Young Guardians' Circle: Treasure Hunters in New York

by Kellie Veil

Ten-year-old Asher Shine lives in New York City and has always been a collector — coins, monster cards, seashells — anything with a story to tell. But when a mysterious black and white cat leads him to an ancient silver owl coin in the winding streets of Athens, he has no idea that he's about to become part of a story spanning centuries.

Upon returning to his Upper West Side apartment in Manhattan, Asher discovers that the owl coin was just the beginning. A mysterious package arrives containing an ancient compass with five indentations — one perfectly matching his owl coin. Inside is a cryptic riddle leading to the famous lions outside the New York Public Library.

Meanwhile, across the courtyard of Asher's pre-war apartment building lives Marcus Chen, a quiet boy from a rival school who defeated Asher in a chess tournament months ago. Their paths cross again when both boys find themselves drawn to the same glass case at the American Museum of Natural History.

As they join forces, Asher and Marcus discover they're both being recruited by a secret society of collectors and protectors of historical treasures. Together, they must locate five mysterious pieces that, when brought together, will reveal the location of something extraordinary.

With each discovery, the boys are pulled deeper into a world where artifacts defy time, cats slip effortlessly between realms, and unseen forces race to claim the very same treasures.

But just as they discover the fourth piece, Marcus mysteriously disappears, leaving only frantic messages.

With summer approaching, Asher sees his chance to follow the compass's eastward pull and uncover the truth about Marcus, the Dragon Circle, and the missing fifth piece that might be waiting halfway around the world. With the mysterious cat reappearing after months of absence, Asher realizes that the adventure is only beginning...


Young Guardians' Circle is a middle-grade novel that combines mystery, friendship, and magical realism against the backdrop of New York City. It is the first book of the Guardians' Circle series.

Perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and the 39 Clues series.

168 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Kellie Veil is the author of Young Guardians' Circle, a debut fantasy adventure novel and the first book of a three-part series that bridges imagination and real-life adventures for young readers. Having lived between the United States and South Korea throughout her life, while traveling to many parts of the world since a young age, Kellie brings a rich, bicultural perspective to her storytelling—infusing her work with Eastern philosophical depth and Western narrative dynamism.

Before turning to writing, she spent many years in the fast-paced world of finance. Now, she passionately explores art, culture, and storytelling, dedicated to nurturing young people with empathy, curiosity, and a strong sense of responsibility. Through her creative work, she aims to foster imagination and emotional intelligence in young people, helping them grow into thoughtful, independent individuals.

A resident of New York City for over two decades, Kellie is a frequent museum-goer, art enthusiast, avid traveler, and lifelong learner. She draws inspiration from the intersections of creativity and innovation fueled by art, history, and modern technology. Through her writing, she hopes to inspire young minds to look beyond boundaries and believe in the power of courage, kindness, and imagination.

Reviews

[Michelle Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. The characters are engaging. I enjoyed the history and the side stories. Left on a cliff hanger so I’m hoping there is a second book. Thank you to Goodreads for the giveaway. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Laura]

When I started reading this book, the first part of the chapters where the author wrote about the old stories kind of confused me, but in the end, it all came together. I really connected with the characters, but did get the characters Marcus and Maximus mixed up for a second since they were so close to the same name. It definitely left me wanting more as the story didn't end. Can't wait for the 2nd book. Good job Kellie Veil. My granddaughter is going to love this series when I pass this book on to her.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

*well-written, easy to read
*fun and enjoyable
*kept my interest from cover to cover
*highly recommend