The Belt of Deltora by Emily Rodda

THis book is about a boy named Leif. Leif lives with his father Jarred, and his mother Anna. When Jarred was a little boy, his best friend Endon bacame king. When someone becomes the next king of Del, you have to put on 'The Belt of Deltora'. The belt of Deltora is made out of steel. On the steel are seven gems. The Diamond, Emerald, Topaz, and 4 more gems. But when Endon became king his assistant/helper was one of the shadow lord's servants. The shadow lord is a bad person who pretty much likes to destroy things for fun. Endon's helper was branded with the shadow lord's mark. Leif intends to go and collect all the gems and give the belt with all the gems to Endon, the proper king. The shadow lord had taken all the gems and scattered them in places people wouldn't want to go. Jarred gets Leif a companion for his long journey. Barda the Beggar. Barda and Leif set out for the Forest of Silence. Danger waits there for them. Will Leif and Barda live through the danger? Read the book and you will find out!