The Ryder

About this book

In this fantasy-adventure story, David, 13 years old, and his 10 year old sister Jessica have been sent to their grandparents' farm in BC's Cariboo region. Their parents have recently separated and both children are in need of a rest and healing. Soon after their arrival, Grandpa shows them a very special book "a large, ancient-looking book", with a lock. Inside the book is a "picture of two children standing on a path in the middle of a dark and misty forest." Underneath are the cryptic worlds: WHEN LOST IN THE MYSTERIOUS FOREST THROUGH ENEMY LAND HE RIDES CALL FOR HIM AND HE WILL BE THE LIGHT WHERE DARKNESS HIDES. On the other page is the picture of a man surrounded by brightness, astride a beautiful white horse. As the children gaze upon this picture, they are suddenly transported to the land of Antoch, on a distant planet, where an evil king has taken over the land. The children are then enlisted to assist "The Ryder" to take back the kingdom for Himself and restore peace, love, and harmony to His people.

Themes & subjects

About the author

Carrie Wachsmann

Born into a Mennonite family, Carrie spent her childhood in a small farming community in southern Manitoba. After she married, she and her husband moved to British Columbia, where they still make their home in charming Abbotsford. Carrie's interest in the arts began as a young girl. An imaginative child, she loved to draw, read, write and listen to stories. Their school library consisted of a mere three short shelves of books, not nearly enough to satisfy her need for creative reading and story-telling. After school Carrie would often run home to sit down beside their old fashioned, console radio and listen to Aunt Ollie - a half hour program where Aunt Ollie read fables, mysteri…