Rowan and the Travelers by Emily Rodda (Hardback, 2001)

The wise woman seems terrified, and her cryptic message frightens Rowan. He is wondering who the enemy could be, when suddenly the people of Rin begin falling asleep--and t waking up.

What is the strange spell that has settled over Rin? If Rowan can only figure out the meaning hidden in the wise woman's words, he may be able to save his people from this mysterious sleep and from an even worse danger to come....

The Travelers offer to help, but Rowan doesn't kw if he can trust them. They suggest that the answer lies in the legendary, xious Pit of Unrin, and living thing has ever entered Unrin and returned. If Rowan tackles its unkwn hazards, will he find the kwledge he seeks? Will he even survive? Rowan needs wisdom to decide whom to trust, bravery to face the perils of his journey, and both to defeat Rin's deadly secret enemy.