Books Tell You Why, Inc.

A fine first printing of the first edition in equally fine, illustrated dust jacket, priced at $16.95. Scarce in the first printing..

Every year, the people of the protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind. Xan rescues the children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey (from the dust jacket).

This book was awarded the 2017 John Newbery Medal; 8vo; [x], 388, [2] pages.