An official selection of the National Battle of the Books, the first entry in the award-winning Red Hand Adventures series is an action-packed journey through a colonial Morocco filled with pirates, bandits, and cruel warlords. Orphaned as a small child, twelve-year-old Tariq has relied on his wits and bravery to survive on the streets of Tangier—until he unexpectedly wakes one morning in a dark cell. Surrounded by other terrified children and helped by the handsome and friendly Aseem, he soon learns his fate—he's been kidnapped and will be sold to the highest bidder. Along with the quiet, intelligent Fez and plucky British schoolgirl Margaret, Tariq and Aseem are sent to the remote desert kasbah of Caid Ali Tamzali, ruler of the Rif Mountains. Pressed into a deadly contest for the entertainment of the evil warlord, the four must act quickly to escape before almost certain death—or worse. Although aided by a beautiful assassin and a small but clever band of resistance fighters, their lives depend on their own teamwork, inventiveness, and courage. This fast-paced historical adventure, set in 1912, transports readers from Tangier's corrupt slave markets to the wild frontier of the Moroccan desert, the heart of ancient China, and the pirate-infested seas of the Mediterranean. Faced with perilous challenges, the young clan must learn to overcome their cultural differences and forge a new family for themselves built on trust and loyalty. For fans of Kipling, Jack London, and the Indiana Jones series, the first award-winning book in the Red Hand Adventures series, , is a modern, multi-cultural twist on the classic adventure novel and an exhilarating tale for middle readers that is filled with daring, danger, and friendship.