The Map to Everywhere

Ryan (the Forest of Hands and Teeth series) teams up with her husband, short fiction author Davis, to launch a series that sees an intrepid girl from Earth teaming up with a colorful cast as they attempt to prevent the end of everything. Trapped aboard a ship sailing the Pirate Stream, a waterway that meanders between myriad worlds, 12-year-old Marrill must help her new friends find the scattered pieces of the Bintheyr Map to Everywhere if she has any hope of getting home. Unfortunately, an ancient, insane wizard also seeks the Map; if he gets it first, he could destroy all of creation. Marrill’s new best friend is Fin, a master thief and orphan who’s literally forgettable, a useful ability for a thief, but one that can make for a lonely existence (Marrill is one of only a few people who recognize him from minute to minute). Fast-paced and imaginative, this adventure combines action with whimsy, injecting emotion and pathos into an otherwise lighthearted romp. It’s a strong start for what promises to be a highly enjoyable series. Ages 8–12. Agent: Merrilee Heifetz, Writers House. (Nov.)