I’m thrilled to announce that Legend of the Forest Beast, the third book in the Sir Kaye the Boy Knight series of chapter books has won the silver medal in the pre-teen general fiction category of this year’s (2016) Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

The series follows the exploits of Sir Kaye, a twelve-year-old knight in the fictional medieval land of Knox, as he tries to prove he is worthy of his early knighthood and to find his place in the world. Along the way he and his best friends, Reggie and Beau, encounter thrilling adventures, which they face with courage, loyalty, and a lot of ingenuity.

Legend of the Forest Beast finds Kaye, Reggie, and Beau on their first adventure outside the queen’s castle. On a quest to find their missing tutor, they find themselves attempting to infiltrate a mysterious manor house on the edge of a sinister forest where nearby villagers live in terror of a deadly monster. As they investigate the mystery of the forest beast, they uncover a terrible plot that could destroy Knox. When there’s no one to turn to for help, can they save the kingdom—and their lives—by themselves?

This is the second medal from the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards for the Kaye series, since book one, The Knighting of Sir Kaye, also received the silver medal back in 2013.

The Moonbeam Awards recognize the year’s best children’s books and are chosen by judging panels of book reviewers, librarians, teachers, and students. “This year’s winners are more diverse than ever, with inspiring messages that encourage kids to be kind, courageous, and to live healthy lives,” says Awards Director Jim Barnes.

Each of the 159 medalists possesses a distinctive quality that motivated the judges to award them amongst fierce competition, 1,500 entries in all.