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.

Tim Wright's newest book is a fun page-turner, just what you'd want it to be if kids are going to read it. Meanwhile, I'm an adult and thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot is action-packed. The characters are iconic. The interactions glow with real life and hidden layers of soulfulness. While this novel follows along the path of Lord of the Rings, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Harry Potter, the sense of humor in Toby Baxter's adventures, and the wrestling this boy does with feelings, family, and manhood resonates as profoundly contemporary. A wonderful read for children and adults. Pass it out to everyone you know. 
--Michael Gurian, New York Times bestselling author of The Wonder of Boys and The Stone Boys

As a teacher with forty years of classroom experience, I have found that boys are constantly looking for role models, asking what it means to be a man. Tim Wright, with his book, The Adventures of Toby Baxter, has given boys insight into that issue and parents a vehicle for discussing that topic with their child. The story itself is a whimsical fantasy that takes newly 13-year-old Toby on a wild adventure involving giants, elves, trolls, strong male and female characters, and even the Arizona Cardinals. Through his adventure Toby, just as his father before him, finds his "power" and begins the journey to manhood. Tim's use of the acronym H.E.R.O. (Honorable Enterprising Responsible Original) becomes the foundation for Toby's growth as an individual and an excellent place to start a conversation between parents and sons--and between parents and daughters for that matter. It's definitely a book to be shared. Can't wait for Toby's next adventure to begin. --Mike Shelton, Educator

In The Adventures of Toby Baxter: The River Elf, The Giant and The Closet, Tim Wright has created a rite of passage story for tween and early teen boys and girls that is sure to capture their imaginations! Filled with all the requisite elements of a great fantasy adventure, Toby encounters elves, trolls, and other magical creatures as he discovers what it means to be a Hero. The plot is engaging and fast-paced, so it will appeal to readers who like a story that keeps moving. At the same time, it will challenge readers to examine deeper issues like what it means to really live by one's values, especially when faced with situations that call those values into question. Parents and teachers who join with young people in reading this novel will find many opportunities for rich discussions that can help boys define who they want to be as they grow into men, starting with the all-important question: How will you use your power? --Eva Dwight, MEd, CPDT

With a touch of fantasy magic, thirteen year old Toby Baxter is transported to a land of elves, trolls, and giants to discover what it means to grow into a man. Wright's storytelling will appeal to kids and parents who are looking for adventure and a hero they can relate to.  Entertaining and yet timely, Toby Baxter will capture your heart.
--Linda Cooper, B.S. in Ed., M.A.

An 'epic' read that will not only delight and inspire, but which will also become a trusted companion, that offers deep affirmation, wise counsel, and unending hope for all young people as they navigate their own journey on the way of life.
--Pastor Mark Schultz, LifeWay Lutheran Church, Australia, fan of Australian Rules Football

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.

From Tim:

The Adventures of Toby Baxter is a story birthed out of three experiences: 1) My love for fantasy adventures;  2) My work with Dr. Michael Gurian (Saving Our Sons; The Minds of Daughters) on rites of passage--strategic experiences that introduce our kids to the adventure of growing up; and 3) Being a grandpa.

Highly influenced by The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I wanted to create a story that was fun, funny, fast-paced, and yet true to the experiences our sons and daughters experience as they begin to transition from childhood to adulthood. 

My main character, Toby Baxter, is a pretty normal about-to-turn-13 7th grader. He's ok at sports. Better at music. And he struggles with proper English grammar. He has no magical powers that he knows of. He has no super powers like his favorite comic book characters. But when he's called upon to be a hero, he, like all of our sons and daughters, has to decide what kind of person he's going to be in those defining moments of life. 

My hope is that kids will read this book with their parents or grandparents and find some moments in the adventure to talk about what the child might do in Toby's shoes. And, perhaps, as many of these great fantasy stories do, this book will reinforce the values that we as parents and grandparents want to instill into our children and grandchildren.

I hope you enjoy the book.
Tim