The first book in the children's fantasy series - Max Hamby. It's the last week of school. With sunny days ahead and no more tests or bullies, life for Max Hamby is about to get alot better.....until he crashes into an odd exhibit at the local museum. Strange things begin to happen. When Max's mother disappears, he's left in the care of his eccentric neighbor where lawn gnomes come to life and a bird meows. Mrs. Pitt shows him that magic is real and not all like the fairytales he once knew. The discovery leads him to Merrihaven, where even stranger things await, including a dwarf, a troll and a couple of pixies. He quickly finds himself at the center of a battle between good and evil. Someone has resurrected the Shadowstone to free the evil imprisoned inside. Max must summon the courage to find seven magical stones to save his mother and stop the evil, before it's too late.