Milo’s father is the Ferryman, delivering the ghosts of the dead to the Island of the Broken Tower, where they rest in peace as long as their shoes go with them. Milo’s sensitivity keeps his father from training him to become a Ferryman; to look upon a ghost is to invite death upon oneself, and he knows it would be difficult for Milo to keep up his guard. After the local Lord’s teenage daughter dies and her mother delivers her shoes to the Ferryman, the Lord demands they be returned to him. He regrets not spending time with his daughter, Gabrielle, and believes his magicians can bring her back to life. Milo’s father refuses to aid such dark magic and is killed by the Lord’s men. With Milo’s older brother taken prisoner, it is up to inexperienced Milo to deliver Gabrielle’s ghost and four others to the island on his own. Milo races their boat toward the island with the Lord’s men and his evil magicians, conjuring dark magic, in pursuit. This thrilling tale is more than a story of good vanquishing evil. It is one of great compassion as Gabrielle’s ghost spurs Milo’s empathy, which helps him see how the Ferryman can do more than deliver the ghosts of the dead; he can also bring comfort to them and those they leave behind. Striking full-page illustrations in black, white, and blue add to the elegance and ambience of this original fairy tale with an all-white cast of characters.