When Theodoreamprsquos safe predictable world is destroyed his lifeampmdashand his faithampmdashare in danger Thirteenyearold Theodore has lived in China all his life and never felt terror until his fatheramprsquos missionary settlement is attacked and burned in the night. Theodore follows his fatheramprsquos orders and hides in the forest only creeping back the next morning to see if anythingampmdashor anyoneampmdashhas survived. But before he reaches the smoldering wreckage he runs into the formidable Mrs. Jones a botanist and adventurer whoamprsquos traveling across China on horseback with her young companion Lung. The three head into the Himalayan foothills where a mountainside escape puts them at the mercy of the Lama Amchi. The holy man seems interested in Theodore and leads the group to an extraordinary hidden monastery. But deep in the mountains with winter coming and monks following their every move will rescue come at a price Are Theodore and his friends honored guestsampmdashor prisoners