Nobody takes a teddy seriously — and that might just save Teddy’s life. Not that he’ll notice; Teddy is too focused on reaching the lady of his dreams, avoiding a vomiting baby and finding a way to get from Aberystwyth to Clehonger, despite being unable to read a map. Behind the scenes, things are moving. Dark things. Dark things that would happily kill an idealistic Teddy who’s bumbling through the big, wide world. But the biggest threat is to Teddy’s dreams. Will a world of cynical animals and indifferent humans drain him of his hopes and wide-eyed trust, or will he find a way to escape danger while holding on to his naive belief that he can do something amazing? And what does it all have to do with The Darkgate?

When you've annoyed a Yorebear, things are never again the same. Teddy and Gundy have been warned that The Yorebear is awake, and he's almost certainly coming after them. All they have to stop him are the contents of a notebook, written over four hundred years ago, which doesn't seem to hold the slightest hint how to prevent him from killing them both. But it's worse than that. Teddy's family are also involved — Simon, Joanne, three-year-old Bertie and little baby Oli — they've all helped Teddy, or been seen with him, and they're all targets for The Yorebear's next attack. Oddly, however, The Yorebear's first strike is in a completely unexpected place, as ruthless as it is sudden; so, as well as trying to protect those he loves, Teddy has to risk all to help out some old freinds who have been badly affected. Teddy and Gundy will need to work together to overcome the fear all around them, to defend their family, and face a possible war. It's a lot to ask of two stuffed toys. And, creeping unseen, a force lurks in the woods that could push everyone to their limits, and beyond.

Covers contemporary authors and works that have enjoyed commercial success in the United States but are typically neglected by more "literary" guides. Provides high school and college students with everything they need to know to understand the authors and works of American popular fiction.