Ravenswood Wildlife Preserve is not your average animal sanctuary. Sure, it's home to deer, rabbits, owls, and other native wildlife. But its deep forests also provide a safe place for out-of-this-world creatures—including a talking ferret, a flying cat, and a shape-shifting wolf! From the magical world of Avalon, they seek protection in Ravenswood.

Their arrival sends friends Emily, Adriane, and Kara on the adventures of their lives. Rachel Roberts' Avalon: Web of Magic series follows the trio as they work to save the animals and their homes—both real and magical.

Read our interview with the author, then start the adventure with Circles in the Stream, the first book in the series!

Rachel Roberts: When I was growing up in northern California, I lived near a lot of wild forest land. My friends and I explored amazing woods, rivers, lakes, and grassy meadows. We saw all kinds of wildlife. It was a magical place. I would imagine that fantastical animals lived there.

Many magical creatures in the books were inspired by real animals like wolves, big cats, wild horses, koalas, and gazelles. Like animals in the real world, unless they get help from human friends, they will become extinct. I can't imagine our world without them. Yet every year, the list of endangered species seems to get bigger. It's up to us to do what we can to save endangered species before it's too late.

KN: What can kids do to help?

RR: Emily, Adriane, and Kara work hard to make Ravenswood a safe place for the magical and native animals alike. They reach out to the kids in their school and everyone in their town. They get the whole community excited about protecting Ravenswood and its residents. Follow their example. It doesn't take magic to share your passion for helping animals and the environment!

Many fans write in and tell me about the fantastic things they're doing. Readers have started recycling, volunteered to pick up litter, fostered stray kittens and puppies, and have gotten involved in serious issues like stopping puppy mills, preserving endangered wild land, and saving whales. Everyone can make a difference.

KN: If Emily, Adriane, and Kara could each say one thing to our readers, what would it be?

RR: As the daughter of a vet, Emily knows how important it is to be a responsible pet owner. Learn everything you can before adopting an animal. Be educated, know what to expect, and choose the right pet for you and your family.

Adriane loves being outside, and thinks that nothing inspires people to take care of animals and the environment like getting out there and enjoying them. Try spending the afternoon in a park or going on a hike. You'll learn firsthand why it's so important to protect wildlife and their wild places.

Kara's dad is the mayor of her town, so she wants to remind everyone that elected officials are there to listen to your concerns. If you think something should be done for the animals and environment in your community, get in touch with your city council members, representatives, or senators. Make your voice heard!

RR: As the Avalon: Web of Magic story arc comes to an exciting conclusion with Book 11: Dark Mage, and Book 12: Full Circle, plans are in motion for continuing the adventures of the Avalon gang with some new stories. There will be new mages, new magic to discover, and plenty of fun. The follow up series to Web of Magic is called Avalon: Shadow Warrior. It's a trilogy featuring Adriane, the mistwolves, and their friends Drake the dragon and his rider, Zach. The second volume of the Avalon manga, The Warlock Diaries, just came out, and I’m working on a second manga series.

KN: Can you tell us about your pets?