When Cass and his mother move to the upper floor in an old house, a great curiosity develops about Mr. Magnus, who lives on the ground floor.

Cass and a new friend Maddy are initiated into the secret world of alchemy and the mysterious search for true meaning as they befriend the old man.

Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award

Winner of the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award

Co-winner of the IODE Book Award - National Chapter