Leif Hagen

Simon Dutton & the Golden Acorn Leif Hagen

Simon Dutton, an 11-year old boy from Minnesota, just wants to spend his summer skateboarding and terrorizing his sisters. But when Simon sees his parents repairing an understandably upset, talking lawn gnome that he smashed in a fit of sister-related rage, events are set into motion that irrevocably change his simple plans for summer. Simon's parents send him to a camp in Cable, Wisconsin, deep in the Northwoods. There Simon and his fellow camp-goers stumble onto a magical, snow-filled winter wonderland full of the finest artisanal gnome chocolates, a dragon's golden acorn, and very grumpy sorcerers. Simon's quick success with magic reaches heights that stun everyone at the camp, himself most of all. As Simon soon learns, his talent with magic is not an accident. Everything Simon thinks he knows about his family and his upbringing is a lie. If Simon is going to save himself and his friends, he needs to find out what the truth is and keep a very powerful weapon out of the wrong hands.--Simon Dutton & The Golden Acorn is explores legends of Norse Mythology, as well as the local area of Hayward and Cable Wisconsin. It features ancient Scandinavian history; modern history of the area, including Telemark Lodge; and the Birkebeiner ski race.