Sword and Backpack

Name: Sword and Backpack
Price: 23.95 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9780593522752

The Three Companions

Gabe Soria, Alfredo Cáceres

$23.95

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Penguin Workshop
01 September 2026

Adventure stories (Children's&YA); Fantasy & magical realism (Children's&YA); People & places (Children's&YA)

Series: Sword & Backpack

Embark on an epic journey with three unlikely companions in this rousing tale of friendship and adventure in book one of a fast-paced, action-packed middle grade fantasy trilogy.

Calling all young Mages, Rogues, and Knights—grab your swords, grab your backpacks, the Grand Age of Adventure is…over. It's over.

In the once-blazing city of Lanternport, the College of the Three Companions was an esteemed institution, but now, for nearly a century, it's stood abandoned. Elsewhere in the city, young Archivist Apprentice Ehmett is fascinated by the College and is determined to discover what knowledge has been lost behind its walls. By chance, or more likely by fate, Ehmett's solo mission to infiltrate the school soon becomes a team endeavor when he is joined by Barten, a sneaky crook with a knack for lock picking, and Kellis, a skilled warrior determined to carry on her family legacy of sword wielding.

After unknowingly binding themselves together, Ehmett, Barten, and Kellis must embark on their Wanderyear—a months-long ""study abroad"" journey that will take them away from Lanternport and into a world filled with magical creatures and ancient lore, on a quest to revive their city's lost spark.

Friendship and the promise of exciting times of old await in this thrilling first book of a fantasy trilogy. Perhaps the Grand Age of Adventure is just beginning…

By: Gabe Soria
Illustrated by: Alfredo Cáceres
Imprint: Penguin Workshop
Country of Publication: United States
Volume: 1
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 278g
ISBN: 9780593522752
ISBN 10: 0593522753
Series: Sword & Backpack
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 01 September 2026
Recommended Age: From 8 to 12 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Gabe Soria is the creator of the Midnight Arcade series and the cocreator of the comic book MegaGhost. He has written for Cartoon Network Books and created the Sword & Backpack RPG from which his latest middle grade series is based. He can be found wandering the streets of New Orleans. Alfredo Cáceres is an author and illustrator from Santiago, Chile. He has worked in picture books, magazines, newspapers and video games. His latest project is a graphic novel that's based on the city of Valdivia, Chile where he grew up between rain and moss.