He's ready to leave kid-dom behind. But can he stand tall against an army of barf-inducing beasts? Toby Baxter can't wait to be a teenager. On the cusp of turning thirteen, the superhero-obsessed boy's jaw drops when a baffling stranger appears and begs him for help. But when he's led through a portal on a whirlwind trip to a magical land, he's terrified to be plunged mid-battle between elves and a legion of stinky trolls. Bewildered and queasy, Toby is confused when his new friends claim he is the hero who will lead them to victory. And now only his dangerous quest to retrieve a legendary slaying sword can save his skin… and turn the tide of war. Can this newly minted teen become a real warrior and rise up as the strange realm's savior? The Adventures of Toby Baxter: The River Elf, The Giant, and the Closet is a high-flying middle grade fantasy. If you like daring journeys, hilarious characters, and heartfelt lessons about confidence, then you'll love Tim Wright's timeless tale.

Can a 13-year-old boy save a group of elves from terrifying trolls with no skills or powers to help him? Toby Baxter is a huge superhero comic book fan. He has the comic books to prove it. But on his 13th birthday, when he's called to be a hero in a strange land on the other side of his closet wall, he's sure he is the wrong kid for the job. He has no skills. He has no superpowers. And the sword that called him to this strange land has been captured by the trolls. Surrounded by a family of River Elves, Toby heads out on a dangerous quest to take back the sword. Along the way he meets gnomes, wolves, flying drones, and a giant who only he can see. As he and the River Elves move closer to danger, Toby is forced to face his greatest fears, learn how to do bodily functions in the forest, and choose how he will use the sword if and when he gets it back. Will Toby choose the right path and be the hero the river Elves believe him to be?

Tim is the co-host of the Wonder of Parenting Podcast: A Brain-Science Approach to Parenting, along with Dr. Michael Gurian. Tim and Michael have created several Rites of Passage experiences for middle school age boys and girls and their parents. Tim and his wife, Jan, have two adult children and five grandchildren. Tim lives in Phoenix, AZ, and is an avid Arizona Cardinals fan.