History, magic, and adventure collide in this riveting middle-grade fantasy novel about an unusual boy who discovers his secret past--and the mysterious forces at work to destroy it. Together with a band of witches, Archibald Finch must use his peculiar gifts to save his friends, their world, and himself! Archibald is a nervous boy with a powerful mind. Or so it seems, given the obscure names and facts he retrieves with ease. But Archibald doesn't know how or where he's learned what he knows--a fact that earns him plenty of eye-rolls from his older sister, Hailee. When Archibald's parents move the family from London to a 56-room manor house in the English countryside, he isn't exactly pleased. The house, which used to belong to his grandmother, is huge and creepy and comes with an ogre-like butler. But these turn out to be the least of Archibald's concerns . One day, as he's exploring the cavernous house, Archibald finds a curious globe that whisks him away to another world entirely! While his parents call the authorities, Archibald finds himself on a thrilling adventure full of secrets, twists, and strange beasts, and Hailee, who witnessed her brother's sudden disappearance, embarks on a daring quest find him.