Lu Shun is eleven years old, lives with his grandfather and doesn?t go to school with the other children. The people of the town say theyare hiding a secret, and maybe it?s true. During the winter, hisgrandfather teaches him the art of calligraphy and in the spring theyset off to tell stories in the villages. But his peaceful life isshattered when his grandfather is captured and forced to work on theGreat Wall of China. Lu Shun will have to overcome many dangers before reuniting with his grandfather and his friend Du Li, but destiny hasa more ambitious plan in store for him. A wonderful novel about thepower of words and the magic of writing set in the time of the QinDynasty.