Hanno, Ira, Bowman, Kestrel and Pinpin Hath are an unhappy family in the world of Aramanth, ruled over by Maslo Inch and his Examiners. Life there is strictly regulated. From the age of two, every citizen must sit regular examinations, the results of which dictate the entire family's social standing, right down to what they can wear. Everyone must live by the Oath of Dedication, they must 'strive harder to reach higher. ' But there is no soul in Aramanth and Kestrel and her twin brother are becoming increasingly rebellious. Kestrel is drawn to the wind singer, an ancient statue which stands in the city's square which, myth has it, used to sing until the evil spirit lord, the Morah, stole its voice. Somehow Kestrel knows that to restore happiness to Aramanth, she must restore the voice of the wind singer. She embarks on a dangerous and thrilling mission with Bowman but they also find Mumpo in tow. Mumpo is the school dunce who nobody likes but who adores Kestrel. As their journey progresses, they pass through many diiferent lands and meet some very strange races. Each step of the way they learn that there is more to the world than their walled city, which other races laugh at and regard as some sort of prison. Helped by the Mudpeople, relentlessly pursued by the Old Children and fighting off the wild and blood-thirsty Omchakas and Ombarakas, the children finally face a showdown with the Morah and its unstoppable army of beautiful young Zars. Stepping through fire and aided by the ancient animals of the forests surrounding the palace of the Morah, they manage to find the voice of the wind singer. In an exhilirating race against time and the Zars, they use every ounce of courage to get back to Aramanth. In a gloriously happy final scene, they give the wind singer back its voice and the spell of Morah is broken. Happiness reigns again in Aramanth.