The Ember Stone: A Branches Book (the Last Firehawk #1)

Magic, fantasy, and adventure combine to create this fast-paced series perfect for young readers

Pick a book. Grow a Reader

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow

A terrible darkness is spreading across Perodia. Thorn, a powerful vulture, is using dark magic (and his dark army of spies ) to destroy the magical land. A young owl named Tag may be the only one who can save it Tag dreams of one day becoming a brave warrior, but he is small . . . In this first book, Tag and his best friend -- a squirrel named Skyla -- meet the last firehawk. Together, the three friends learn about a magical stone. Could this stone be powerful enough to defeat Thorn? This action-packed series makes a great introduction to fantasy and quest stories for newly independent readers. Realistic black-and-white artwork appears on every page

Katrina Charman was the recipient of the SCBWI British Isles’ Margaret Carey scholarship for fiction in 2013, and in 2014 she was one of the winners of the SCBWI’s Undiscovered Voices competition. Katrina’s first children’s book, the early reader The Ninjabread Man, was published with Franklin Watts (UK) in July 2015. The Last Firehawk is her first early chapter book series. Katrina lives in South East England with her husband and three daughters.



Jeremy Norton is a British illustrator who lives and works in Barcelona, Spain. The Last Firehawk is the first early chapter book series he has illustrated. He works digitally, and aims to convey a childlike sense of wonder through his artwork.