Though born on Earth, Joel McCowan grew up on the Moon. He lives with his father, who is supposed to be a mining consultant . . .  even though he makes a lot of mysterious journeys around the Moon, back to Earth, and to other solar system colonies.

One day, Joel receives a coded message from his father warning that Joel is in danger. His father does not return home as scheduled and sends no further word.

While taking refuge with his high school friend Cary, Joel barely escapes from an attack by ominous men in black. He and Cary are off on a race for survival to the Moon port, and then on a wild flight from danger. The pursuit—as well as a continuing search for Joel’s father—takes them back to Earth, to Mars, and eventually to Mercury.

Along the way, they encounter dangerous adversaries, a mysterious ally, and a solar-system-wide conspiracy that extends to the highest levels of government and could change the future of Earth and its colonies.

Collected here are five engaging and enduring tales of Santa Claus from the pen of children’s author L. Frank Baum, best known for his Land of Oz series. From “Little Bun Rabbit,” who visited Santa’s workshop, to the Wogglebug and his friends from the Sunday paper comic pages making toys for Santa to give to children everywhere, Baum created a legacy that has lived in our hearts for more than a century.

Writing to entertain his own children, Baum also captured the imaginations of children across the globe with his images of Santa and his reindeer, stockings by the chimney, and a magical trip around the world in a single night.

Here, in The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, will you learn how Claus found his life’s mission making children happy, how he became the Patron Saint of Children, and how he earned immortality.

In the short story, “A Kidnapped Santa Claus,” you’ll discover what happens when Claus is taken—on Christmas eve as he’s starting his journey!—by Daemons who are determined to deny joy to the children of the world and instead spread Envy, Selfishness, Malice, and Hatred.

This excerpt from The Road to Oz brings Santa to Princess Ozma’s birthday party in Emerald City. He knows all the children, of course, including Dorothy, who’s come to visit with her dog Toto.

Baum’s Santa stories may have been written for children, but they will appeal to anyone of any age who still understands the magic and joy of Christmas.