11 year old William is desperate for an adventure like the kind he sees in the movies. When he discovers a dull grey metal box under a hedge in his yard he opens it to reveal the first of a tangle of mysteries that leads him to a secret room behind the movie screen in the old theater. With the help of his best friend Marie, he slowly begins to piece together why there is a lone cornstalk growing in his neighbors back yard, why its surrounded by lanterns, and why someone is out to get their hands on the box and its contents. It's up to William and Marie to investigate the clues as they try to sort out why the box was under the hedge. Will they be able to figure it all out before it's too late? The "Pop-ulation" of Stock om is in desperate need of the brave duo. Trouble is, no one knows it yet.

The days are boring in Shuckersville lately and 11 year old William is desperate for an adventure like the kind he sees in the movies. He has almost lost all hope of ever finding something exciting to be a part of. Everything changes one morning when he discovers a dull grey metal box under a hedge in his yard. Opening it reveals the first of a tangle of mysteries that leads him to a secret room behind the movie screen in the old theater. William must pay attention to the details as he experiences the events that unfold. With the help of his best friend Marie, he slowly begins to piece together why there is a lone cornstalk growing in his neighbors back yard, why its surrounded by lanterns, and why someone is out to get their hands on the box and its contents. William and Marie face one hurdle after the next in their search for answers. It's up to them to investigate the clues as they try to sort out why the box was under the hedge. At first, the kids have no idea the magnitude of what they are involved in but as time ticks by they began to understand. Tensions are high as the realize they are running out of time. Will they be able to figure it all out before it's too late? The "Pop-ulation" of Stock om is in desperate need of the brave duo. Trouble is, no one knows it yet.

Toni enjoys traveling, reading, and going to the movies (and has loved popcorn for as long as she can remember). During her travels she has visited movie theaters in several different countries around the world and has found magic in all of them. While she sometimes prefers to escape reality between the pages of a book or in a dark movie theater experiencing fantastic adventures with fictional characters she relishes time spent at home with her husband. As an avid animal lover, Toni spends time with her horses; Fiona, Rohan, and Guinness; chickens; Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, dog Berkley and cat Duchess (don't mention to Duchess she was listed last). Toni is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.