of not mastering his Tile.

With the situation in Calderon growing worse every day, can Albert, Leroy, and Birdie restore balance before New York is destroyed forever? Will Albert master his Tile before it's too late?

Packed with action, humor, magic, and mystery, Balance Keepers: The Fires of Calderon is Book One in Lindsay Cummings's epic fantasy adventure series.

“Reminiscent at times of Journey to the Center of the Earth...a smart choice for younger readers, who will find in Albert and his friends great role models.” - ALA Booklist

“There are some engaging elements in this first book of a planned trilogy...Brisk plotting and multiple action scenes...a satisfying choice.” - School Library Journal

“A powerhouse debut filled with imagination and sneaky humor.” - Peter Lerangis, New York Times bestselling author of the Seven Wonders series

“Balance Keepers transported me, as if my magic, into a world I didn’t want to leave and wished was real. Fast-paced and packed with adventure-a real gem.” - Patrick Carman, bestselling author of the Skeleton Creek series and the Floors trilogy

“A wild, enchanting adventure I could not put down.” - Roland Smith, author of Peak and Cryptid Hunters