11-year-old Forrest lives at the Tower of London prison, where his father tends the Tower ravens and guards inmates. Forrest's only friends are his pet raven, his father's prisoners (who all end up dead), and Ned, the young rat catcher. Soon Forrest's father gets a new prisoner: Maddie, the beautiful daughter of a Scottish spy. Immediately Forrest and Maddie become friends. But when she is slated for execution, Forrest must make some painful choices: Should he commit treason to help her escape, or obey the law and let his innocent friend be hung?

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised by the Carolyn W Field Award. It was recognised by the Great Stone Face Book Award. It also was recognised in the YA category by the Golden Sower Award. It was recognised in the Intermediate category by the Grand Canyon Reader Award. Also it was recognised in the Grades 4-6 category by the Black-Eyed Susan Award. It was recognised by the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award. It was recognised in the Grades 6-8 category by the Sunshine State Young Reader's Award. It was recognised in the Grades 4-6 category by the Volunteer State Book Award. It was recognised in the Intermediate category by the Nutmeg Book Award. It was recognised by the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award.

There are 240 pages in this book. This book was published 2003 by Scholastic .

The bestselling author of GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SOCKS and THE RAVENMASTER'S SECRET, Woodruff has written more than twenty books for children, including picture books, historical fiction, and lighthearted fantasy. Her numerous school visits each year are popular with kids and teachers. The sequel to GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SOCKS, GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SPY, will be published in November 2010. She lives with her family in Martin's Creek, Pennsylvania. Barbara McClintock has written and/or illustrated many acclaimed books for young readers, among them Ad le & Simon , an ALA Notable Book, a Children's Book Sense Pick, and a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. She lives in Windham, Connecticut. Jim Aylesworth has written many books for young readers, including The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock and Mother Halverson's New Cat. Of The Goodnight Kiss, Booklist has said his "melodic story. with its strings of prepositional phrases and its elusive sense of connectedness will mesmerize kids. " Mr. Aylesworth marks his proudest accomplishments as having been a first-grade teacher for nearly twenty-five years. He lives with his family in Hinsdale, Illinois.