The Toymaker's Apprentice

In this enchanting retelling of The Nutcracker, award-winning author Sherri L. Smith makes her middle-grade debut with the story of Stefan Drosselmeyer, a reluctant apprentice to a toymaker. When his father is kidnapped, Stefan is joined by his enigmatic cousin Christian on a thrilling quest to find a mythical nut that can save a princess transformed into a wooden doll. Their journey through Germany is fraught with danger as they confront the sinister Mouse Queen and her seven-headed Mouse Prince, all while uncovering a world filled with toymaking, magical curses, and talking animals.