GUSSY
Being a village Protector is a big job, but Grandpa Widow makes it look easy. As he performs the daily magical Rites that keep the village safe from the Great Dread, Gussy and her dog, Cricket, follow along, learning the ropes so that Gussy can become Protector herself one day.
Then Grandpa Widow is suddenly called away, and Gussy has to step up before she feels ready. On her very first night in charge, a mysterious newcomer arrives in search of shelter, forcing Gussy to break the number-one rule of being a Protector: when the sun goes down, keep the gates shut.
But not everything in Gussy’s village is what it appears to be. And as the Great Dread makes its presence known, and all the villagers turn to Gussy for help, Gussy will have to turn to some surprising allies to save the only home she’s ever known.