A hopeful tale for a cynical age.

In the Cold War's wake ...

A child of the New World restores a monarchy of the Old -- aided by, and in tribute to, "the piecemeal graces": the folks who do much and are seen little.

Inspired by true events, true promises, and just a bit of whimsy.

"Charmingly profound and simply elegant. ... At once a taste of that childlike longing and a hint of its adult consolation."

-Christopher S.M. Lyon, author of A Crown of Radiant Night and The Shattered Lands of Dawn

Synopsis:

The year is 1995: The time of kings, warriors, and despots is officially over and the "end of history" has come. But one small foray into the distant past, to preserve an uncertain future, comes from an unlikely source. Grandson of a mysterious immigrant, Leander Reis (Rey-is) -- a somewhat lonesome 11-year-old who is "just like any kid" -- has an unusual coming-of-age when he discovers a neglected old artbook that tells the story of a deposed royal: its own artist! At first wanting only to maximize the value of the autographed book for his own gain, Leander unwittingly begins a process to return the still-living man to his murdered parents' throne and restore an occupied former kingdom. In the process, a measured sort of glory is snatched from the jaws of defeatism, with "Peter Vick" -- the ubiquitous prince -- becoming separated "man from myth, with the purpose of reuniting the pieces anew". Thanks to the help of his friend the Professor Maxim J. Overbody and a diverse cast of characters, Leander also learns a thing or two about human nature, friendship, duty, courage, liberty, and grace. Told from an initially American perspective with universal themes flourishing throughout, this cosmopolitan "defense of history" is a classically inspired tale set in modern times -- with much to tell today.

Begun as a challenge levied by the author's first-ever class of fifth-graders (in Leander, Texas), Kid Kingmaker -- like the titular protagonist -- matured as a thematic work throughout its development. Tightly written yet chock-full of historical and literary references, it was intended primarily as an introduction to the "philosophy of history" for older students -- but also a beautifully vivid sensory experience for adult readers of all ages, who have ever thought (even a little) about the experiences of childhood and what it takes to become one's best for the sake of "the world we inherit".