The Dwarf on the Mountain — Kenneth McDonald

To her uncle and the other people of her village Violetta Usken is still just a child. She lacks the power to do anything to stop the bandits who come every year to take what they want and hurt those who dare to resist. But this year she has decided that something needs to be done. The stories told in her village suggest that the ancient and solitary dwarf who lives on the mountain has magical powers. Violetta's uncle denies that the stories are true, but surely there must be a reason why the village elders forbid anyone from going up the mountain? With nothing left to lose, one girl tries to seek out a savior for her suffering people. But the old man on the mountain holds his own secrets, hiding a truth even more dangerous than the problems of one troubled village.