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The Boy with the Secret Mark by Uncle Yod — book cover

Children of the Hidden River · Book 1 · Uncle Yod

The Boy with the Secret Mark

What would you do with the power to convince?

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Category
Illustrated fantasy adventure
Setting
Sainahm, the Land of the Returning Rivers
Edition
Colour illustrated digital edition

Inside the book

Narin has a perfectly round mark on his forehead. Some people see a blessing. Others see a boy they could use.

In Sainahm, the Land of the Returning Rivers, a stolen map leads Narin and his friends to a hidden waterway and a dangerous secret. Together, they must question a man everyone trusts.

As rain gathers above their village, Narin faces a choice: make people obey, or help them see the truth.

A warm adventure about friendship, honesty and the courage to do what is right.

Colour illustrations open every chapter, and a page of ideas for family conversations follows the story. Your digital purchase includes the 6 × 9-inch reading PDF with its front cover and no contents page, plus an EPUB with adjustable text.

For yourself or your book club

Questions to take into the conversation

  1. People decide things about Narin because of his mark. What would you want someone to know about you before deciding what you are like?
  2. Narin can make people listen. How does he help them keep the freedom to disagree? When might it be hard to accept someone's no?
  3. Suriya makes promises that sound helpful. What could you look for, or ask, before deciding whether to trust a promise?
  4. Narin and Arya speak up even when it costs them something. Which choice stayed with you? Who could help you speak up about something unfair?
  5. Kiet has something to put right. What can a person do after telling the truth about a wrong choice? Does saying sorry always restore trust at once?
  6. Somchai helps in practical ways. Which quiet act of kindness did you notice? Who does useful things in our family that we sometimes overlook?
  7. What does integrity look like on an ordinary day, when nobody is watching? Choose one small thing we could practise together this week.

Discuss these after reading; answers may reveal parts of the story.